√Even bigger Toyota Kluger caught on camera in the US

Spy photos show a larger version of the Toyota Kluger SUV testing in the US, reportedly launching in North America next year as the Grand Highlander.

A super-sized version of the Toyota Kluger has been caught on camera in the US, with overseas reports suggesting it will become the Japanese car giant’s latest three-row, seven-seat SUV.

According to US publication Carscoops, the heavily-camouflaged SUV is expected to enter production next year as the Toyota Grand Highlander – a larger variant of what we know as the Toyota Kluger.

The US-built Toyota Kluger is badged Highlander in markets outside Australia, due to Hyundai holding the local trademark to the Highlander name (applied to its flagship variants of the Kona, Palisade, Santa Fe, Staria and Tucson).

Toyota’s Grand Highlander is understood to be based on a larger version of the TNGA-K platform which underpins the current Kluger, Camry and RAV4 – allowing it to compete against other large SUVs in the US such as the Ford Explorer and Volkswagen Atlas.

As previously reported, the Toyota Kluger is available as a seven-seater in Australia and the US, although it offers less third-row space than SUV rivals such as the Hyundai Palisade.

In the US, the Toyota Sequoia is the Japanese car-maker’s largest SUV, although it is underpinned by body-on-frame chassis – shared with the Tundra pick-up and LandCruiser 300 Series – rather than the Kluger’s modern unibody platform.

Given the extensive camouflage seen on this prototype, it is hard to tell whether the Grand Highlander will share any body panels with the Kluger.

The two exhaust tips (one on each side of the bumper) were reportedly designed to allow for more space in the third row of seats, helping to expand the Kluger’s 241-litre boot.

Details about what engines will power the Grand Highlander are expected to be announced closer to its reported mid-2023 reveal.

In May 2022, Toyota announced Kluger’s 3.5-litre V6 petrol engine would be replaced by a new 2.4-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine.

Toyota Australia has confirmed the engine changes are due to apply to locally-delivered Klugers from early 2023.

From January to the end of September 2022, the Toyota Kluger has been the 18th best-selling new car in Australia with 10,124 examples reported as sold.

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