Toyota Crown Kluger

Model Overview

The Crown Kluger is FAW Toyota's flagship D-segment SUV, built on Toyota’s premium TNGA-K platform as the sister model to GAC Toyota's Highlander under the brand’s "twin-vehicle strategy" in China. Unlike the Highlander's mass-market global positioning, the Crown Kluger inherits the premium DNA of the Toyota Crown sub-brand, catering to a dual positioning of "accessible luxury family hauler and light executive transport". On 18 October 2025, the 2026 Crown Kluger was officially launched with 6 available variants spanning 2.0T petrol and 2.5L petrol-electric hybrid powertrains, with official price tags ranging from RM284,800 to RM332,800. As an annual model refresh, the 2026 lineup retains its existing pricing while gaining comprehensive upgrades across comfort and smart tech amenities.

Design Language

The 2026 Crown Kluger retains the Crown family's signature flagship design language. Up front, it sports a bold polygonal front grille with a black honeycomb mesh or vertical waterfall slats, punctuated by the exclusive Crown emblem at the centre. This sets it distinctly apart from the Highlander's horizontal grille, exuding a far more commanding, upmarket road presence. Flanking the grille are wing-style full-LED adaptive headlights with sequential turn indicators, while the lower front apron features a three-section layout accented by a full-width chrome strip and front splitter, visually widening the front stance. For 2026, a factory-custom dual-tone black-and-gold paint option is newly offered.

In profile, the SUV exhibits clean, sculpted proportions highlighted by a split waistline. It measures 5,015 mm long, 1,930 mm wide, and 1,750 mm tall, with a wheelbase of 2,850 mm. It stretches 50 mm longer than the Highlander, complemented by a flat roofline and blacked-out D-pillars for a floating roof effect. The rear end is fitted with split LED taillights and a full-width chrome garnish, neatly rounded off by a dual exhaust exit on the right.

Inside, the 2026 model boasts a wraparound, layered cockpit architecture. Standard across the range are a 12.3-inch full digital instrument cluster and a 15.6-inch floating central touchscreen. Range-topping trims are powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8155 processor. A leather-wrapped steering wheel and 64-colour dynamic ambient lighting come as standard across all variants.

Powertrain and Performance

The 2026 Crown Kluger is available with two powertrain setups. The 2.0T petrol variant runs a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbocharged engine producing 182 kW (248 PS) and 380 Nm of torque, paired with an 8-speed torque-converter automatic gearbox and an on-demand all-wheel-drive system as standard. Meanwhile, the 2.5L petrol-electric hybrid features Toyota’s THS setup, combining a 2.5-litre naturally aspirated engine with an electric motor. The combustion engine outputs 139 kW and 236 Nm; the 2WD model gets a 134 kW front motor, while the AWD model adds a 40 kW rear-axle motor. Total system output stands at 181 kW (approx. 246 PS), delivered via an E-CVT. The hybrid achieves an impressive WLTC combined fuel consumption of just 5.82 L/100 km.

Chassis and Handling

Underpinned by the TNGA-K platform, the Crown Kluger utilises a front MacPherson strut and rear E-type multi-link independent suspension setup. Chassis tuning is comfort-biased, delivering composed ride quality and solid bump absorption. Hybrid AWD variants feature the E-Four electronic AWD system, using an independent rear electric motor to provide instantaneous traction on wet or slippery surfaces. It has a minimum turning radius of 6.1 metres, neatly balancing plush family cruising with agile city driving.

Cabin and Features

The intelligent cabin takes centre stage in this 2026 refresh. The infotainment system supports wireless Apple CarPlay, CarLife, and Huawei HiCar, alongside a quad-zone intelligent voice command system. All 2026 variants now get a 50W wireless smartphone charging pad and 64-colour ambient lighting as standard. Select high-spec models gain rear acoustic glass and a transparent chassis display (underbody view); the 2.5HEV 4WD Premium and 2.0T 4WD Jingyao variants add ventilated front seats; while the 2.5HEV 4WD Flagship receives a front passenger chauffeur switch (Boss Button) and face recognition. The entire range comes in a 2+3+2 seven-seater layout, offering around 500 litres of boot space in standard 7-seat configuration, expandable to 1,600 litres with the second and third rows folded flat. There are 21 practical storage compartments throughout the cabin.

Safety and Driver Assistance

On the safety front, the Crown Kluger is equipped with Toyota Safety Sense (TSS) 3.0 and 9 airbags (including a driver's knee airbag) as standard across the range. The active safety suite features Full-Speed Range Dynamic Radar Cruise Control, Pre-Collision System (with pedestrian detection), Lane Tracing Assist, Lane Departure Alert, Safe Exit Assist, and Rear Cross Traffic Alert, achieving Level 2 (L2) semi-autonomous driving capabilities. Mid-to-high variants are further elevated with a Panoramic View Monitor (PVM with transparent underfloor view) and a Head-Up Display (HUD). Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) comes standard across all trims.

Market Performance and Verdict

The Crown Kluger remains one of the consistent performers in China's mid-size three-row SUV segment. It recorded total sales of 59,902 units in 2025, up 14% year-on-year, with September 2025 alone logging 4,822 units. By employing a "more kit for the same price" strategy—substantially upgrading high-value amenities across the board without touching the price list—the 2026 model sharpens its competitive edge. Motoring critics highlight that its key selling points lie in the Crown nameplate's prestige, the outstanding fuel economy of the 2.5L hybrid system, the pliant yet solid ride of the TNGA-K platform, as well as the standard TSS 3.0 suite with 9 airbags. On the downside, the third row remains best reserved for short trips rather than long-distance touring. As FAW Toyota's flagship SUV offering, the Crown Kluger leverages the heritage of the "Crown" badge alongside the proven reliability shared with the Highlander, cementing its firm foothold in the RM284,800 to RM332,800 joint-venture 7-seater SUV arena.