All it boils down to is a small light FWD vehicle can get up a slope a large heavy FWD vehicle can't, you're looking at a difference in mass of about a tonne (roughly 100% the mass of the Polo) yet without a corresponding increase in traction - the Kluger will always suffer. I've been on forest trails that an old Laser or the like could traverse but anything short of a Landrover would have trouble with - being small and light is extremely beneficial, as long as you avoid the big holes/mounds and don't lose traction. Of course, put off-road tyres on the Kluger (chances are the test was done with normal tarmac tyres which are hopeless off-road) and have some variety of locking diff, and even a FWD one can go reasonably far. But put a FWD and a 4WD equivalent in the same circumtance, and the 4WD will _always_ go further. haha, toyota announced the same excuse as you "heavy". But from the customer's point, They do not wish how many off road ability for the FWD highlander. At least, it is not worse than 1.4 polo.