Taka

Good review. Agree with all points. But I have to add about the CX-9: RE: Styling: Yes it looks heaps good, but it so long that will take up the whole of the empty standard garage, and you may not have space to open the boot. RE: Interior: CX-9 interior is not as durable as you look. The piano black plus silver trim on the side look great when they are new but it is very easy to get damaged. The demo model I have seen is always scratched badly. Yes it is good compare with the KX-S, but I think even the fake wood parts are better than the CX-9. At least they still look fake after some UV damage RE: Display: I think the Red display is extremely hard to read in the CX-9, they are tilted down in an angle for a dwarf. Even I used to one everyday for the last 5 years. They are old looking even I started to have one 5 years ago in the Mazda 6, also RX-8, Mazda 3 and the new 2 too I think. RE: Reverse camera. Yes it is a 9" display even in the classic model. BUT it is located in the side, left of the number plate and you have to adjust (left to right). Unless you are a fighter jet pilot. I think it is hard to do. 3" screen work better if you can tell where you are. (lucky I have a full size reverse :) ) RE: Conclusion: I think KX-R is a better choice for Kluger for the price, particularly you are looking at 2WD. Between KX-S and CX-9 Luxury. I will choose CX-9 if you have space to park, don't plan to go offroad or the snow, and prepare not to complain about the fuel economy. It is actually a far superior car in the city. And audio rocks! Love the Bose.

Not much different from me whether I am using 91 RON or 97 RON. Mine is Grande 4WD EDIT: Mine driving is 10% highway (Eastern Fwy) and around Eastern suburb in mildly congested roads. This is my last 5 runs Current run 14.6L/100km - mixed of 91 and 97 Shell (half/half) Prev 1 14.7L/100km- 97 pure Prev 2 14.4L/100km- mixed 91 (Mobile) and 97 Shell Prev 3 10.8L/100km- 91 on long trip Prev 4 16.1L/100km- 91 alone Prev 5 15.5L/100km- first tank (dealership special juice)

CX-9 cannot compare with the Grande 4WD unless they spec up. So it will only be good with a 4WD KX-S. So the spec are similar and Kluger is cheaper. I think Kluger has hill descent and it is a better off roader that makes me feel better. I think Mazda will have an edge in the city only car but once it goes off road or tow, I will def go for the Toyota. I am already bias, coz I own Mazdas for many years. CX-9 should not be 2000kg towing cap, while the rest of the world is 3500lbs (1600kg), which is the same for CX-7; that is a bit sus on that.

Brooke, you sounds more mature than 19. You are better than most of the 20-something year old I worked with

Thanks More pics Power door in action

It is taken in my trip to Wilson's Prom. Linky http://au.toyotaownersclub.com/forums/inde...showtopic=13207

Here

Not at the moment. I think the CX-9 is compare well with an KX-S since they have no Sat Nav (yet), no DVD, no smart entry, no power rear door, not a constant 4WD, no hill ascent and hill descent features (so it is less of a off roader) Blue tooth is optional but not integrated to the audio unit. So it is more like the KX-S. The engine has more torque and power than Kluger's engine but drinks more (13L/100km). My RX-8 quoted 12,6L and let me tell you ..... The car drives better on the road but it feels twice as big, just because it is longer in the front makes in visibly longer inside. I am looking forward to an official report.

Here they are Rear power door http://content.toyota.co.nz/toyota/_campai...rear_hatch.html Second (Third) row seats http://content.toyota.co.nz/toyota/_campai...row_center.html Interior The audio is different from the KX-S http://content.toyota.co.nz/toyota/_campai..._amenities.html Safety http://content.toyota.co.nz/toyota/_campai...eos/safety.html Look like it is a LHD car?

A timer is never an overkill. You know people have stat up that we will spend 3 years of our life times waiting for our dates/partner to get ready. Hang on it actually says womens spend 3 years of their life time to get ready to go out.

I have AWD of course. I doubt the drive train makes a lot of difference in the way that the car dips in and turn on minimum throttle. It does push in couple of occasions on moderate speed around corners... as I said it is not a sports car although I own at least one all my life! Believe me... I will not drive the same if I were driving an XC90. The according driver was quick and I keep up with him by driving faster than most of people do in those brand on a normal sedan. The car is still within the limit and never comes close of losing traction. The tyres are bad as I though either. Lucky my wife enjoyed my driving.

Driving Impression: The car is rock solid The engine perform beautifully although some hill I did not expect the automatic not to downshift but it did. Prob need a 6th gear and closer ratio. The fuel consumption though is very good. On highway with crap normal unleaded, it does 10.2 on highway and 10.8 for the whole trip (from home - back home). The steering light and responsive. I like the driving position and even I drove 3 hour straight with twisties, I have holding just ok. Kluger is a grand tourer. The suspension though need a slight work up. Although there is a little lean but the traction is as solid as I expect from a 2 tonne high in the ground mobile. The lean does not affect the traction but I think it is the height of the front end is. I think dropping the front, with sacrificing the ground clearance and off road entry angle, you can have a much better drive. There is a slight understeer (push) when you enter as far as I would normally for the Mazda 3 SP23 or the RX-8 (haha). But I can keep up a fast FWD (a Honda Accord Euro). I think keeping up is not just 90% driver. There is at least 10% of the car involve Love the car! I cannot think of anything negative about it so far.

Day 2 going to Wilson's Prom Top of the hill We can get any off - road opportunity we can get Dirty car needs a clean. The whole trip cost just over a tank of petrol

Day 1. I started off on a RX-8 cruise, since I am the President of the club I had to turn up. Had my official appearance and chat. Then we went to Off road driving. Cape Lintrap Lighthouse Lintrap Then we arrive the Venous Bay

I am looking for a dealer in the US who is willing to shift overseas. Keep hunting.

If you are game Tae, you can cut the tip of the stock exhaust tip and weld a 3" pipe in . Or go genuine... Link here http://www.toyota.com/highlander/accessories.html. This is the CX-9's

Agree. PITA. Same for bluetooth.

How. Toyota like genuine products not hacks haha

Hi there. Same colour and same car! Although it is a dealer's car. Welcome Brooke. Have not been to Warrambool for a long time (last time I was in my bicycle 5 years ago, riding from Adelaide). Awesome town, not that country IMO.

That will be a big bonus if I know how to see the characters. I currently use iTune to burn it and folders works fine, just there is no name to them.

Mine does not work because I have some not workable characters (ie Japanese and Chinese characters) on them. So they won't so up. Songs with English titles should be ok... since my children's Hi-5 songs are fine. Taymor Welcome. I guess I speak on the Grande's behalf coz I don't know how the KX-S work or even have this function. You have to enter the voice recognition the same way you do for some Mobile Phone. So you go to the stored phone number in the car (enter edit via phone book. And choose the number you want to add voice to). The voice recogition set up is in the bottom of the screen. Follow the prompt (speak clearly to record). And you will be set to go. The car need you to speak more than 2 seconds for each clip, but I found this function appaulingly bad. I meant they can recognised "wife mobile" into "Balwyn Home" <_<

No speed calculations No hacks for DVD yet :damn: Yes you can play sound when you have a FM transmitter (not for sound quality). Folder thing is software. You have to put the song in "folders" to make it work. SatNav is better than some models I have seen. I will not pay for the Volvo Sat Nav e.g.

I just quote it again with the same info, the only difference is the car is 1 month old. $778!

From the tire calculator: You can go straight to the 19" with 245/55 R19 available in the KX-S and Grande. So it is a real option. I won't downsize mine. hehe. If you go 20", you have to go something like 245/50 R20, which I don't know who carry that size. If you want aftermarket wheel. Make sure the offset is right. Factory Highlander is 35mm. I think it will be the same here since the wheel looks the same. http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/showthre...ighlight=offset

http://www.drive.com.au/Editorial/MiniSite...mp;MiniSiteID=6 I first brought the Holden Barina for my wife (Wheels car of the year 2001), then my RX-8 (Wheels car of the year 2003) and this... DCOTY... may be the little K has a chance this year, not the Ford Territory