UMW Toyota Motor (UMWT) recently announced and previewed the Toyota Harrier in Malaysia. The Japanese-market SUV, one of the most popular models in the grey market, will be sold by our official Toyota distributor for the first time, following the footsteps of luxury MPVs Alphard and Vellfire.
UMWT’s order books have been open for the 2.0T Premium priced at RM238,000 and the 2.0T Luxury at RM259,900, both on-the-road without insurance. The Harrier’s official presence here follows a similar debut in Singapore, and the car you see here is a Singaporean-spec 2.0 Turbo Premium G model featuring minor spec differences.
Buying an official Harrier will net you the latest facelifted model that surfaced in Japan in June this year, powered by the 2.0 litre turbo engine from the Lexus NX. The 8AR-FTS makes 231 PS from 5,200 to 5,600 rpm and 350 Nm of torque between 1,650 and 4,000 rpm – all sent to the front wheels via a six-speed automatic gearbox.
Toyota claims fuel economy of 13 km/l on the Japanese JC08 cycle, and there are also “performance” dampers to reduce roll and improve high-speed stability. This engine offers a big step up in performance over the 2.0 litre Valvematic NA engine and CVT combo found in most grey import units – the advantage is 79 PS and 144 Nm, UMWT points out. Of course, there’s also the 6AT vs CVT difference.
Built on the same platform that also underpins the latest RAV4, this latest Harrier is no longer related to the Lexus RX, which has been spun off into a completely separate model. Dimensions include a length of 4,720 mm, a width of 1,835 mm and a height of 1,690 mm, along with a wheelbase of 2,660 mm.
Changes to the facelifted model include triple-projector LED headlights with sequential indicators, flanking a new upper grille design. There’s also a wider lower grille incorporating LED fog lights, vertical LED daytime running lights, red-tinted LED tail lights, a redesigned rear valence and a visible exhaust pipe with a chrome finisher, plus 18-inch dual-tone alloy wheels with a five-spoke turbine design.
On the inside, there’s new Ultrasuede and faux leather upholstery and carbon-weave metal trim; the Luxury variant gets Nappa leather and brushed aluminium not seen here. There’s also an electronic parking brake with an auto brake hold function, as well as a driver’s seat that slides back automatically to improve ingress and egress, both of which are new on the facelifted model.
Other features include a new height-adjustable powered tailgate, a panoramic sunroof and ventilated power-adjustable front seats with driver’s side memory (not found on this Singapore-spec show unit). These items are only available on the Luxury model.
We’ll also get plenty of safety equipment onboard, headlined by the standard-fit Toyota Safety Sense driver assists including Pre-Collision System (autonomous emergency braking), active cruise control and auto high beam. We’ll also get the full complement of seven airbags and VSC.
It’s not explicit, but UMWT’s video seems to be a reminder for interested parties to wait for the better deal, which comes with a factory five-year unlimited-mileage warranty and “guaranteed parts supply for the next 10 years.” Other benefits include a fully-localised infotainment system with switchgear. Of course, UMWT’s highly-specified Harrier is also the latest facelifted model with the turbo engine, but the catch is that you’ll have to wait awhile for it.
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(Like) BMW X1.
(Dislike) Toyota Harrier
RM260k for a Toyota is absurd when you can get a Honda CRV and a Mazda CX5 for half the price.
This is UMW brain. Quite expected cause see who owns UMW. Gomen owned. Still dont know how to do business.
But then gomen owned DRB pulak knows how to do business. So it balances everything out. Natural order has been restored.
U mean DRB proton? Okay….
harrier is fully imported, whereas CR-V and CX 5 is locally assembled… tat why price different.
I will get a pre reg XC90 at about the same price although i like the look and luxury of CX9 more.
I’d rather buy a Toyota than a BMW. Thats not fair act. I’d rather buy a Mercedes than a BMW. For Japan car, I prefer Toyota than Honda or Mazda. UMW has improved slightly. Remember when they sold Estima priced at 250k but only 2 airbags and no traction control, while our neighbour in S’pore could get full spec Estima? Good job UMW. But still not enough. I’d like to see spec-by-spec comparison between Japan and Malaysia models. Then, price comparison.
Get a grey CBU from 3rd party at half the price with the higher Japan made quality which will last as last your breath and you wont cry to enrich the bank.
UMW Lexus warranty 》all
I dont want to say that the grey imported is not good. But driving in it have the feeling of driving a second hand car. Maybe it is suitable for anyone that like to change car frequently. Also, maybe suitable for people that do not care much abt the car. I’ve met several owners of Alphard and Vellfire that they bought at a price slightly higher than 200k (grey imported but not too old) but only use mineral oil and even semi-synt oil for engine oil.
the grey import harrier has been selling for 210k-240k, that is the Toyota Altis Engine, so to get the 2.0T engine, i’m sure it’d be same or more than UMW pricing.
plus, you might have to wait longer for grey import to bring in the Japanese spec 2.0T, and you will still have issues like Radio incompatibility & 180km/h speedometer & less warranty from importers and more importantly, a 2nd hand car.
Turbo 2.0L engine: Powerful enough.
5 years warranty: Peace of mind.
Localised HU: No fumbling in Japanese anymore.
Front wheel drive: What? On a 260k SUV!?! You must be kidding me!
NX and even RX are also Front Wheel Drive. maybe RX has 4WD option but in the end it’s still front wheel oriented 4WD.
What an unwanted old design engine from Lexus NX,old gear box even Altis having 7 speeds, 2WD without paddle shift….I rather go for the XC40.
Bravo, please show us the picture of the XC40 you have bought? Tell us more about the performance, specs, price, after sales service. Also Volvo Cars Malaysia sold 740 vehicles, from January – October 2017. Thats like 74 cars a month.
It seems like we’ve so many Toyota salesmen & supporter here. XC40 had been selected as 2018 car of the year. European car has always lower sales compare to Japs car in Asian countries bcoz peoples choose cheaper price compare to European car. Merz also having lower sales figure compare to Harrier. Sales figure also cannot be compared between Eur & Jap car. The above person need to study more about XC40 b4 just to compare the sales figure only but not their features.
So then you are the Volvo salesman, thats why you are supporting Volvo, correct? The guy was just asking the person who says Volvo XC40 is a better buy to show his car and talk about the specs, that’s all. Also he only say Volvo sold 740 cars in 2017 from Jan till Oct, he didn’t compare sales figures with other makes.
Thanks for highlighting. Ermmm… wait! Altis is CVT. With 7 speed sequential. Mcm Preve. Nope to Altis. Nope to any car with CVT. These days, even 5-speed conventional auto is not economic (enough) for cruising on the highway. 6 speed is OK. My manual 6-speed can get 2000 rpm at 110km/h. Have to agree with u, no paddle shifter is something to be missed in such a powerful engine. BTW, regarding the CVT vs conv. auto, u can check the price for Alphard vs Vellfire, currently selling by UMW. Which one is more expensive? The expensive one is equipped with conv. auto. CVT is low cost compared to conv. auto. Try to overtake cars with steep acceleration. U will appreciate conv. auto more than CVT.
Paddle Shift is just a sporty gimmick.
Tell us how many drivers actually shift a auto gear manually unless it’s one of those once in a moon vroom vroom mood or just to test the acceleration? People buy automatic so they don’t have to change gear themselves.
For me the paddle shifters are actually more of an obstruction.
Go and try the Volvo S90, the paddle shifters obstructs your fingers when turning the wheels. Only in Malaysia the S90 comes with paddle shifters as standard.
Even more silly are those paddle shifters that turns together with the steering.
Paddle shifters are safety features. when you need to do emergency downshifting & engine braking.
1st you need to state which kind of design, some cars designed that you have to shift the gear knob to sports or manual mode before the paddle shifters will work, this won’t work under emergency condition.
2nd as stated before some paddle shifters turn together with the wheels so this means the paddle shifters may be disoriented and causes confusion on which side is + which one is -, ain’t good in emergency situations.
also maybe you aren’t driving an auto gear car or rather an old one but newer automatic transmissions are designed to downshift automatically if it detects sudden heavy application on the brakes, the computer is programmed to see this as a potential emergency brake thus it downshifts the gear (as long as it’s within the safety limit to avoid damaging gears) to help slow down the car.
U should give your suggestion to Honda Malaysia on their CIVIC turbo to remove away this feature.
it’s a sporty gimmick, Civic won’t be able to sell well if Honda removes them as they are marketing Civic as a sporty luxury sedan in malaysia. it’s only useful if the driver uses them, most Golf GTi drivers don’t even use them. but it’s a “good to have feature” as long as it doesn’t impede the hands when turning the wheels.
Kia Sorento >>>> Toyota Harrier
In term of weight or fuel consumption?
The powertrain is new, even if the auto box had only 6 gears, but this powertrain is shared with the NX, RX and IS200t, so it makes sense for umw to wait n bring the facelifted version
its pricey because it is CBU, but well below the asking pricr of the hybrid recon 2.5 when dat first came to our shores
UMW shud give d option for 4wd to put all dat power on d road
N we hv yet to see d actual malaysian spec cars yet’,
Those black leather looks lame’, prefers coffee coloured or maroon ones
well Grey Import Harrier has been sold around that price mark since the 1st gen so i think after so many decades it’s acceptable UMW maintains that price range of course without tax & GST it’d be much cheaper but it’s not like someone trying to sell it for 350k.
but yes too bad no 4WD option but with it many will complain about extra cost for maintenance.
Pricey because its a CBU? Thats junk marketing strategy. CBU meaning they assembled it in japan, specs are built as umwt demanded to suit malaysian, who they thought brainless enough to believe their thrash talk to earn more. Of course the car looks the same, as well as noticeable parts like engine, powertrain and bla bla. Its not a JDM import. Its only a CBU, its assembled in Japan only. Else they will just claim “JDM harrier is coming to malaysia, the only dif is the infotainment “.
do you even know how the car import tax works?
you think just add in shipping cost + 6% GST and a 10% profit margin and viola you get the sales price in Malaysia?
Personally, I would wait for Boyue release. And compare the spec and price.
what is boyue? bolui I know…
LOL :) Great one bro…hahahaha
To do that, U have to wait 1 yr. Many things can happen in 1 yr.
I see a lot of newer car/SUV tese days have rear aircond vent. Honda City for example. Can anyone confirmed, do these cars/SUV have rear foot aircond vents for rear passengers? Mercedes traditionally have this. 2 under each of the front seats.
not sure about Harrier but i think few generations back it already comes with rear aircon?
i mean the lower tier Camry already came with rear AC many years ago.
my question is, does the premium version comes with fabric or leather seats, and do they come with powered front passenger seats since it was explicitly mentioned Luxury version comes with powered front seats and driver memory seat. don’t tell us premium still comes with manual seat adjustment for passenger side?
UMWT can confirm tapau soon, their passenger sales are pathetic..Toyota Malaysia coming next..
Honda Malaysia took back the driver’s seat, and see how it had grown since..
the “local” infotainment system is just….just forget about it…please throw it away.
There are 2 videos here. Just out of curiosity, who do U think did a better presentation.
Like for Kyle
Dislike for Harfiz
paultan should probably hire Kyle to shoot videos! Harfiz is great, Kyle is just using another way to present for more emotional and exciting talking. hahaha
Is the guy too tall or is the car too low?
Check out the latest Singapore ‘torque’ magazine, the Harrier is the cheapest as compared with the new CRV and CX5, UMW Toyota must be making tons of RM form it….
Harrier may have downsized to RAV platform but in terms of spec, it’s still considered Luxury SUV even in Japan while CRV & CX-5 is considered as SUV.
Harrier still maintains it’s luxury standard the RX has despite the smaller size. unless you don’t think it’s sibling NX is luxury enough.
CRV & CX-5 should be compared to it’s other sibling RAV4 (which grew up).
SG Harrier is selling same starting price as Rav4 and cheaper than Camry at s$156K, and Mazda CX5 at s$144K…s$10K apart and we are RM100K apart! lol
CRV at s$154K, virtually same as Harrier.
Surely a better deal than recon model. Price n warranty is reasonable n witht the safety aspects. Only letdown is the model may come too late as consumers flock to buy the model when recon model landed earlier
yea but i think most recon buyers no have buyer’s remorse after seeing the facelift came with 2.0T. i think many potential buyers did not buy the grey imports as they are still waiting for the 2.0T, which is good news for them.
also this model is going to be 5 years old, facelift was last year, meaning it’ll be another 2 more years before the new model comes out. don’t think Toyota will stretch it for 10 years as now it shares same platform as Rav4 & NX.