2021 Toyota Harrier launched in Malaysia – TNGA platform, single 2.0L NA CVT variant, RM249,707

2021 Toyota Harrier launched in Malaysia – TNGA platform, single 2.0L NA CVT variant, RM249,707

Having just teased the new Toyota Harrier earlier this week, UMW Toyota Motor has gone ahead and launched the fourth-generation SUV in Malaysia. The second model to arrive here through official means, it comes with several new features but also a less powerful engine compared to the one before.

Offered in just a single 2.0 Luxury variant, the new Harrier is priced at RM249,707 on-the-road without insurance, inclusive of a 50% sales and services tax (SST) rebate. As usual, this price is valid until June 30, after which it goes up to RM259,000. A five-year, unlimited-mileage warranty is included.

Unlike the previous Harrier, which was powered by a turbocharged engine, this new one is only available with a naturally-aspirated mill – in this case, the same M20A-FKS 2.0 litre Dynamic Force four-cylinder found in the base RAV4. It makes 173 PS at 6,600 rpm and 203 Nm of torque from 4,400 to 4,900 rpm, which is some way down the 231 PS and 350 Nm of the outgoing model.

A Direct Shift-CVT sends power to the front wheels, and so equipped, the Harrier will get from zero to 100 km/h in 9.7 seconds on its way to a top speed of 190 km/h. Owners can at least console themselves with the fact that the improvement in efficiency has made up for the shortfall in performance, with fuel consumption rated at 15.3 km per litre. That’s quite a jump over the previous turbo car, which was rated at 13 km per litre.

2021 Toyota Harrier launched in Malaysia – TNGA platform, single 2.0L NA CVT variant, RM249,707

Built on the GA-K variant of the Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA), the new Harrier is slightly larger and lower than before, giving it a sleeker, more coupé-like profile. Highlights include the slim matrix LED headlights and closed-off upper grille, a large lower grille and full-width LED taillights. Also fitted are LED fog lights and the mid-range 18-inch two-tone alloy wheels (19s are offered in Japan).

Inside, there’s a plush-looking interior with a diamond-shaped centre console inspired by a horse’s saddle, sitting within the wraparound faux leather-trimmed dashboard. There are also a number of novel features, including a dimmable electrochromic panoramic glass roof and a digital rear-view mirror.

While we won’t get the full 12.3-inch centre touchscreen found in Japan, our car at least receives a proper OEM Toyota infotainment system – something that could not be said about the more expensive GR Yaris. It’s a similar system offered in the RAV4 and comes with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. A head-up display, a Qi wireless charger, a reverse camera and six speakers are also fitted.

Other bits of kit include LED fog lights, 18-inch two-tone alloy wheels, keyless entry, push-button start, dual-zone climate control with Nanoe X air ionisation, power-adjustable front seats (12-way for driver, four-way for passenger) with ventilation and driver’s side memory, a power-adjustable steering column, reclining rear seats, leather upholstery, a vehicle telematics system, premium solar and security tint, front and rear dash cams and a hands-free powered tailgate.

2021 Toyota Harrier launched in Malaysia – TNGA platform, single 2.0L NA CVT variant, RM249,707

Safety-wise, the Harrier comes with the full Toyota Safety Sense suite of driver assistance systems, including autonomous emergency braking, adaptive cruise control with stop and go, lane centring assist, lane keeping assist, blind spot monitoring with rear cross traffic alert and adaptive high beam. Seven airbags, stability control and ISOFIX rear child seat anchors are part of the standard specification.

The Harrier continues to utilise MacPherson strut suspension at the front and double wishbones at the rear, but the suspension geometry has been optimised for rigidity and handling balance. The retuned dampers also improve smoothness at lower speeds, while the increased sound insulation makes for a more refined drive.

Colour options include Steel Blonde Metallic, Slate Grey Metallic and Dark Blue Metallic; for an extra RM800, you can also have the Harrier in Precious Black and White Pearl Crystal Shine.


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Jonathan Lee

After trying to pursue a career in product design, Jonathan Lee decided to make the sideways jump into the world of car journalism instead. He therefore appreciates the aesthetic appeal of a car, but for him, the driving experience is still second to none.

 

Comments

  • Henry on Apr 08, 2021 at 11:38 am

    A watered down version but still at a quarter million bucks. There are better options out there.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 47 Thumb down 3
    • It doesn’t matter, this new engine power is quite good. Btw, this is not so expensive bro and good affordable car.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 66
      • Civic Turbo 2018 on Apr 08, 2021 at 1:55 pm

        Who cares fuel efficiency when paying 260K already? This Harrier is worse than City RS i-MMD which can dapao Camry 2.5V

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 26 Thumb down 9
        • Mike Zorro on Apr 08, 2021 at 3:54 pm

          Why can’t Honda take their own Accord and compare it to their City RS. why choose Camry, bcoz Accord would dapao even faster.

          Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 4
          • Basher Dont Learn on Apr 08, 2021 at 4:57 pm

            Maybe because Accord has turbo?

            Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 0
      • In what kind of world a 2.0 SUV without turbo for RM250k is affordable and not so expensive ?

        Hopes you’re being sarcastic

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 48 Thumb down 0
        • Dredd on Apr 09, 2021 at 8:17 am

          CRV Turbo the same segment SUV is rm140k only..summore 190PS more powerful. Dredd agrees.

          Like or Dislike: Thumb up 11 Thumb down 0
  • Mesti kena bashed kao kao…haaa

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 19 Thumb down 1
  • Rm250k with that center touchscreen, never learnt from Corolla Altis…joke of the year!

    Well-loved. Like or Dislike: Thumb up 56 Thumb down 3
  • Hahaha……………………………

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 3
  • Class, ahead of time

    Wait for Japanese 2nd hand also can..
    Recon AP 4 years later,

    Same like Malaysia reg used car price

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 7 Thumb down 7
    • No market on Apr 10, 2021 at 12:09 pm

      Harrier already lose its fame la bro. Harrier only fame at 90s and 00s. Those who drive the harrier back then now driving BMW, Benz, Porscher already. After driving the German tech they wont look back to Jap tech d. So who gknna buy it now? Which segment?

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 1
  • Truckers on Apr 08, 2021 at 12:14 pm

    Not cheap :-(

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 18 Thumb down 2
  • apamau on Apr 08, 2021 at 12:19 pm

    Lable as Luxury, but they don’t give
    1. 360 view camera
    2. the LCD is small to fit, should give bigger.. as so wide space

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 37 Thumb down 3
  • This Toyota never learnt from their Corolla lesson by putting small screen on a big frame. Seems like a bigger screen will bankrupt them.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 40 Thumb down 1
  • minnie on Apr 08, 2021 at 12:39 pm

    The infotainment system looks absolutely pathetic, and those rims… for a 260k toyota? No thank you.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 35 Thumb down 1
  • Why oo wai la toyota on Apr 08, 2021 at 12:51 pm

    2.0?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 14 Thumb down 1
  • M & B on Apr 08, 2021 at 1:19 pm

    Nice

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 18
  • Ziggy on Apr 08, 2021 at 1:25 pm

    watered down… even the LCD screen too. UMW come on..

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 21 Thumb down 0
  • Bieight on Apr 08, 2021 at 1:34 pm

    Good luck to them trying to sell it at 250k

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 15 Thumb down 0
  • Jason on Apr 08, 2021 at 1:56 pm

    This car is worth RM 150K at best.

    Well-loved. Like or Dislike: Thumb up 51 Thumb down 1
  • Dong gor on Apr 08, 2021 at 2:07 pm

    250k for a Toyota badge with Na engine?
    I sense they are struggling to stay afloat in Malaysia… increase margin like no one’s business in anticipation of low sales number.
    Next pls.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 13 Thumb down 0
  • Get a recon Lexus RX200t, more luxury with a turbo engine far better choice.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 12 Thumb down 0
  • kereta_lembu on Apr 08, 2021 at 2:42 pm

    Looks wise, I kinda like it. Very clean lines and nothing over complicated. However at this price point, which is not exactly cheap for a Japanese Marque, I believe more can be done to give it better and more luxurious options. No digital cluster, center screen is tiny, and engine performance is not worth mentioning. Will this gamble pay off? Only time will tell.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 17 Thumb down 0
  • Carfan on Apr 08, 2021 at 2:47 pm

    Harrier 2.0 (USD35K) is about 20% more than RA4 in Japan so MY pricing roughly in line but still too expensive.
    Hopefully the MY model has air cooled seats and chromatic sunroof in other words full specs.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 1
    • carfan as well on Apr 08, 2021 at 3:37 pm

      they do. only thing lacking is the bigger screen.
      other then that fully loaded.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 2
  • Walley on Apr 08, 2021 at 2:49 pm

    UMWT will drop the RAV4 soon I guess. RAV4 cost 200k but same range as CRV and CX5.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 6 Thumb down 0
  • Ben Yap on Apr 08, 2021 at 2:50 pm

    so expensive but still slower than a CRV turbo.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 17 Thumb down 1
  • Afeeq on Apr 08, 2021 at 2:55 pm

    RM249K and they don’t even get the infotainment system as the American version? What a joke!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 18 Thumb down 0
    • (Dude) on Apr 08, 2021 at 4:22 pm

      What a joke your comment is,
      It has the Infortaiment system as the American version on the lower spec models

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 5 Thumb down 5
  • MinTik on Apr 08, 2021 at 4:55 pm

    Better buy RAV4 2.5. (Slightly) cheaper, more power, actual gear (8-speed vs CVT in this Harrier). If there are people buying this Harrier, it is mainly because of the “luxury” image and they know NOTHING about cars.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 9 Thumb down 0
    • Aquaracer

      Booked one already. My dream car
      Like or Dislike:  9  4 Reply

      Dunno Aquaracer gonna cancel the booking after Toyota announce Harrier priced RM250k, lol

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
    • No lux on Apr 10, 2021 at 12:18 pm

      Pls take back the luxury image wording. There is nothing luxury here. I go test drive the Toyota Malaysia most luxury van which is alphard the other day at UMW, and man the car vibrate as a test car. The door is thinner than a German, the sound proof is a joke for luxury than cant even out silent a BMw 3er. The suspension is so floaty in a bend making the v6 engine useless in highway bends. The plastic is cracky and scracthy. The sound system is very normal. The highest ver selling near S class and 7er price. I proceed to book a 7er directly on the same day and struggle to figgure out why people brand it as lux van with such a price and quality and tech. Maybe they buy cheap second hand recon model at 200k plus. Those van are just for wannabe, or soccer mom.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
  • UMW Loh on Apr 08, 2021 at 5:15 pm

    I did some checking and found out that the “small screen big bezel” problem is also found in the Singapore imported model. This is the link for SG Car review on this 2021 Toyota Harrier 2.5 Hybrid. You can see their screen size is same as our UMW imported model.

    https://www.carbuyer.com.sg/toyota-harrier-singapore-price-new/

    Actually, I just ordered the BMW X1 2.0 Turbo. It cheaper than this Harrier and much more powerful i.e. 0-100 kmh in 7.6 secs

    Also, I think driving a BMW SUV is more prestige than Harrier kuah, even if it’s smaller sized! Oh! and definitely cheaper too!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 12 Thumb down 1
    • Power is determined by 0-100kmph? Guess an Axia is more powerful than a bus.

      Plus we hear people say … “hah 1 series only ar?. Not 3 or 5 series meh?”. But we don’t hear people say that on a Toyota.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 8
    • Wow still got ppl buy X1 now? the car in/out look so dated. Launched in 2014.. already coming to 7 yrs and new model is out soon. Even the CX5 drive better than X1. I rather pay for a 2.5 turbo full specs CX-5 for 174k.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 0
    • except bmw will break down after 3 years and double signal at the side of the road

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 1
  • With that price… might as well get the GLC la.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 11 Thumb down 1
  • Sigh Toyota on Apr 08, 2021 at 7:33 pm

    For RM250k, you would think they’d spec it to include the full 12.3” screen but instead Malaysians have to live with a smaller, ugly screen which looks like an aftermarket afterthought.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 0
  • Rolled on Apr 09, 2021 at 2:13 am

    That lcd screen is pathetic for a 260k luxury car. Seriously Toyota?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 0
  • “toyota jual ape pun orang akan beli”

    -abg japar

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
  • passerby on Apr 09, 2021 at 3:38 pm

    Hi i’m not from around here but i notice that some gentlemen like to judge cars base on 0-100 and whether they have turbo etc. How often are people going to fully utilize all this powers when they driving? Are they going to floor the accelerator whenever they move off from a stop position? I doubt so base on Malaysia traffic. Why people not complain about some luxury cars having lots of wind noise even at 80km/h. I agree at this price point this car is seriously not cheap considering it’s just a Jap car. But the quality of build is excellent(excluding the touchscreen. it’s pathetic). And the tax that gomen impose on non natinal car is kinda absurd. Just self opinion tho. Lastly, Jap toyota sell this harrier 15 times more than their target figure. So it can says about the quality of the car

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 0
  • Semi-Value (Member) on Apr 09, 2021 at 7:52 pm

    lol what a joke. get x70 so much better.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 6 Thumb down 0
  • No thanks for this price. I’ll get a CX 5 Turbo and save around 60K

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 1
 

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