Admission. I took two extra turns over my normal route the other day to have a closer look at the new Toyota Harrier. It wasn’t an exotic supercar I was following, but a Harrier. Why? A: Because it’s pretty rare and I don’t remember seeing one on the road before. B: It’s quite a striking SUV, isn’t it? Beautiful even.
(Our colleague Gerard has spent some more time at the wheel of the fourth-generation XU80 Harrier; read his findings in the in-depth review, here.)
After realising that there’s good demand for the Harrier with the third-generation SUV – the first time a Harrier was officially sold in Malaysia outside of the grey import scene – UMW Toyota Motor (UMWT) decided on a sequel and launched the fourth-generation Harrier here in April before the nationwide lockdown.
If you’re not aware of the latest 2021 Toyota Harrier, it’s a pandemic-era baby, going on sale in Japan in June 2020. It’s also available in North America as the Toyota Venza, a name previously used on an odd Camry-based wagon-crossover model. Check out our through-the-years gallery post of all four generations of the Harrier, which was a household name way before UMWT sold the SUV.
The latest XU80 Harrier sits on the GA-K variant of the Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA) platform, also used by larger models like the XV70 Camry, the current Toyota RAV4 and the Lexus ES. It’s slightly larger and lower than before, and the sleeker, more coupe-like profile is obvious in the metal.
Gone is the Harrier’s trademark bird logo, replaced by the standard T badge, even in Japan. The closed-off upper grille is still present though, flanked by even slimmer matrix LED headlights. Those piercing eyes combine with a large lower grille for a distinctive face. The LED fog lamps are placed in the lower corners of the grille and not far out wide.
The new Harrier’s rear end also sports slim LED lights. It’s a full-width strip, with just a break for the Toyota logo. The third brake light strip on the rear spoiler is also very long. Official Malaysian units wear 18-inch two-tone alloys (Bridgestone Alenza 225/60 tyres, 19s are available in Japan). Overall, the new Harrier is classy and just about bold enough without going full Lexus. What do you think?
Under the hood is a 2.0 litre Dynamic Force four-cylinder also found in the RAV4 and Lexus UX. It makes 173 PS at 6,600 rpm and 203 Nm of torque from 4,400 to 4,900 rpm. The M20A-FKS is naturally aspirated, and this is the big news in the powertrain department, given that the previous-gen Malaysian-spec Harrier had a 2.0 litre turbo engine with 231 PS/350 Nm. The difference is big, but if the experience in the UX is anything to go by, it should have enough poke.
The NA engine is paired to a Direct Shift CVT that sends power to the front wheels. The previous-gen turbo model used a conventional six-speed automatic gearbox. The 0-100 km/h sprint is done in 9.7 seconds and top speed is 190 km/h. Fuel consumption is rated at 15.3 km/l, better than the old turbo’s 13 km/l.
By the way, there are only two powertrain options for the Harrier in Japan – this 2.0L NA and a 2.5L hybrid. The Venza is shipped to the US as a hybrid, as it’s the only suitable option for that market. There’s no turbo option anywhere else.
The Harrier is suspended by MacPherson strut suspension at the front and double wishbones at the rear, as before, but the suspension geometry has been optimised for rigidity and handling balance. The retuned dampers also improve smoothness at lower speeds, while increased sound insulation makes for a more refined drive, Toyota says.
Inside, the dashboard is dominated by a diamond-shaped centre console inspired by a horse’s saddle, and it’s now high enough to act as a divider for the front seats. There’s faux leather trim and stitching on the dashboard and door cards. Novel features include a dimmable electrochromic panoramic glass roof and a digital rear-view mirror. There’s a “Harrier bird” somewhere in the cabin – go find it.
No one expects the full 12.3-inch centre touchscreen found in Japan, so our car makes do with a 8.0-inch screen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and plenty of bezel. At least it’s an OEM Toyota infotainment system and not a local job. Elsewhere, there’s a head-up display, Qi wireless charger, reverse camera and six speakers. There’s also an electronic parking brake with auto brake hold, moved from the right of the driver to the centre console.
The Harrier is pretty well equipped, and other standard fit items are keyless entry with push start, dual-zone climate control with Nanoe X ioniser, power-adjustable front seats (12-way driver with memory, four-way passenger) with ventilation/heating, heated steering wheel with power adjustment, reclining rear seats, leather upholstery and and hands-free powered tailgate. Before you question the heating bits, equipment come in packs.
No blind spots when it comes to safety. The Japan-made 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. Also in are seven airbags (including driver’s knee), stability control and Isofix rear child seat anchors.
UMWT has also fitted a vehicle telematics system, premium solar and security tint and front/rear dashcams. Colour options are Slate Grey Metallic, Dark Blue Metallic and the Steel Blonde Metallic you see here. Precious Black and White Pearl Crystal Shine are RM800 cost options.
The new Harrier comes with a sole 2.0 Luxury variant, priced at RM249,707 on-the-road without insurance, including the 50% sales tax rebate for CBU imports. Of course, SST exemption ends at the end of this year, unless there’s another last minute extension. Buying from the official Toyota distributor means that your Harrier will come with a five-year unlimited-mileage factory warranty.
By the way, the new Harrier is RM10,000 cheaper than the previous-gen Luxury variant, which of course had a turbo and more power. Where does the Harrier sit in UMWT’s growing range of SUVs? It’s the most premium and expensive player in the five-car team, ahead of the RM215k RAV4, which is also imported from Japan. The RAV4 has a larger 2.5L engine (2.0L base variant discontinued) but less kit and image than the Harrier. The styling is also more butch and the edges sharper.
The other members of the team are the Rush, Corolla Cross and Fortuner. As you can see, they’re all rather different in nature, price and positioning. It wasn’t that long ago when UMWT did not have enough SUV representation in Malaysia, now it has five, not including those from Lexus. We did a recent post explaining the local Toyota SUV range vis-a-vis rivals – check that one out.
In the meantime, what do you think of the new Harrier, as a car and as a package?
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Different levels
Well. subjective. But there are many people who love to buy car with sun/moon roof
Our Malaysian Harrier also got blind spot monitor
Just got my new 2.5 Rav4, the car feel very powerful when empty, when full load power are still sufficient for uphill and overtake. And best it is 8 Speed Auto not CVT like in the harrier. I feel the harrier wont have enough power if full load.
My Harrier 2.0 just delivered in few months ago. Not as powerful as Rav4, but there is feeling of acceleration and CVT is smooth without issues. The speed is really good and pick up kicks in, on the highway or on the hill.
Does it come with ambient lighting? Thanks.
Appreciate if Paultan team can take a side view photo of the center touchscreen to show the viewers that we are clearly getting a downgraded & bulky center head unit compared to the thin/floating screen others(Japan/USA) is getting.
“a picture speaks a thousand words”
Please don’t hide the truth.
Their employment contract stipulates they can’t cast a poor light on their paymasters.
Answer:
Better.
Gradully become premium.
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Someone mentioned here that this car is not main for speed but comfortable and fuel consumption
mazda what..? hahahahaha…. low class..
Agreed! Harrier is premium and Cx5 is basic premium
Hey jinggo, a car is still a car. How can you categorized others as low class, you imbecile. Low class is you, Prick. Everyone buys what they can afford and not for showing off.
YG : repeat after me ‘premium, acceptable, comfortable, different level’
the clones : Roger and Jinggo attuned by saying yes to each other. Toyoda fanboyistar to the core cum mouseclicking maniacs. Cover the attack behind ‘we are just expressing our view here’. Sleepless long hours painstaking job.Ticktacking mountain of disapproval votes against all opposing remarks, then simply branded all of them as ‘haters’.
They had multiple fake commenters before, however the sole actress on ‘vios in the city’ review, missing in action today.
The Victor with the assisted votes might control the outcome of this review, polish and protect good image of the brand,
but is it a good strategy? or downright childish and suicidal move?, let the honest and smart readers be the Judge here.
the only “Luxury” is animal hide upholstery……..
Interesting
When I see the 8” touchscreen, I just skip this posting
Coz this is made from Japan. Bring hybrid, there are more things but not so cheap than this gasoline variant. In Japan, there are only two variants. So we got cheaper 2.0 petrol gasoline engine than hybrid engine. Headunit is still acceptable.
Totally unacceptable! Only 9 like + 11 dislike.Harrier level 2% off 250k at least 5000 click. Use more convincing word. Yori doryoku suru
Saw one in Klang Valley. Damn nice
In the immortal words of Matt Watson (probably), “What is with that infotainment system?”
Light like altis but nice
(Like) Benz GLA200 RM245k.
(Dislike) Toyota Harrier RM250k
GLA is C segment and Harrier is D segment
Harrier power output is C segment
This car really made of great features
Not for speed, bet this gonna be more comfortable. Comfortability & fuel efficiency is main thing for this new gen Harrier.
Next delivery April 2022 if you book now. Go figure
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Coz this is premium car, there are more other more thing inside. But this head unit is still acceptable
Lee yin, won’t accept what you said. When someone says good, she press red button many times and when someone says bad, she press green button many times.
I just saw a 2018 Mercedes GLC 43 for RM270k. Still under MBM warranty. 362 bhp.
Or this car?
Which do you think is a better buy
Padu
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This reminds me of Mini Lexus
Much better looking than UX60
Nice. Also got sunroof
Just got this brand new, So far, I’m satisfied. Rated 9/10. NVH, fuel economy, comfort and power are superb good
Mind sharing if it has ambient lighting? Thanks
Nice interior and exterior
Car looks good. Sunroof not practical in Malaysia but add luxurious to the car. Other features good. Glad to see the gear knob position changed better than previous model.
Someone can give advise here?
My budget is just 250k. I have 3 kids 3-12yrs. Should I buy this OR get an mpv recon vellfire 170k and a 100k used suv car for my own driving? my family would be very happy with mpv. But I like this suv.
Vellfire is a good MPV, but get ready for normal wear and tear such as: steering rack problem (knock knock sound), drive shaft and absorber. Sometimes power door doesn’t work, just too many to list all out. But overall, it’s a good and comfortable car. Driven once Mercedes Benz C Coupe, fall in love with it instantly. Once my MPV loan finished, will definitely get Mercedes Benz coupe or BMW coupe, daily driver.
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Tbh, this gives me quietness while driving on road/highway. And also saves fuel
You are not buying 250k car to save fuel. :)
That is for his experience. What is he saying that Harrier fuel economy is quite good like Corolla. FYI, Harrier is not performance racing
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CX-8 is 7 seaters and Harrier only 5 seats
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Should need turbo?
“Turbo charged engine is good at this area but turbo engines tends to spoil (gasket leaks due to higher stress in engine block) & eat engine oil. Also there will be turbo time lag.”
I was comparing the GLA200 vs the X1 1.8i and as much as I love the superb interior of the GLA, it is grossly overpriced against the X1 when even the 2.0i is cheaper than it.
So, will you guys choose a slightly more costly but old X1 2.0i with the extended 5 years warranty or the brand new Harrier with included 5 years warranty? I’ve been thinking about the pros and cons between these 2 cars. X1 will have to be replaced by the time the 5 years warranty is out, or it will be very costly to maintain but the flip side is the joy of driving it. The Harrier can be kept beyond 10 years if you want to but it obviously won’t give you the beemer experience.
Note that I am choosing a car based on a given budget and I care not for whatever segment it is in. I would have happily gone for the Camry Hybrid but it’s not sold anymore. The UX200 might be in the same price range but the interior space is too much of a compromise. Too bad that the NX cost so much more.. it’s not a budget that I’m willing to cross.
Wait for the ckd Camry Hybrid then, might come next year.
Don’t get the GLA 200 like literally. I feel like people who bought it is only because of the brand image and letting people know that you own a continental car lol. I could go on forever with why I don’t recommend it because I test drove and analyzed both GLA 200 and the new Harrier. It’s nice that you aren’t stuck with a specific segment. I would recommend XC40, BMW 3 Series, Toyota’s Camry, Honda HRV/CRV. SUVs for a higher price would be XC60, BMW X3, GLC200. The cheapest SUV at Lexus is the UX 200 which is also a disappointment with the small boot space, underpowered engine, etc.
Personally I found metal roofs noisy in the rain. After having glass roofs, there seems to be no going back. Most models that come with heat rejection film and a glare screen already proven that sun and heat is no longer an issue. But the day and night in rain noise on roof can no longer be ignored once you’ve experienced glass roofs in the rain
Buy one, get all family members inside and then you curse because this car move slow to the max. Ok, the car is mean to be luxury not speed but can you imagine merc or audi or bmw or other luxury SUV with that engine. No matter what, in car industry luxury isnt match with slow and underpower engine.
Holy moly! The Toyota Click Army is truly alive and well on this page!
Just a note. It seems you guys do not understand how the web reader’s mind works. A hidden comment will attract more attention than a normal exposed critical post with little or no likes or dislikes. Because those super large numbers are so out of norm, it will catch the eye.
Secondly, a neutral tend to hate bullies and will side with the underdog. The more you dislike a post for just a normal, acceptable criticism; the more people will tend to sympathize.
Anyway, I agree with the negative comments on the head unit. Both MY & SG is not significant enough for Toyota to spend more resources to make it look less aftermarket. No need to defend that it looks amazing, because seriously, it is not. If you install that on a Honda, I’m sure you guys (and us too) will put them to the sword as well.
Opinions are welcome but Lee yin, honda navy, is still alive, she always unhappy and obsessed for attacking other brands in day and night. She always press numbers of dislike votes when someone says good while pressing numbers of like votes when someone don’t like.
My Harrier 2.0 just delivered in few months ago. Beautiful than outgoing model. Acceleration and speed are good and pick up kicks in.
rear signal light is a joke. remind me of kia sportage.
Looking for one harrier
I saw & read that there is a “welcome light” apparently. But it seems like no one has talked about it or pointed it out which is weird when it is a feature of the vehicle