Toyota Harrier vs Volkswagen Tayron
Verdict
The Tayron does the pragmatic Malaysian SUV brief harder: it is RM98,340 cheaper, has seven seats, a 2,788 mm wheelbase and costs just RM120 a year in road tax. The Harrier counters with a larger 2.5 litre hybrid petrol engine, a 118 hp motor, a bigger 396 litre boot and much longer warranty cover. If you need the third row, the Volkswagen is the easy answer. If you want the Toyota hybrid hardware and five-year backing, the Harrier has the cleaner long-term case.
Harrier
Pick the Toyota Harrier if you want a five-seat Japan-built hybrid SUV with a larger boot, full-sized electrochromic moonroof and longer factory plus hybrid component warranty cover.
Tayron
Pick the Volkswagen Tayron if you need seven seats, a lower RM190,660 price, cheaper RM120 road tax and more cabin tech for the money.
Key differences
- Price: Toyota Harrier RM289,000; Volkswagen Tayron RM190,660
- Engine output: Toyota Harrier 175 hp and 221 Nm; Volkswagen Tayron 148 hp and 250 Nm
- Hybrid hardware: Toyota Harrier has one motor rated at 118 hp and 202 Nm; Volkswagen Tayron has 48-volt MHEV assistance
- Seats and boot: Toyota Harrier 5 seats and 396 litres; Volkswagen Tayron 7 seats and 345 litres
- Size: Toyota Harrier 4,740 mm long with a 2,690 mm wheelbase; Volkswagen Tayron 4,792 mm long with a 2,788 mm wheelbase
- Warranty and road tax: Toyota Harrier 5 years, unlimited mileage and RM830 per year; Volkswagen Tayron 2 years, unlimited mileage and RM120 per year
Harrier
- Larger 2,487 cc hybrid engine with a 118 hp electric motor
- Bigger 396 litre boot despite the smaller cabin count
- 5-year unlimited-mileage warranty plus 8-year unlimited-mileage cover for the hybrid battery, inverter and PCU
- Costs RM98,340 more than the Tayron
- Only five seats against the Volkswagen's seven
- RM830 annual road tax is far higher than the Tayron's RM120
Tayron
- Seven seats with a sliding 40:20:40 second row and split-folding third row
- Longer 2,788 mm wheelbase and 52 mm extra overall length
- 12.9-inch touchscreen, wireless phone charging, ventilated and massaging front seats
- Shorter 2-year manufacturer warranty versus the Harrier's 5 years
- Smaller 345 litre boot against the Harrier's 396 litres
- No sunroof, while the Harrier gets a full-sized electrochromic moonroof
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 289,000 | RM 190,660✓ |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | D-Segment | D-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CKD |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, naturally-aspirated with dual variable valve timing and hybrid assistance (VVT-iE on intake, VVT-i on exhaust) | 16-valve DOHC with direct fuel injection, turbocharger and variable intake valve timing with 48-volt MHEV assistance |
| Capacity | 2,487 cc | 1,498 cc |
| Horsepower | 175 hp✓ | 148 hp |
| Torque | 221 Nm | 250 Nm✓ |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline | Inline |
| Timing Type | Chain | Chain |
| Fuel | Petrol Hybrid/REV | Petrol Hybrid/REV |
| Bore | 87.5 mm | — |
| Compression Ratio | 14 | — |
| Number of Motors | 1 | — |
| Motor Horsepower | 118 hp | — |
| Motor Torque | 202 Nm | — |
| Battery Type | Lithium Ion | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | eCVT Automatic | Dual-clutch Automatic (Wet) |
| Transmission Name | — | 7-speed Direct Shift Gearbox (DSG) |
| Gears | — | 7 |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | — | 9.6 seconds |
| Top Speed | 180 km/h | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,740 mm | 4,792 mm |
| Width | 1,855 mm | 1,852 mm |
| Height | 1,660 mm | 1,660 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,690 mm | 2,788 mm |
| Weight | 1,695 kg | — |
| Fuel Tank | 55 litres | 55 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 7 |
| Boot Space | 396 litres✓ | 345 litres |
| Front Tyre | 225/60R18 | 235/55R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 225/60R18 | 235/55R18 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Bridgestone Alenza H/L 33 | Hankook Ventus evoSUV |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Japan (CBU) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Chassis | Unibody | Unibody |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Struts |
| Rear Suspension | Double Wishbone | Multi-links |
| Front Wheels | 18" Alloy | 18" Napoli Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 18" Alloy | 18" Napoli Alloys |
| Front Brakes | Ventilated Disc | Ventilated Discs |
| Rear Brakes | Solid Disc | Solid Discs |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | — | Dynamic Chassis Control Pro |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Driver's Knee, Front and Rear Curtain | Driver and Front Passenger, Front & Rear Side Bags, Curtain Airbags & Front Centre Airbag |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | — | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | — | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | — | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for Rear Doors | Manual for Rear Doors |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 7 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available on two outer rear passenger seats | Available on Front Passenger Seat and 2 Outer Middle Row Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes, Pre-collision Braking | Yes, with Pedestrian and Cyclist Detection |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Safety Notes | Tyre Pressure Monitoring System, Rear Cross-Traffic Alert with Braking | — |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Bi-LED Projector | LED Projectors |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | Full LED |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | ✓ | — |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | 12-way Power Adjustable Driver's Seat with Memory Function, Power Adjustable 4-way Passenger Seat | 12-Way Power-Adjustable Front Seats with Memory Function, Ventilation and Massaging |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding with Centre Armrest, Manual Recline | 40:20:40 Split-Folding and Sliding 2nd Row, 50:50 Split-Folding 3rd Row |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-Zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Rear Vents | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Sunroof | Full-sized Moonroof with Electrochromic Function | — |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 2 Front USB, 2 Rear USB | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 2 USB Front, 2 USB Rear |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights, Cupholder Lights and Footwell Lights | Map Lights and Ambient Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Middle Row, 2 Back Row |
| Sun Shade | — | Manual Rear Window Blinds |
| Audio | 8" Display Audio with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Six speakers | 12.9" Discover Touchscreen with Wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto, 8-speaker Volkswagen Sound System |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Driver's Side Auto Up and Down with Anti Pinch | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Start/Stop | — | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control |
| Tiptronic | ✓ | — |
| Paddle Shift | — | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | ✓ | — |
| Boot Operation | Powered with Kick Sensor | Powered with Contactless Operation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 4 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, with 360 Degree Camera | Yes, with 360-degree Camera |
| Auto Parking | — | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Convenience Notes | Front and Rear Digital Video Recorder | — |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years✓ | 2 years |
| Warranty Notes | 8-Year/Unlimited Mileage Warranty for Hybrid Battery, Inverter and PCU | — |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM 830 | RM 120✓ |
Specs shown for the selected variant of each car. ✓ marks the better figure where lower/higher is objectively better. Road tax: West Malaysia, private registration.
Harrier vs Tayron FAQ
Is the Toyota Harrier or Volkswagen Tayron better?
The Volkswagen Tayron is better for most family buyers because it is much cheaper and has seven seats. The Toyota Harrier suits buyers who want Toyota hybrid hardware, a bigger boot and longer warranty cover.
What is the price difference?
The Toyota Harrier costs RM289,000, while the Volkswagen Tayron costs RM190,660. That makes the Harrier RM98,340 more expensive before looking at road tax, where it also costs more annually.
Which SUV is more practical for family use?
The Tayron has the stronger family case with seven seats, a longer 2,788 mm wheelbase and more cup holders. The Harrier has only five seats, but its 396 litre boot is larger than the Tayron's 345 litres.