All-new 2021 Toyota Harrier launching in Malaysia next year, this or the RAV4?

The all-new Toyota Harrier made its global debut in Japan back in April, before going on sale two months later.

Let's take a closer look at the all-new Toyota Harrier that's earmarked for Malaysia in 2021.

1. What’s new with the Toyota Harrier?

Everything’s new.

The fourth-generation Toyota Harrier is a completely new model. Like any other modern-day Toyota model, the Harrier is built upon Toyota’s venerable TNGA platform. In the case of the all-new Harrier, it is underpinned by the TNGA-K platform – just like the Toyota RAV4.

It also gets Toyota’s range of Dynamic Force engines.

2. Wait, so there’s no turbo engine?

Unlike the predecessor model, the all-new Toyota Harrier is naturally-aspirated-only. The turbocharged 8AR-FTS mill found in the predecessor model is no more.

Instead, it gets the choice of a 2.0-litre naturally-aspirated petrol engine (171 PS, 207 Nm) or a 2.5-litre petrol-electric hybrid (combined system output: 218 PS).

It remains to be seen which engine will be offered in Malaysia.

3. Will it be expensive?

The outgoing XU60-generation Toyota Harrier is priced from RM234k, putting it a just a tad bit more expensive than the recently-introduced Toyota RAV4.

When the XU80-generation model arrives in 2021, we can expect an increase in price, owing to the fact that it is a completely new model and our unfavourable exchange rates.

4. What safety features does it get?

In Japan, all variants of the all-new Toyota Harrier are equipped with the Toyota Safety Sense (TSS) ADAS suite, from the base S variant all the way to the Z Leather Package variant.

Considering that the outgoing Malaysian-spec XU60-generation model is already equipped with TSS, we expect the upcoming Malaysian-spec XU80-generation Harrier to continue to offer TSS.

Other safety features in the Japanese-market model include 7 airbags, Blind Spot Monitor with Rear Cross Traffic Alert, as well as Toyota’s ingenious Full Digital Mirror – essentially a digital wide-angle rear-view mirror that replaces the traditional glass-type mirror.

5. Does it come with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay?

Depending on variant, the all-new Toyota Harrier is fitted with an 8.0- or 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment display. Both systems offer support for Android Auto and Apple CarPlay out of the box.

6. Should you pick this over the Toyota RAV4?

As mentioned in our earlier Deal Breaker article for the Toyota RAV4, there’s nothing particularly wrong with the interior, it’s just that it does not feel like an interior of a car that costs upwards of RM 200k.

And this is where the all-new Toyota Harrier has lots going for it.

Despite sharing its TNGA-K platform with the RAV4, the Harrier is geared towards the luxury end of the scale, and it shows.

Compared to the more utilitarian interior of the RAV4, the all-new Harrier’s cabin is far more luxurious, with a generous amount of leather utilized inside, including on the centre console, centre arm rest, and dashboard.

The all-new Harrier also gets a trick panoramic sunroof that can be dimmed at the touch of a button.

7. When is the all-new Toyota Harrier coming to Malaysia?

Like the Toyota RAV4, the Malaysia-bound Toyota Harrier is likely going to arrive here in CBU (imported) form.

As such, it would take significantly less lead time for UMW Toyota to introduce the model here, as opposed to the soon-to-be introduced Toyota Corolla Cross – a model that is likely going to be locally-assembled at Toyota’s Bukit Raja facility.

It is reasonable to expect the all-new 2021 Toyota Harrier to be launched in Malaysia within the first half of 2021.