The Toyota Harrier is a premium, D-segment SUV, sitting one segment above the Toyota RAV4. It also forms the basis for the Lexus NX. The current generation Toyota Harrier is no longer related to the Lexus RX.

Up until now, the Harrier exists only as a right-hand drive model. It’s sold mostly in Japan but many units found their way here via grey importers.

A few years ago, UMW Toyota Motor introduced the Harrier here and unlike grey import models, it comes with proper English language infotainment and controls, but more importantly, a new 231 PS turbocharged 2.0-litre engine and Toyota Safety Sense suite of advanced driving aids.

Now, we have received news that the next generation Toyota Harrier will no longer be a Japan-centric, right-hand drive-only model.

Instead, it will be a global model and will be sold in the United States as a Toyota Venza, possibly made in USA too (for US domestic sales).

The Toyota Venza last existed as a North American market wagon/crossover version of the previous generation, US market Toyota Camry. Think of it as a Camry version of the Japanese market Toyota Mark X Zio, or the BMW 3 Series GT.

The Toyota Venza didn’t sell very well there and it was discontinued after just one generation. American (and Canadian) buyers overwhelmingly preferred a traditional SUV-looking product like the Toyota RAV4.

Powertrain details are still unclear but it’s quite certain that the model will also be offered as a hybrid, at least in the US. A naturally aspirated 2.5-litre Dynamic Force engine is also possible, to be sold alongside the current 2.0-litre turbocharged unit.