New Toyota Harrier (XU60)

The Toyota Harrier. When this first showed up on the Japanese market since December 1997, this crossover combines ruggedness of an SUV with the comfort of the luxury sedan, hence giving the title "Wild But Formal" and it was exported worldwide as the Lexus RX. However, with the Lexus RX arrived in Japan since the January of 2009, Toyota continues producing the Harrier, which in its second generation, until July 2013.

Shockingly, the unexpected thing happened because when Toyota throw a curve to the motoring press when they first showcase its brand new, third-generation Harrier, the whole world think that this new Harrier previews the next-generation Lexus RX because in the past, there were cars conceived as a Lexus but sold in Japan as a Toyota such as the Celsior, the Altezza, the Aristo, and the Soarer. They were born under the "Flagship One" initiative to create a luxury car that can challenge Europe's finest. There were also Toyotas rebadged as Lexus for export like the Windom and the Land Cruiser Cygnus. The first ES was essentially a Toyota Vista V20 but later it spawned into a Toyota Windom equivalent. The Land Cruiser Cygnus, which is a Land Cruiser 100 with a different flavor, was exported as the Lexus LX.

In the Summer of 2005, Lexus arrived in Japan, replacing the Celsior, Aristo, Soarer, and Altezza into LS, GS, SC (discontinued in 2010), and IS but the Windom and the Cygnus were discontinued in 2007 with their Lexus equivalents not sold in Japan.

2014 Toyota Harrier

So, here we are, the last remaining Toyota-to-Lexus model. Once previewed in the form of the SLV Concept since the 1997 Chicago Motor Show, the Harrier was launched in December 1997, just three months before exported to the world market as the RX. In 2003, the second-generation Harrier was launched under the banner "All Round Winner". With the Lexus RX launched in Japan since January 2009, the Harrier remains and now, we're looking into the successor of the last remaining Toyota-to-Lexus model and the truth is...and we're going to highlight this in bold letters...it’s NOT a preview of the 4th-gen Lexus RX. I repeat, it’s NOT a preview of the 4th-gen Lexus RX.

The brand new Toyota Harrier now shares its underpinnings from its little brother, the not-yet-sold-in-Japan Toyota RAV4, and if by means necessary, the new Harrier not only replaces its Lexus-based predecessor but also the Vanguard, which is based on the currently-sold-in-Japan third-generation RAV4. The exterior design uses the concept "Elegant velocity" thanks to its bizarre looks which Toyota Motor Corporation claims to give a sleek, speedy look that is instantly recognizable. Once more the new model makes use of LED lamps, standard in all models, and the optional clearance lamps (in a row of three) and rear combination lamps with gradient brightness.

2014 Toyota Harrier interior

2014 Toyota Harrier interior

While the new exterior isn't all about being a RAV4 with a fancy name and a sharp flair, the interior is pretty much more regular but since this is a luxury crossover in its own right, it's pretty much well-crafted here. I was expecting that the new Harrier will have the same interior as the current Lexus RX but they're not. It seats five, it has air conditioning, it has wooden trim, it has central heating, it has USB connectivity, nanoe, and then there's the Harrier-exclusive JBL Premium Sound System with 11 speakers and GreenEdge Technology.

What is GreenEdge Technology anyway? GreenEdge use less power while increasing audio output and improving both the accuracy and clarity of the sound. They're 90% efficient compared to conventional amplifiers, they typically play 6dB louder with increased audio fidelity, and across all listening volumes, clarity is greater than distortion.

The new Harrier is also available with Panoramic View Monitor, like the ones from Toyota's luxury minivans, the Alphard and the Vellfire, which shows around the car from the top to provide enhanced parking safety and it has four views; "Moving View", "Panoramic View and Wide View Front", "Side View", and "Panoramic View & Back View".

2014 Toyota Harrier

And now, the specs, but this time it's for real. The petrol version of the new Harrier comes with the 2.0L 3ZR-FAE engine with VALVEMATIC and Toyota Stop&Start System which produces a moderate 151PS of power, 193Nm of torque, and fuel economy of 16.0km/L calculated via JC08 Mode standards. It's mated with a Super CVT-i that helps sustain low RPM, even when during acceleration.

For the top-of-the-line Harrier Hybrid of let's call it H.H. because we're in a middle of "Message From H.H." right now, here's the official specs because the hybrid Harrier is powered by the same 2.5L 2AR-FXE engine from a Toyota Camry connected with two electric motors, because it has an E-Four hybrid 4WD system, and a traditional nickel metal battery. Combined power output is 197PS, which is two less than the Honda Accord Hybrid, and fuel economy is 21.8km/L. The CVT gearbox comes with a 6-speed sequential shift mode which is a bit of a meh rather than an ahh...

For a disclaimer about fuel economy; even though this was told by Toyota, your actual fuel consumption may vary so do please, think before you write to them.

2014 Toyota Harrier

The new Harrier is loaded with numerous safety features that you will notice such as Lane Departure Alert, Intelligent Clearance Sonar, Clearance Sonar and Back Sonar, Drive Start Control, Automatic High Beam, Pre-Crash Safety System, and Radar Cruise Control. Some of the features were fine but the Lane Departure and the Automatic High Beam were just loser features. Sometimes, they just can't work in a cold light of day. HEY! DON'T SHAKE THE STEERING WHEEL, MAKE NOISE, AND FLASH YOUR INSTRUMENTS! I'M DRIVING!!! Sorry about that but sometimes newer technology isn't always better.

Anyway, I hope the whole Harrier dilemma is finally answered...sort of. The quick summary is that the new Toyota Harrier (XU60) DOES NOT preview an upcoming Lexus RX, judging the fact that the Toyota Harrier and the Lexus RX have gone into separate ways, it replaces not only the old Lexus RX-based derivative but also the Vanguard, and it comes with a 2.0L petrol engine and a Camry-derived 2.5L hybrid powerplant. Questions on that?

Petrol or hybrid, it starts with the entry-level GRAND, mid-ranged ELEGANCE, and the top-of-the-line PREMIUM with the optional Advanced Package. Prices start from 2,909,000 Japanese Yen for the 2.0L GRAND up to 4,470,000 Japanese Yen for the Hybrid PREMIUM Advanced Package. The petrol model will be on sale in Japan on December 2 with a hybrid model scheduled for January 15 at Toyopet dealerships across Japan.

Yes, Toyota said it. The new Harrier is available ONLY in Japan.

Available colors: White Pearl Crystal Shine, Silver Metallic, Dark Steel Mica, Black, Sparking Black Pearl Crystal Shine, Blackish Red Mica, and Dark Brown Metallic.

Photo: Toyota Motor Corporation