There’s a tradition of maintaining vehicle names for many decades at Toyota. The Harrier, as featured here, has been in production now for twenty-five years, changing and improving over this time and culminating in the excellent mid-size sport utility vehicle (SUV) in the current line-up from the Japanese brand. To find out more about or to import this interesting and individual vehicle get in touch with us here at MHH Japanese Cars.
On The Outside
New and used, the Toyota Harrier has been a popular seller throughout its lifetime. The latest model has a front view that emphasizes a sharp and clean styling through the continuity of lines flowing from the front upper grill through to the headlamps. The signature lamps indicate the technical advancement of the Harrier, enabling it to be easily distinguished from a distance.
The side view offers a dynamically changing body cross section that creates a strong design, styled to give a sense of movement. The combination of a narrowed coupé-like cabin coupled with sporting wheel housings that extend from both sides of the body gives a generous ruggedness to the rear view, featuring also a thin, sharp line of tail lamps and stop lamps.
On The Inside
Smart and understated, the interior of the Toyota Harrier offers a centre console that minimally cascades down from the large touchscreen. Extending out from the instrument panel to the door trims on either side, the soft-touch dashboard is full width, wrapping around the occupants for an added sense of security and comfort.
The seats are broad and comfortable with good support and adjustment features and the (optional) panorama roof with electro-chromatic windows (used for the first time by Toyota) uses a large sheet of electro-chromatic glass that covers the front seats and as far as back as overhead for the rear seat passengers. By dimming the glass the interior takes on a soft-light quality that is both relaxing and soothing. Think of the light that comes through traditional paper Japanese windows; that’s the idea. Vibration and noise are kept to a minimum thanks to the effective placement of sound-absorbing and vibration-controlling materials and use of highly efficient sound-absorbing windows. The interior employs low-contrast browns, greys, and blacks to enhance the calming atmosphere within.
On The Road
The platform of the Harrier offers a rigid structure and low centre of gravity. This helps deliver excellence in both ride comfort and vehicle driving performance; a plus for keen drivers. To this end, the front and rear suspension geometry has also been optimised to produce a well-balanced body with good handling. The goal in design, successfully achieved, is a ride that is both solidly reassuring and smooth.
As always with Toyota, safety is to the fore and the Harrier features, among other safety technology, Active Cornering Assist, for example, for braking control, which helps prevent understeering at corners. The Harrier also offers ‘Toyota Safety Sense’, which deploys a pre-collision safety system that detects pedestrians day or night, as well as cyclists during the day. Electric power steering responds quickly, firming up as speed increases. Features will of course vary depending upon the model chosen.
Two- or four-wheel drive models are available with petrol or frugal hybrid options. Hybrid models feature the Toyota Hybrid System that uses a 2.5L ‘Dynamic Force’ Engine combined with the electric motor. All-wheel drive variants use the E-Four electrical 4WD system enhancing economy while still offering powerful, seamless drive. Whichever model is chosen buyers can be assured that this is an excellent, family-sized SUV that achieves great comfort, quietness and economy over a range of road conditions. Typically Toyota.
