Toyota Harrier (XU60) - 2018MY Facelift

Toyota's luxurious midsize crossover, the Harrier, is now offered with additional luxury but you won't find it on its newly revised exterior, more luxurious interior, refined dynamics, and a suite of safety tech because what you will find now in the new Harrier is its new turbo power.

2018 Toyota Harrier

2018 Toyota Harrier

At first glance, you may see some minimal changes on the front and back as well as the inside but rest assured that with the 2018 Toyota Harrier retained the similar choice of 2.0L 3ZR-FAE engine with VALVEMATIC and Toyota Stop&Start System mated to a Super CVT-i, as well as the the same 2.5L 2AR-FXE engine from a Toyota Camry connected with two electric motors for the Hybrid variant, the new turbocharged variant makes a surprising addition to the new Harrier, making this the first luxury turbo crossover from Toyota.

2018 Toyota Harrier

It comes with the 8AR-FTS 2.0L turbo 4-cylinder D-4S engine which produces 231PS of power and 350Nm of torque and with the 6-speed Super ECT, fuel economy is expected at around 13km/L based on JC08 Mode standards. Although not as good as any expensive European imports, the turbocharged variant is expected to swoon most drivers by the way it performs, which isn't so bad for a Toyota, and while on the subject of having Toyota's first ever turbocharged luxury crossover, you can even get one in with Dynamic Torque Control 4WD system that works very well in any road and weather conditions. Plus, it comes with performance dampers exclusive to this model, which improves roll rigidity and suppressing body deformation, maintaining straight-line stability at high speeds. 

Other noteworthy driving stuff you can find not just in the turbocharged model include Steering-Assisted Vehicle Stability Control, Electric Power Steering, Anti-lock Braking System, Traction Control. and Frequency Adaptive Damping shock absorbers, Overall, the driving performance for the Harrier makes it an inch close to those European imports and that is a good thing they done it right to ensure its satisfactory for the drivers of today.

2018 Toyota Harrier interior

2018 Toyota Harrier interior

Speaking of drivers of today, the 2018MY Toyota Harrier now offers Toyota Safety Sense P, featuring a more high-tech millimeter wave radar which detects pedestrians and vehicles alike, and Radar Cruise Control which detects preceding vehicles and determines their speed. Couple that with other driving assists including the Panoramic View Monitor, and the new Harrier is a more senseful luxury crossover that fits to the urban climate.

The new 2018MY Toyota Harrier starts at 2,949,480 Yen up to 4,604,040 Yen (around $30,000 to $47,000), ranging from ELEGANCE, PREMIUM, and the new top-of-the-line PROGRESS; in non-turbo, hybrid, and the new turbo. With such choices to choose from, there's no doubt that Toyota's luxury crossover is on a roll due to the increasingly strong demand and a long waiting list for some variants. Although available only to the Japanese market, the new 2018 Harrier, with its turbocharged engine added, promises to deliver world-class luxury and performance to the motoring public, if it can.

Available colors: White Pearl Crystal Shine, Silver Metallic, Black, Sparkling Black Pearl Crystal Shine, Dark Red Mica Metallic, and Dark Blue Mica Metallic.

Photo: Toyota Motor Corporation