The reason Tata showcased Harrier with the name of Buzzard in Europe, is because Toyota already has a car named Harrier in many global markets
While we have Tata Harrier in the Indian market (launched in January 2019), Toyota has been selling its mid-size crossover SUV with the same name since 1997. The current-gen Toyota Harrier is sold in Japan and other Asian markets such as Singapore and Malaysia. Third-gen Toyota Harrier was launched in 2013 and it will be unveiled in its next-gen avatar later this year. Ahead of that, details about the SUV have been leaked online.
Next-gen Toyota Harrier comes with a range of design updates such as sleek chrome grille, sharp LED headlamps, and sloping roofline. The hood design is largely similar, but it does look a bit longer in comparison to current-gen Toyota Harrier.
Features that have remained unchanged include the mesh grille design, vertically positioned LED DRLs, and large 18-inch alloy wheels. Rear profile has been updated with full-width LED tail lamps that run along the entire mid-section of the boot.
While key details about next-gen Toyota Harrier are yet to be officially revealed, we expect Toyota to introduce new features such as electrochromic sunroof that can be adjusted to control the amount of light entering the cabin. Current-gen Toyota Harrier is equipped with electric twin sunroof. The SUV could also get an updated IRVM that has an inbuilt dash cam.
2021 Harrier will utilize the Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA), which is now standard for most of the latest models in the company’s portfolio. TNGA involves advanced structural innovation, with the aim to improve product appeal, performance and safety. TNGA can also help reduce cost and effort of developing new models, as it supports varied car sizes and powertrains.
Powering next-gen Toyota Harrier could be a 2.0-litre direct-injected Dynamic Force petrol engine, capable of generating max power of 172 ps and max torque of 203 Nm. This engine is already in use with Toyota RAV4. New Harrier could also get the 2.5-litre petrol hybrid that does duty on Camry. Working in combination with two electric motors, the combined power output is 211 ps. Current-gen Toyota Harrier is powered by a 2.0-litre turbo petrol unit, which will be discontinued.
2021 Toyota Harrier is expected to get some new safety features as well. The current-gen model is equipped with safety features such as SRS airbags, front and rear sensors, ABS, brake assist, electronic parking brake, pre-collision system, adaptive high-beam system, dynamic radar cruise control and lane departure alert.
New-gen Toyota Harrier will be first launched in its home market Japan. Other Asian countries will get the car at a later date. With the new features and engine options, a price hike seems likely.
