The popularity of the new Harrier shows no sign of waning, but at the same time, we are beginning to hear voices saying, “Don’t buy it.” Why is that? In this article, we will explain in detail the advantages and disadvantages of the new Harrier, as well as the points you should consider before purchasing, so that those who are considering purchasing it can make a calm decision.
Is the new Harrier worth the price?
The new Harrier has the appeal of a luxury SUV, but it is also quite expensive. Before purchasing, it is important to carefully consider whether it is really worth the price and whether it suits your lifestyle and needs.
Are you prepared for the maintenance costs?
The new Harrier is a luxury SUV, so the maintenance costs are quite high. Make sure you understand the running costs after purchase, such as fuel economy, taxes, insurance, and maintenance costs, and make sure you can maintain it comfortably.
Calculate the cost of a new Harrier for one year
The calculation is based on driving 10,000 km per year. Also, I have stated “approximately” because each payment is divided into one year. Other expenses and parking fees are not included in this calculation because some people pay them and others do not.
| 1 year fee | Harrier gasoline car |
Harrier Hybrid Car |
|---|---|---|
| Automobile tax | 36,000 yen | 43,500 yen |
| Voluntary insurance premiums | Approximately 100,000 yen | Approximately 100,000 yen |
| Compulsory automobile liability insurance | Approximately 8,825 yen | Approximately 8,825 yen |
| Vehicle weight tax (weight tax) |
Approximately 16,400 yen | Approximately 16,400 yen |
| Vehicle inspection fee | Approximately 50,000 yen | Approximately 50,000 yen |
| Gasoline costs | Approximately 130,769 yen | Approximately 100,000 yen |
| total | Approximately 341,994 yen | Approximately 318,725 yen |
Annual maintenance costs are expected to be around 310,000 to 340,000 yen. It is important to take these points into consideration when deciding on a purchase.
*This is based on the latest automotive information, so please let us know if you find any mistakes.
Is size really necessary?
The new Harrier is characterized by its impressive body size, but that is not necessarily an advantage. It is also important to consider everyday usability, such as driving on narrow roads and finding a parking space.
The Harrier’s body size is 4,740mm in length, 1,855mm in width, and 1,660mm in height. This size fits into a typical mechanical parking lot, but you need to be aware of height restrictions in multi-storey parking lots. It is larger than a compact car or a small sedan. The width of 1,855mm may be a little wide considering the road conditions in Japan. However, the Harrier’s minimum turning radius is relatively small at 5.5m to 5.7m, making it easy to maneuver and safe to drive even on narrow roads.
Toyota SUV body size and minimum turning radius
Although the Harrier is a mid-sized Toyota SUV, it is generally considered a large vehicle in Japan.
| Model name | Minimum turning radius |
full length | Overall width | Height | Wheelbase |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rise | 4.9m 5.0m |
3,995mm | 1,695mm | 1,620mm | 2,525mm |
| Corolla Cross | 5.2m | 4,490mm | 1,825mm | 1,620mm | 2,640mm |
| Yaris Cross | 5.3m | 4,185mm | 1,765mm | 1,580mm | 2,560mm |
| Crown Crossover | 5.4m | 4,930mm | 1,840mm | 1,540mm | 2,850mm |
| bZ4x | 5.6m | 4,690mm | 1,860mm | 1,650mm | 2,850mm |
| RAV4 | 5.5m | 4,600mm | 1,865mm | 1,685mm 1,690mm |
2,690mm |
| RAV4 Adventure |
5.7m | 4,610mm | 1,855mm | 1,690mm | 2,690mm |
| Harrier | 5.5m 5.7m |
4,740mm | 1,855mm | 1,660mm | 2,690mm |
| Century (SUV) | 5.5m | 5,205mm | 1,990mm | 1,805mm | 2,950mm |
| Land Cruiser 300 | 5.9m | 4,965mm 4,985mm |
1,985mm 1,990mm |
1,885mm 1,925mm |
2,850mm |
| Land Cruiser 250 | 6.0m | 4,925mm | 1,980mm | 1,870mm | 2,850mm |
| Land Cruiser 70 | 6.3m | 4,890mm | 1,870mm | 1,920mm | 2,730mm |
| Hilux | 6.4m | 5,320mm | 1,835mm | 1,800mm | 3,085mm |
Harrier parking problems and their solutions
Can’t fit into a parking lot? The real-life difficulties of parking
Considering the body size of the Harrier, which is considered a large vehicle, it may not be able to fit into mechanical parking lots or multi-storey parking lots. It is important to check the size of the parking lot in advance.
What to do and what to be careful of in Japanese parking lots
When choosing a mechanical parking lot for an apartment complex or parking area, you need to be careful if the width of the car is 1850mm or more. The biggest problem is the width of the pallet. Currently, the most common mechanical parking lots in Japan have an outer tire width of 1850 to 1900mm or less, and there are many cases where the car does not fit on the pallet. The pallet is the platform-like part on which the car is actually placed in a mechanical parking lot.
Even if the width of the car is within the limit, if the pallet width is too small, you cannot park. If it is too close, you may damage the tires or wheels. I have some friends who have bought new cars and are now unable to park in the parking lots they used to use because they no longer have pallets.
The Harrier can be driven on Japanese roads and in parking lots without any problems, but it is important to check the size in advance and secure a parking spot. By the way, I drove a similarly sized 4th generation Harrier for about four years and a 3rd generation Harrier for about two and a half years, and I have never had trouble parking in a commercial facility or general parking lot in Japan. (This is my personal opinion.) As mentioned above, just be careful of mechanical parking lots.
What happens when you actually drive it?
The Harrier has good visibility from the driver’s seat and is easy to get a feel for, so even inexperienced drivers can drive it with confidence. In addition, the minimum turning radius is small, so U-turns and parking in a garage are also smooth.
In addition, the Harrier is equipped with the latest safety features, including collision mitigation braking and lane keep assist, which help reduce anxiety while driving and make driving safer.
The Harrier has more to offer than just its size!
Harrier
The biggest attraction of the new Harrier is its spacious interior and luggage space. The back seats have enough space for adults to sit comfortably, making it comfortable even on long drives. The luggage space is also spacious, so you can easily load outdoor equipment and travel luggage.
In addition, the new Harrier is also available in a hybrid model that combines powerful driving with good fuel economy. It also has excellent environmental performance, so it is recommended for those who want to enjoy driving in an environmentally friendly way.
With two kids on board, I survived child rearing
It is often said that SUVs such as the Harrier are not suitable for raising children, but I drove it for four years with two children, ages 2 to 6 and 0 to 2, and they were comfortable. The only drawback was that it was a little difficult to get things out of the back seat when it was narrow, but other than that I don’t think there are any drawbacks.
What we learned in 4 years! Harrier Hybrid’s actual fuel economy
Harrier
The catalog fuel economy is 22.3km/L in WLTC mode, but my average actual fuel economy over four years (about 26,243km) was 16.7km/L. I mostly drove it around town, and in winter the fuel economy dropped due to the use of the heater and traffic jams, but it was still a satisfactory figure. Especially on long-distance highway trips, I could get more than 19km/L, and I really felt the benefits of the hybrid system.
As an aside, I was also the owner of a 4th generation Prius 2WD early model, and the actual fuel economy was 23.0km/L. The catalog value was 37.2km/L in JC08 mode, so I was disappointed by the difference. (The difference comes from how you drive.) In other words, with my driving style, the difference with the Prius was only 6.3km/L. This shows that the fuel economy is astonishingly good.
Do you really need advanced features?
The new Harrier is equipped with the latest safety and comfort features, but it is also important to determine whether you really need them. Avoid paying for unnecessary features and determine which features you really need.
Personally, I think it never hurts to have the latest safety equipment!
The new Harrier will undergo a minor change in 2022 and will be equipped with the latest preventive safety package, “Toyota Safety Sense.” I was driving the early 2020 model, and there were still many scenes that made me feel a bit uneasy while driving. However, I think it’s worth having the latest safety features, such as the car stopping for you when you are about to collide, and the radar cruise control helping you on highways during long drives.
Is there a delay in delivery?
The Harrier has been popular since its release and has a long delivery time , but as of August 2024, it appears that delivery will be in four months. There are also rumors that it may be a little faster. However, it is unclear what will happen in the future, so it may be necessary to be careful.
Can I expect resale value?
The new Harrier is a popular model, but its future resale value is unknown. If you are thinking of selling it in a few years, it is a good idea to gather information about resale value in advance. I owned the new Harrier grade “Z “Leather Package”” for four years from 2020 to 2024, and recently sold it. The vehicle price at the time was 4.82 million yen, but the trade-in price at the Toyota dealer was about 4.3 million yen. In other words, it only cost me 520,000 yen over four years. (Excluding vehicle inspections and taxes) We can see that the resale value is quite good. *
*Please note that this is an individual example and the details may change depending on when you purchased and sold the item.
Resale value rankings for Japanese SUVs and cross-country vehicles
| Ranking | Car model | Residual value rate (after 5 years) |
|---|---|---|
| No.1 | Toyota Land Cruiser 70 | 109.78% |
| No.2 | Toyota Land Cruiser 250 | 82.71% |
| No.3 | Toyota Land Cruiser | 82.71% |
| No.4 | Lexus LBX | 81.05% |
| No.5 | Toyota Corolla Cross | 79.50% |
| No.6 | Toyota Harrier | 78.64% |
Resale value rankings for SUVs and cross-country vehicles
Source: Ucarpack
Conclusion: Not recommended for:
- People who are not confident or accustomed to driving large vehicles
- People who find it difficult to afford the not-so-cheap price tag of 3,128,000 to 5,148,000 yen for a new car
- People who find it difficult to continue paying maintenance fees
- People who want to park in pallet-type parking spaces, such as mechanical parking spaces at apartment complexes
If any of the above applies to you, please think carefully before purchasing.
A word from the editorial department
This article is aimed at those who are considering purchasing the new Harrier, and aims to objectively explain the advantages and disadvantages, as well as points to consider before purchasing. Although it uses the strong word “don’t buy it,” this is only to encourage a calm decision before purchasing. The final decision should be made based on the reader’s own lifestyle and values.
The new Harrier is an attractive car, but you need to make a careful decision before purchasing it. It is important to consider various factors such as price, maintenance costs, size, features, and resale value, and determine whether it is really the right car for you. We hope this article will help you choose your car.
Harrier Q&A
Fuel economy of the new Harrier
-
The fuel economy of the new Harrier varies depending on the grade and powertrain. For gasoline vehicles, the WLTC mode fuel economy is 14.7km/L to 15.3km/L. For hybrid vehicles, the WLTC mode fuel economy is 22.3km/L.
I drove it for four years and the actual fuel economy was 16km/L in total, which is great for an SUV of this class.
Interior options and their selection
-
The interior options for the new Harrier include genuine leather seats, sunroofs, JBL premium sound systems, etc. By selecting these options, you can make the interior more comfortable and luxurious.
Design evaluation and user feedback
-
The design of the new Harrier has been highly praised by many people. Customers have commented that “the urban and sophisticated design is cool,” “it has a luxurious feel,” and “I like the sporty impression.”
Harrier related articles
