Nissan isn’t the only Japanese carmaker which can get confusing when it comes to badging decisions in its home market. Take Toyota, for example: despite launching the Lexus brand in Japan in 2005 and gradually phasing out all Toyota-rebadged Lexus vehicles, Toyota has decided to bring back the Harrier nameplate based on the Lexus RX.
Compared to the current Lexus RX , the Toyota Harrier features different headlights and taillights, a new grille with the harrier logo, redesigned bumpers and a different interior.
There will be two available powerplants, including a hybrid unit pairing a 2.5-liter engine to an electric motor with a combined output of 197PS (194hp). Average fuel economy is 21.8 km/l (4.6 l/100 km/51.3 mpg US) under Japan ’s JC08 test cycle, while CO2 emissions are rated at 106 g/km.
Toyota will also offer a gasoline-only engine model featuring a 2.0-liter Valvematic engine with continuously variable transmission that produces 151PS (149hp). The engine can be combined with either 2WD or 4WD, while the hybrid is only offered as a 4WD model. Two-wheel drive models feature a stop & start system and deliver an average fuel economy of 16.0 km/l (6.25 l/100 km/37.6 mpg US), with CO2 emissions rated at 145 g/km.
Prices start from 2,720,000 yen ($27,330) for the base 2WD model with the 2.0-liter engine. Sales of the new Toyota Harrier begin in Japan on December 2, with the hybrid model to follow on January 15, 2014.
By Dan Mihalascu
