The Toyota Harrier might be called the Frontlander for the global market

Toyota has recently unveiled the all-new Harrier crossover last April 2020 for the Japanese market. The 4th generation crossover now rides on Toyota’s New Global Architecture (TNGA) and comes with an uprated 2.0-liter gasoline engine and a new hybrid drivetrain. Shifting gears the Japanese brand wants to bring the new crossover into other markets but with a different name. Toyota has decided to name the global version of the vehicle, the Frontlander. 

The Frontlander is expected to go on sale in the Chinese market first and will be built locally in the brand’s tie-up plant with GAC. The Japanese brand will then launch the vehicle in other global markets such as the Middle East and North America. It will share the same chassis and body styling with only interior features setting the two apart. The crossover will also come with the same engines as the Harrier carrying a 2.0-liter naturally aspirated engine as well as a hybrid power plant. The gasoline fed engine will be making 168hp and 207nm of torque which will be coupled with a Direct-Shift CVT. The Hybrid variant, on the other hand, will be getting a larger 2.5-liter as a base and with varying power outputs depending on the drivetrain, layout selected. The front-wheel-drive model will be able to push out 218hp while the all-wheel-drive model will be able to make 220hp. 

While the Japanese brand has stated that the vehicle will be available in other global markets there is no word yet from Toyota Philippines if it will bring in the vehicle for the local market as it would end up competing against the RAV4 in the same segment.

If the Harrier will be brought into the Philippines do you think it should retain its nameplate or should it carry its Frontlander name to keep it in line with other global markets?