A brief history of each model

These three cars now share the same platform but they all have different origins.

The very first model of the RAV4 was launched in 1994. SUVs at that time were positioned as authentic off-roaders but the RAV4 started the crossover SUV trend at that time.

Since then, the RAV4 has become a worldwide best-seller. But how about in Japan? The model once vanished from the market with the third generation model because of sluggish sales in 2016. However, the RAV4 had moved on to the fourth generation in 2013, which means that the Japanese market kept the old model even other markets received a newer one.

As a result of the RAV4’s steadfast popularity in the North American market, the latest model was unveiled at the New York Auto Show in March 2018 with a design to suit American tastes and was also released in Japan a year later.

Toyota’s Highlander was first launched in 2000 as the Kluger in Japan. Its second generation, based on the Camry’s platform, was introduced seven years later.

In Japan, the Vanguard, based on the third generation RAV4, came to the lineup in 2007. On the other hand, the fully updated Highlander became a model dedicated to the North American and Chinese market.

When the Highlander moved on to the fourth generation, its market also expanded to Europe.

The Harrier, a luxury crossover pioneer and also Venza’s brother in Japan, was developed as a crossover with the ride and comfort from a luxurious saloon. The first model was introduced in 1997 and became a Japanese market-only model in 2013 with the introduction of the third generation. In 2017, a 2-liter turbo model was added to the lineup, making the car sold with three types of powertrain.

For over three generations, the Harrier carried an emblem on the front shaped from the eastern marsh harrier, which is also the namesake for the car. But the latest model launched in 2020 was introduced with an ordinary Toyota emblem since the car was sold in multiple dealership channels unlike the previous model, and also the car was decided to be also sold in the North American market.

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As a result of their different origins and sales development, each of the three brothers has become Toyota’s representative SUV that competes on a global scale.

Unfortunately, there are no plans to introduce the Highlander in Japan, but as an SUV not unlike the RAV4 and Harrier, there may be a certain amount of demand inside its home market.