Verdict
Just RM2,012 separates the Toyota Harrier at RM289,000 from the Volkswagen Arteon at RM291,012, but they suit very different Malaysian roads. The Harrier pairs a 175 hp 2.5-litre hybrid petrol engine with a 118 hp motor, moonroof and 360-degree camera, yet annual road tax is RM830. The Arteon’s 276 hp, 350 Nm turbo engine, all-wheel drive and 5.6-second 0-100 km/h time make it the faster choice, while its RM372 road tax and 563-litre boot add everyday appeal. Its 1,450 mm height is much lower than the Harrier’s 1,660 mm SUV body.
Pick the Toyota Harrier if you want SUV height, hybrid assistance, a full-sized electrochromic moonroof and front-and-rear digital video recorders.
Pick the Volkswagen Arteon if you want 276 hp, all-wheel drive, a 563-litre boot and a 5.6-second 0-100 km/h time.
Key differences
- Price: Toyota Harrier RM289,000; Volkswagen Arteon RM291,012.
- Engine output: Harrier 175 hp and 221 Nm; Arteon 276 hp and 350 Nm.
- Driveline: Harrier front-wheel drive; Arteon all-wheel drive.
- Boot space: Harrier 396 litres; Arteon 563 litres.
- Road tax per year: Harrier RM830; Arteon RM372.
- Height: Harrier 1,660 mm; Arteon 1,450 mm.
Harrier
- Hybrid system adds a 118 hp, 202 Nm motor.
- Full-sized electrochromic moonroof and 360-degree camera.
- Front and rear digital video recorders.
- 396-litre boot is 167 litres smaller than the Arteon’s.
- 175 hp and 221 Nm are well below the Arteon’s 276 hp and 350 Nm.
- RM830 annual road tax is RM458 higher.
Arteon
- 276 hp, 350 Nm and a 5.6-second 0-100 km/h time.
- All-wheel drive and adaptive dampers.
- 563-litre boot, 19-inch full-size spare and 12-speaker Harman Kardon audio.
- No sunroof, against the Harrier’s full-sized electrochromic moonroof.
- No rear USB ports; the Harrier has two.
- No front foglamps; the Harrier has them.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM289,000✓ | RM291,012 |
| Body type | SUV | Hatchback |
| Segment | D-Segment | D-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM830 | RM372✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, naturally-aspirated with dual variable valve timing and hybrid assistance (VVT-iE on intake, VVT-i on exhaust) | 16-Valve DOHC with Twin-Scroll Turbocharger, Direct Injection and Variable Valve Timing and Lift |
| Capacity | 2,487 cc | 1,984 cc |
| Horsepower | 175 hp at 5,700 rpm | 276 hp at 5,100 rpm✓ |
| Torque | 221 Nm at 3,600 rpm | 350 Nm at 1,700 rpm✓ |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline 4 | Inline 4 |
| Fuel | Petrol Hybrid/REV | Petrol |
| Bore × Stroke | 87.5 mm × 103.4 mm | 82.5 mm × 92.8 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 14 | 9.6 |
| Number of Motors | 1 | — |
| Motor Horsepower | 118 hp | — |
| Motor Torque | 202 Nm | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | eCVT Automatic | Dual-clutch Automatic (Wet) |
| Transmission Name | — | 7-speed DSG |
| Gears | — | 7 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | — | Volkswagen AG |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | — | 5.6 seconds |
| Rated Economy | — | 7.4 L/100 km |
| Top Speed | 180 km/h | 250 km/h✓ |
| Co2 | — | 164 g/km |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,740 mm | 4,862 mm |
| Width | 1,855 mm | 1,871 mm |
| Height | 1,660 mm | 1,450 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,690 mm | 2,837 mm |
| Weight | 1,695 kg | 1,600 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 55 litres | 66 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 396 litres | 563 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 225/60R18 | 245/40R19 |
| Rear Tyre | 225/60R18 | 245/40R19 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | Full-Size 19" Alloy |
| Factory Tyres | Bridgestone Alenza H/L 33 | Pirelli P Zero |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Japan (CBU) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Double Wishbone | Multi-Link |
| Front Wheels | 18" Alloy | 19" Montevideo Two-tone Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 18" Alloy | 19" Montevideo Two-tone Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | — | Adaptive Dampers |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| EuroNCAP | — | 5 stars — With 7 Airbags, Stability Control and Autonomous Emergency Braking |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 7 (Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Driver's Knee, Front and Rear Curtain) | 7 (Driver and Passenger, Driver Knee, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain) |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | — | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | — | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for Rear Doors | — |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 5 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available on two outer rear passenger seats | Available on 2 Outer Rear Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes, Pre-collision Braking | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Safety Notes | Tyre Pressure Monitoring System, Rear Cross-Traffic Alert with Braking | Rear Cross Traffic Alert |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Bi-LED Projector | LED Projectors with Cornering Lights and Auto High Beam |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | Full LED with Sequential Indicators |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | ✓ | — |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | 12-way Power Adjustable Driver's Seat with Memory Function, Power Adjustable 4-way Passenger Seat | 14-Way Power-adjustable with Driver's Side Memory |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding with Centre Armrest, Manual Recline | 60:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Rear Vents | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Sunroof | Full-sized Moonroof with Electrochromic Function | — |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 2 Front USB, 2 Rear USB | 1 Front, 1 Rear, 2 Front USB-C, 1 Front Qi Wireless Charger |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights, Cupholder Lights and Footwell Lights | Map Lights and Ambient Lights (3 Colours) |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Audio | 8" Display Audio with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Six speakers | Discover Pro 9.2" Touchscreen Infotainment System with Wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and 12-speaker Harman Kardon Sound System |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Driver's Side Auto Up and Down with Anti Pinch | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Start/Stop | — | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control |
| Tiptronic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Paddle Shift | — | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | ✓ | — |
| Boot Operation | Powered with Kick Sensor | Powered with Contactless Operation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 4 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, with 360 Degree Camera | Yes, with 360-degree Camera |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Convenience Notes | Front and Rear Digital Video Recorder | — |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years | 5 years |
| Warranty Notes | 8-Year/Unlimited Mileage Warranty for Hybrid Battery, Inverter and PCU | 3-year/45,000 km Free Service |
Specs shown for the selected variant of each car. ✓ marks the better figure where lower/higher is objectively better. Road tax: West Malaysia, private registration.
Used Harrier & Arteon for sale
Harrier vs Arteon FAQ
Is the Toyota Harrier or Volkswagen Arteon better?
The Arteon is better for outright performance, all-wheel drive and luggage capacity: it has 276 hp, 350 Nm and a 563-litre boot. Choose the Harrier for its hybrid motor, taller SUV body, moonroof and built-in front-and-rear video recorders.
What is the price difference?
The Volkswagen Arteon costs RM2,012 more than the Toyota Harrier. The Arteon is RM291,012 and the Harrier is RM289,000.
Which has lower annual road tax and more boot space?
The Arteon does both. Its annual road tax is RM372 versus RM830 for the Harrier, and its 563-litre boot exceeds the Harrier’s 396 litres by 167 litres.
