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In Case You Miss It, the Toyota Venza Is Still Alive and Kicking Elsewhere

It’s a shame America didn’t appreciate one of Toyota’s more compelling CUVs.

Rear view of a black Toyota Harrier SUV with illuminated taillights and a rear windshield wiper.Toyota
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By Chris Chin

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If you were a fan of the Toyota Venza and wondered what happened to it, at least here in America, the model isn’t actually dead. Rather, Toyota pulled the crossover SUV from the Stateside market after shockingly slow sales.

To remind us that we lost a solid model from its SUV lineup, Toyota just rolled out some updates for its Japanese Domestic Market model. There, ‘Yota calls it the Harrier.

Though, while we can no longer appreciate the Venza, Toyota’s revisions remind us how we’re missing out and America lost its chance to appreciate one of Toyota’s more compelling crossover SUVs.

The Venza lives on, but only in Japan

Black Toyota Harrier SUV parked on a street with a stone building and golden confetti falling around.
The Venza may be no more for America, but it lives on as the Harrier in Japan.
Toyota

In 2020, Toyota introduced the second-generation Venza after a brief hiatus. But the Japanese automaker pulled the model from the US market in 2024, replacing it with the Crown and Crown Signia.

The original Venza debuted in 2008 and remained in production up until 2017. The Venza was Toyota’s attempt at producing a slightly more upscale, but not-quite-a-Lexus crossover.

It was for those who wanted something a bit nicer than the RAV4, but not as big, ponderous and pricey as a Highlander.

Two Toyota Venza SUVs, one white and one gray, parked on a tiled surface with a city skyline and starry night sky in the background.
The Venza was a solid crossover SUV from Toyota and it’s a shame Americans didn’t appreciate it more.
Toyota

The Venza also provided a taste of Lexus without the potential brand snobbery. It was basically a Lexus RX-lite and altogether, it was actually a very compelling crossover that served up all the proper goods.

Which is a shame as to why it never took off in terms of sales. But its lack of success in America didn’t stop Toyota from keeping it alive. It’s still available in Japan and in other export markets, where it’s doing quite well.

Now, the new model gets even better with some updates. Some of which might’ve helped the Venza’s case in America if they came out earlier.

More equipment, slimmed down powertrains

Toyota car interior with black leather steering wheel, touchscreen display, and brown leather-trimmed dashboard and door panel.
Part of the Venza/Harrier’s appeal was that it served up more upscale vibes at an affordable price, without crossing into pretentious Lexus territory.
Toyota

The second-generation Venza has been around since 2020. But in Japan, Toyota calls it the Harrier.

If that name sounds familiar, the Harrier was also the name for the JDM Toyota-based-equivalent to the Lexus RX for its first two generations. Afterwards, Toyota spawned the Harrier off the original Lexus RX-based variant as its own model. Lexus also now sells the RX in Japan, after the brand’s appeal reached its shores.

For the JDM Harrier, Toyota rolled out some revisions. Gone is the previously available base 2.0-liter gas inline-four and top-spec 2.5-liter plug-in hybrid powertrains.

Black Toyota Harrier SUV driving on a city street at night with blurred lights in the background.
The Harrier’s updates in Japan makes us wish we still had the Venza as an option.
Toyota

Now, the Harrier is solely available with a conventional gas-electric hybrid system, consisting of the same 2.5-liter inline-four and electric motor assist. Just without the plug-in capabilities.

The two-wheel model produces a total system output of around 215 horsepower, while the dual-motor all-wheel-drive version gets a slight bump to 219.

To compensate, Toyota did add an extra feature in the form of a 100-volt, 1,500-watt alternating current outlet, as well as some additional small vehicle-to-load (V2L) capabilities. It’s not as powerful as the kind you find on a full-fledged EV, but it still allows occupants to power some electronics if needed.

Black Toyota Harrier SUV driving on a city street with motion blur on wheels and background.
Do you miss the Venza here in America?
Toyota

The Harrier also benefits from some new styling packages, all of which boost the model’s appeal.

The updates might seem very subtle. But the results keep the Harrier’s price of entry affordable. Which, if they arrived in America, it could’ve spelled more success for the model, especially since a basic Harrier starts below the equivalent of $30,000 in Japan.

Availability and pricing

In Japan, the Harrier with two-wheel drive starts at a very enticing and humble  ¥4,396,700, or roughly $28,100 USD with today’s conversion rates. In comparison, a 2024 Venza stickered at around $36,000 USD to start.

Black Toyota Harrier SUV driving on a road at sunset with a scenic sky and water in the background.Toyota

2027 Toyota Harrier (JDM)

Toyota’s old Venza crossover SUV might no longer be in North America. But it still lives on in the Japanese Domestic Market as the Harrier. The company refreshed the model in Japan, reminding us that we missed out one of its more compelling crossover SUVs. Since discontinuing the Venza for the American market in 2024, Toyota has since replaced it with the Crown and Crown Signia.
About the Author: Chris Chin is an associate editor at Gear Patrol, covering cars, trucks and anything else with four wheels. He has over a decade of experience writing news and reviews but considers himself an enthusiast first, with a passion for classics and European cars. His daily driver is a 1987 Mercedes-Benz 560SEL with nearly 250,000 miles (87,000 are his).

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