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Pros: Quality, stand-out styling, fuel-efficient hybrid.
Cons: Cramped rear seat, more expensive than before.
Toyota C-HR Design
The C-HR has been a massive success for Toyota since it first went on sale all the way back in 2016. For the difficult second album, Toyota is clearly taking the bold is better approach. Built to stand out, Toyota takes its popular mid-size coupé-crossover to the next level with a radical new front-end bearing the brand’s latest ‘hammerhead’ design language. Slim LED headlights frame the C-HR’s new sharkish nose, just like the Prius and bZ4X. There are a few new creases and character lines along the side, while flush door handles help create a sleek profile to aid air flow over the body.
Viewed from the rear, the C-HR has a wider stance than before and some striking design details like the split roof spoiler, beautifully curved rear windscreen and a special ‘Toyota C-HR’ illumination every time you lock and unlock the vehicle. Alloy wheel sizes vary from 18- to 20-inch and there’s still the option of a black contrast roof. But this time around, the contrasting black can even be extended into the rear of the car for a dramatic bi-tone look. Altogether, the new C-HR makes rivals look positively dull.
Toyota C-HR Interior
The cabin has matured very nicely with a snug, driver-focused feel. There’s a notable step up in quality and digital tech. The material quality is excellent for a vehicle of this size and it’s still one of the most upmarket of the entire Toyota range. Heated, fabric sports seats come as standard with more suede and artificial leather added as you go up the trim levels. A full digital driver display comes as standard, as does an 8-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto and a reversing camera. On everything but the base model, there’s an impressive 12-inch touchscreen. Toyota has resisted the temptation to dump the climate control settings in the screen like so many manufacturers these days. The row of buttons for the ventilation and climate control under the screen are very simple to use. The Toyota Safety Sense 3 suite of safety equipment comes as standard with features like blind spot monitoring, lane departure alert with steering control and safe exit assist.
Like before, the C-HR compromises some practicality for style. Legroom will be tight behind a tall driver though headroom is pretty decent considering the rakish profile. The middle seat is on the small side and it’s still quite dark, even with the optional new panoramic glass roof. There’s no dramatic increase in boot space either. At 388 litres in the 1.8 hybrid, it falls behind the best in class but it’s adequate enough for a car of this size. A powered tailgate is available.
Toyota C-HR Performance & Drive
Like the latest Corolla and Corolla Cross, the C-HR uses Toyota’s new fifth generation hybrid with lighter and more compact parts to improve efficiency. There are 1.8- and 2.0-litre petrol electric hybrids available, with a plug-in hybrid on the way. The 2.0-litre hybrid has a bit more power (198hp) but it’s the 1.8 that’s likely to be the bestseller. Power is now up to 140hp, with 0-100 km/h completed in a reasonable 9.9 seconds. The C-HR is not one that you really want to hustle along too quickly because the e-CVT transmission still has a tendency to make the engine rev noisily should you wish to accelerate quickly. Like most hybrids, it favours a gentler use of the throttle and this is when the driver gets to enjoy some incredible efficiency. It’s easy to achieve Toyota’s quoted 4.8 litre per 100 kilometres in town or suburbia, where the C-HR can often run on just its electric motor alone. Consumption naturally does increase a bit at high speeds on the motorway.
Toyota has also made some improvements to the suspension, steering and brakes for a secure and mature feel on the road that makes the C-HR great company to enjoy. It stays flat and balanced through corners and doesn’t get upset by bumpy Irish roads. There is a bit of road noise at high speeds on the motorway but overall, the C-HR is one of the best of its kind to drive.
Toyota C-HR Pricing
The C-HR range starts from €40,520 for the Sport, €42,920 for the Sport+, €45,010 for the Sol, €50,720 for the Premiere Edition and €53,280 for the GR Sport Premiere Edition.
Carzone Verdict
It’s not really a difficult second album for the C-HR; it’s a brilliant one. For a stylish, fuel-efficient hybrid crossover that’s comfortable and good to drive, not much else comes close to it. It’s expensive and not as practical or family-friendly as rivals (even Toyota’s own Corolla Cross) but that’s not really the point of the C-HR. It was made to stand out and yes it does just that.