We live in an era of SUVs and crossovers and their models are launched every now and then in the market. Over time, high-ride vehicles have eaten up a chunk of the market share of traditional sedans, and hatchbacks and automakers are taking full benefit of this craze. Some of them have gone to such crazy lengths that they have abandoned the production of sedans altogether. Toyota is the world’s largest vehicle manufacturer and they are also competing fiercely in this race. One of their well-known crossovers is the C-HR. The C-HR stands for compact high rider which is a reference to its elevated height and small size.
Introduction:
The C-HR was unveiled before the world in 2016 and received widespread applause from journalists and enthusiasts alike. Part of the reason for that was its leaked photos that had revealed the company’s plan for a compact crossover. The market at that time was also thirsty for such a vehicle and the news of a Toyota crossover partially quenched the thirst of consumers. The micro-SUV first went on sale in Japan in late 2016 and subsequently it was launched in various regions around the world. Today we will dive into the details of this Japanese beauty.
Exterior:
The Toyota C-HR features a bulky yet attractive look at its front end which kind of sets it apart from the rest of the brand’s vehicles. It would be hard to recognize it as a Toyota if you remove the front logo, which is sort of a good thing. Toyota isn’t known for revolutionary designs and it is one of their weak points, therefore people were rather amazed when they got a chance to glimpse at the C-HR. There are some fake vents on each side of the front together with some prominent cuts that add uniqueness to the overall looks which make the crossover instantly recognizable on the road.
The side profile is rather straight forward and there is nothing special to mention there apart from the extended wheel arches and black trims going around the side profile. Moreover, the door handles for the rear doors are mounted on their top corner. The roofline sharply bends towards the rear which in my opinion adds a fastback character to the C-HR. The rear end is the strong selling point for the car and has sharp creases that add a muscular look. The taillights though are nearly identical to the tail lamps of the current generation of Honda Civic, albeit, they are a smaller version. The high mount brake lamp with the diffuser really goes well with the overall character.
Interior:
It would not be wrong to say that the interior was leaps ahead of other Toyota vehicles that were on sale at that time. All the main touchpoints are made of high-quality soft-touch plastic and the blue accents across the interior highlight the hybrid powertrain of the vehicle, non-hybrid versions don’t get these blue stripes. The interior is complemented by piano black plastic that sits well with the rest of the black interior. However, you might find the interior too dark for your taste since it is also a compact vehicle. Moreover, you’ll find diamond stitching patterns everywhere in the interior, from the door panels to the seats.
Practicality:
The C-HR combines the practicality of a sedan with an SUV which means that its practicality is decent for most people. There is enough room for people in the front, though tall passengers in the back might struggle for headroom due to the sloping roofline. Furthermore, the compact size of the C-HR makes it wide enough for a total of 4 passengers only.
The boot is easily accessible and can accommodate luggage for a normal size family, though, its total capacity stands at only 377 liters. The rear seats are foldable which allows you to carry longer or more items conveniently. Here it is important to mention that the hybrid battery does take up some of the luggage space.
Powertrain:
The Toyota C-HR is available in two engine options. The first and the most popular one is the battery-assisted 1.8L four-cylinder engine that is similar to the one found in Prius. It returns an excellent fuel economy of nearly 22km/L (city and highway combined). The second engine is the turbocharged 1.2L which returns an output of 116hp, good enough to fulfill your day-to-day needs. It delivers a decent fuel average of 12km/L.
Both of these engines are either mated to a CVT or a 6-speed manual transmission. You can also avail these two variants in either front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive in case you are looking to get maximum traction.
Comfort & handling:
The C-HR has been engineered to provide a fun driving experience and it successfully does that without compromising the comfort level. The handling is tuned to tackle sharp bends at a normal or even a bit higher speed with ease. Moreover, the suspension is capable of absorbing uneven surfaces quite effectively, hence providing you a serene drive across any terrain.
Tech:
Toyota’s compact crossover comes with the tech you don’t even expect from it. The infotainment system supports satellite navigation and it can be hooked up to an android or apple phone. The presence of push start, keyless entry, projector headlamps provide convenience and add a modern touch at the same time. Digital climate control and steering controls are there to provide easier control when driving so that you don’t get distracted. The car also has an auto parking system that can effortlessly park the car just at the push of a button and indicator stalk.
Safety:
All of the modern safety features can be found integrated into the vehicle. There are a whopping 10 airbags that ensure the safety of every occupant, moreover, the support of ABS, lane-departure system, auto emergency braking further solidifies the safety system and they ensure the prevention of any fatal impact. The solid safety system of the C-HR has helped it scored a safety rating of full 5 stars in the Euro-NCAP safety tests.
Summary:
The Toyota C-HR is a great vehicle for a variety of people looking to upgrade to a crossover. Its design language is far from boring and the hybrid version returns excellent fuel economy with an adequate amount of power. The comfort level in some instances exceeds its rivals and even then the micro-SUV provides a fun ride that is nothing short of amazing. The C-HR is worth considering if you are looking for a budget-friendly fun crossover.
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If you want to know more details about specifications and models, please refer to Wikipedia or other catalogs.