2024 Toyota C-HR review

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Toyota’s quirky little C-HR crossover has simply been renewed for a second season.

Not Supplied — Digital camera IconKoba Credit score: CarExpert

The Toyota C-HR broke the model’s fairly conservative mould when it launched in 2016, taking the underpinnings of the top-selling Corolla and turning them right into a coupe-styled crossover with turbo petrol and hybrid choices.

It didn’t launch in Australia till 2017, and added the hybrid choice to the native vary when the facelifted mannequin arrived in October 2019.

Some 53,271 items of the first-generation mannequin have been offered in Australia, with a 42 per cent mixture of hybrid gross sales for the reason that possibility went on sale in 2019. The C-HR has been a success overseas, taking the title of Toyota’s finest promoting hybrid in Europe.

Quick ahead to right this moment, and the second-generation is right here sporting an much more avantgarde design than its predecessor and packing a hybrid-only lineup. The place the previous mannequin was sourced from Japan, the brand new one strikes to Turkish manufacturing.

It arrives as a way more costly proposition than earlier than too, with the worth of entry up by greater than $10,000; and the top-spec GR Sport AWD is nudging the $60,000 mark on the highway.

Has Toyota’s sporty little crossover coupe packed in sufficient upgrades to justify its larger pricing?

How a lot does the Toyota C-HR price?

Costs are properly up on the earlier Japan-sourced mannequin, with the entry level some $11,000 larger – however the brand new 2024 Toyota C-HR is best outfitted as normal, and now comes out of Turkey.

2024 Toyota C-HR pricing:

2024 Toyota C-HR GXL 2WD: $42,9902024 Toyota C-HR Koba 2WD: $49,9902024 Toyota C-HR GR Sport AWD: $54,990

Costs exclude on-road prices

To see how the C-HR traces up in opposition to its rivals, try our comparability software.

What’s the Toyota C-HR like on the within?

You may’t accuse the C-HR of being dreary within the cabin like a few of its stablemates. It’s truly fairly fetching.

As the unique pushed the boundaries for Toyota and blurred the traces with the luxurious Lexus model, the C-HR takes a number of high-end appointments from dearer automobiles and crams them right into a compact cabin.

All fashions characteristic high-resolution 12.3-inch shows for the central touchscreen, operating Toyota’s newest interface and absolutely featured when it comes to connectivity and net-based companies. The bottom GXL will get a 7.0-inch digital instrument cluster, whereas the Koba and GR Sport get Toyota’s flagship 12.3-inch digital cockpit.

All of it appears to be like and feels swish, and it’s offered in a cabin that’s fairly driver-focused and properly trimmed, particularly in comparison with one thing like a RAV4 or Corolla Cross that are noticeably extra utilitarian. One other good contact is the color head-up show normal on the Koba and GR Sport, which could be configured to indicate pace, help options and the like.

The sweeping sprint and cockpit-style design additionally give off a sporting really feel, and no matter variant you get snug seats, heaps of adjustment, and premium-feeling supplies which all have a minimum of partial recycled properties.

Toyota says the woven textile upholstery is constructed from 100 per cent recycled supplies, whereas the suede bits in Koba and GR Sport fashions have 45 per cent recycled supplies. PET bottles are a foremost ingredient of those.

Step as much as the Koba and GR Sport and also you additionally get pretty bucket-style sports activities seats with built-in headrests, energy adjustment for the motive force, in addition to heating up entrance. Regardless, the accessible entrance seats are snug and supply good adjustment, as does the steering wheel.

It’s all fairly purposeful. There are first rate door bins to retailer bottles – although I don’t assume a 1L Frank Inexperienced will squeeze in there – in addition to a grippy telephone holder that doubles as a wi-fi charger on the Koba and GR-S. There’s an enormous cubby below the centre armrest too, along with a shelf forward of the entrance passenger.

Construct high quality feels fairly good throughout the board, and there’s a pleasant solidity to the motion of the assorted buttons and controls littered all through the cabin. We’re glad Toyota determined to retain bodily switchgear for probably the most half, too.

The second row has by no means been a C-HR standout given its coupe-like styling, although it’s doable for shorter journeys supplied you don’t have nausea-prone passengers.

Leg- and knee room in significantly are on the comfortable facet for taller passengers behind taller drivers, and there are restricted facilities to go together with the rising shoulder line that considerably obstructs outward view for the vertically challenged.

You get cupholders within the doorways, however that’s about it. There’s no fold-down centre armrest, no directional rear air vents, and no map pockets.

ISOFIX and top-tether factors characteristic although, if it is advisable to cart alongside your little ones. Koba and GR-S variants additionally choose up a USB-C charging port on the rear of the centre console.

Cargo capability differs barely between variants. The 2WD GXL and Koba quote 388-1155L, whereas the AWD GR Sport drops that barely to 362-1134L – consider the GR-S has a second electrical motor below the boot flooring.

Solely the bottom GXL comes with an area saver spare wheel, whereas the Koba and GR-S make do with a tyre restore equipment.

What’s below the bonnet?

There are two hybrid powertrains accessible within the new-generation C-HR.

In Europe, there’s additionally a ‘Plug-in Hybrid 220’ variant that will get a beefier 120kW entrance electrical motor and 13.6kWh li-ion battery pack, quoting system energy output of 164kW and WLTP electrical vary of 64 kilometres (claimed).

It’s not on the playing cards for Australia simply but, although Toyota Australia hasn’t dominated it out completely for a future launch.

How does the Toyota C-HR drive?

The unique C-HR was one of many early adopters of the TNGA platform and provided a fantastically balanced drive – this new one is even higher once more.

Our launch drive took us from the inner-city out by Victoria’s japanese hall to Launching Place, covers an metropolis and suburban visitors, highways, and winding B-roads by the hills.

My first leg of the drive was within the mid-spec Koba, which will get an upgraded 1.8-litre hybrid system making 14 per cent extra energy than the previous one at 103kW, courtesy of a brand new hybrid transaxle and energy management unit, in addition to a beefier battery pack which runs lithium-ion chemistry in comparison with the previous nickel steel hydride unit.

The additional grunt is noticeable, with higher electrical help at regular speeds after which a bit extra energy when getting onto the freeway. It’ll additionally spend extra time in EV mode due to the extra vitality dense battery and stronger electrical motor.

With that mentioned, the bottom C-HR isn’t any efficiency automobile, and is finest pushed in a sedate method to maximise effectivity and refinement. You’ll reap the advantages in gas financial savings too – a cool widget within the instrument cluster may also let you know your ratio of EV driving, which was exhibiting between 60 and 80 per cent within the Koba.

It’s properly settled on the freeway too, with a full suite of lively help to take the load off longer stints.

Toyota’s semi-autonomous freeway assistant does an admirable job at sustaining a protected distance from the automobile in entrance whereas remaining centred in your lane.

There’s the odd event the place it tugs a bit of an excessive amount of on the wheel and it could be a bit of conservative with the space from a automobile getting into the lane forward, however it’s nonetheless intuitive.

All variations of the C-HR additionally come normal with blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert which is helpful given the coupe styling and enormous C-pillars.

It additionally ties in with the ambient lighting – it’ll glow purple when it detects an oncoming automobile, and can do related for the Secure Exit Help operate to go together with the audible warning.

Our time in each the Koba and GR Sport additionally revealed the superb experience and dealing with stability baked into this little crossover.

Just like the final era, the brand new C-HR affords fluid and correct steering which makes it very nice to pilot each on the town, on the freeway, and on winding nation roads. It has a really upmarket and European really feel to it.

Couple that with a candy chassis that provides deft dealing with and a properly resolved experience throughout all eventualities, and you’ve got a automobile that’s stress-free and cozy.

The turn-in is sharp and physique management properly sorted, giving off the extra athletic DNA Toyota is pitching, nonetheless I’d argue each drivetrain variants lack the spark required for correct engagement significantly on larger pace roads.

A slurring CVT – even when Toyota claims it has seven synthetic speeds – isn’t going to be as enjoyable to drive as one thing like a equally priced Volkswagen T-Roc with a DSG dual-clutch auto. The GR Sport doesn’t even have paddle shifters.

In saying that, the additional kick from the beefier 2.0-litre hybrid system is notable and welcomed, and you’ll actually really feel it within the preliminary response due to the extra e-motor on the rear which facilitates electrified AWD.

The GR Sport builds pace properly however it’s not as fast because the aforementioned T-Roc or one thing like a Hyundai Kona N Line 1.6T. Like I discussed earlier, the CVT isn’t a very inspiring transmission and there’s no paddles or a a handbook mode both.

For me it is a key cause why I don’t assume you really want to improve to the GR Sport. Except you really want the additional grunt or AWD, the C-HR 2WD Hybrid in GXL and Koba trims is considerably cheaper and remains to be good to drive.

Whatever the model you select, you’ll get pleasure from wonderful gas consumption that would see you journey as much as 1000 kilometres between fills. Each the Koba and GR Sport variations we examined had been returning an indicated determine across the 5.0L/100km mark, regardless of prolonged freeway stints and a few extra dynamic driving.

On a secondary loop with the Koba on the town the next day, the C-HR returned excessive 3.0s and low 4.0s which is a greater indicator of real-world every day eventualities for most individuals. Price noting is also the small 43-litre gas tank throughout the vary will fortunately run on cheaper 91 RON unleaded.

Lastly, total refinement was typically fairly good within the Koba and GR Sport.

You do get a little bit of tyre roar over rougher highway surfaces, however the C-HR does a great job at holding the cabin subdued and in case you want some further ambient noise to drown out the surface world the eight-speaker JBL premium audio system within the Koba and GR Sport works properly.

Even noise from the petrol engines is subdued in comparison with different Toyota hybrid product, although the rumbly engine notice of the Atkinson cycle motors is one more reason to not push these too exhausting.

What do you get?

GXL, Koba, and GR Sport trim grades carryover, although the GR Sport now serves because the halo fairly than being an equal to the Koba as was the case with the earlier era.

C-HR GXL highlights:

17-inch alloy wheelsLED headlights, handbook levellingLED daytime operating lightsLED tail lightsRain-sensing wipers7.0-inch digital instrument cluster12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment systemToyota Related Providers (1yr subscription)6-speaker sound systemDual-zone local weather controlKeyless entry, push-button startFabric upholstery‘Sporty cloth’ entrance seats

C-HR Koba provides:

19-inch alloy wheelsBi-LED headlights, auto levellingAdaptive high-beamPower tailgate12.3-inch digital instrument clusterHead-up displayDigital rear-view mirror9-speaker sound systemWireless smartphone chargerPremium sport suede, cloth seatsHeated entrance seatsPowered driver’s seat adjustment

C-HR GR Sport provides:

Distinctive 19-inch alloy wheelsUnique exterior featuresUpgraded brakesAluminium scuff platesHeated GR-branded steering wheelGR-branded flooring matsGR Sport suede, cloth seats

Choices

The C-HR has pretty restricted elective gadgets, restricted to larger grades.

Two-Tone premium paint: $775Two-Tone Plus premium paint: $1550 (Koba, GR-S)Two-Tone Plus premium paint + panoramic roof: $2700 (Koba, GR-S)

Is the Toyota C-HR protected?

The brand new Toyota C-HR is at present untested and unrated by ANCAP and Euro NCAP.

Normal security gear consists of:

10 airbagsAdaptive cruise controlAutomatic excessive beamAutonomous emergency braking (AEB)Blind-spot monitoringDriver monitoring cameraEmergency steering assistIntelligent park assistLane change assistLane departure warningLane maintain assistParking sensors entrance, rearRear cross-traffic alertRear seat occupant reminderRoad Signal AssistSafe Exit AssistSurround-view cameraToyota Related Providers

How a lot does the Toyota C-HR price to run?

The C-HR is roofed by Toyota’s five-year, unlimited-kilometre new automobile guarantee.

Additional, Toyota affords a further two years of engine and driveline guarantee in case you persist with your automobile is “correctly serviced and maintained as per the Guarantee and Service ebook”, and can assure the hybrid battery for as much as 10 years below the identical upkeep circumstances.

5 years of capped-price servicing is obtainable too, with intervals of 12 months or 15,000 kilometres – whichever comes first. Every go to prices $250, totalling $1250 for the primary 5 years of possession.

Only one 12 months of Toyota Related Providers is included with buy, with month-to-month paid subscriptions required after that preliminary 12-month interval for numerous net-based options. For the complete breakdown, click on right here.

CarExpert’s Tackle the Toyota C-HR

If you happen to’re the form of individual that sees Toyota as ‘boring’, you may’t stage that criticism on the new C-HR.

With idea automobile appears to be like (take a look at it subsequent to the C-HR Prologue), tremendous environment friendly drivetrains, and good vary of variants with aggressive gear ranges, the second era crossover coupe is a stable providing that picks up the place its predecessor left off.

Costs are up considerably throughout the board, however that’s additionally testomony to how aggressive the previous one was. Whenever you consider the hybrid vary, in addition to the rise in gear and tech, the C-HR isn’t all that dangerous relative to an more and more dear section.

Most rivals from Asian manufacturers are enjoying in the identical value bracket lately, a minimum of with respect to the GXL and Koba. It’s additionally far more attention-grabbing and premium-feeling than the associated Corolla Cross, even when it will get the two.0-litre hybrid as an possibility on all variants.

The upmarket cabin design and finishes in addition to the sporty bucket seats all give off a extremely premium appear and feel. Whereas the Lexus UX is sort of equally distinctive in design, its current repositioning sees even the most affordable one priced in keeping with the C-HR GR Sport.

For me the Koba is the straightforward choose of the vary. It bisects the GXL and Koba on value, affords the tech and comfort options headlining this new era, and it’s additionally customisable with the Two-Tone Plus paint choices.

It’ll be attention-grabbing to see how Australians obtain the brand new C-HR. If the brand new one was already area of interest, this new one is sort of unique, a minimum of in the way it appears to be like and the extent of exterior personalisation on supply.

If you happen to’re trying already at a high-spec Corolla Cross Hybrid or perhaps a RAV4 Hybrid and don’t essentially don’t want the area, the C-HR could possibly be a cool ticket into the SUV brigade that doesn’t drive you to shell out on a premium equal.

Plus, whereas the preliminary shopping for value is excessive, a budget ongoing operating prices and Toyota’s penchant for long-term reliability imply that there’s some added peace of thoughts that won’t include different style-led choices.