Review – Toyota C-HR (2024) – Tough but economical

Predator

The first-generation Toyota C-HR proved to be a valuable asset for Toyota. The model – introduced in 2016 – very successfully managed to lure buyers away from other automakers. Nearly 60% of all new C-HR owners previously drove a car from a Toyota competitor. In a world where brand loyalty is often taken for granted, this is a handsome achievement. Is the new, second-generation C-HR also such a predator?

Spaceship on wheels

The design will not be an issue. Toyota once again dares to color outside the lines with the C-HR. It is a true intergalactic showstopper. Starship Enterprise on Wheels. The Millennium Falcon among crossovers. You get the idea, it looks futuristic. Just look at the almost completely closed nose and the so-called Hammerhead headlights, which we already know in a similar form from the new Prius, Aygo X and bZ4X.

Hip but less practical

On the side, the 20-inch wheels stand out, as do the unusual creases in the bodywork. The two-tone colors, with a black roof and, for an additional charge, black body panels, add an extra dimension to the design. At the rear, a giant extended “LED bar” draws attention. Inside, the Japanese is precisely not a spaceship. The flat rear window creates a coupe look, but gets in the way of rear-seat passengers who are taller than 6 feet. The luggage compartment, with a capacity of up to 388 liters, offers enough space for daily shopping or a few suitcases and weekend bags. If luggage space is a priority for you, consider the Corolla Cross from Toyota.

Brave interior

The interior, on the other hand, exudes a certain modesty. No screens in unexpected places, as is the case in the new Prius. No, the instrument cluster is neatly located behind the steering wheel and in the center of the dashboard sits bravely the infotainment system. The interior even takes a step back in time. In the center console we discover no less than fifteen physical buttons. A rarity anno 2023! A smart move, if you ask us. Physical buttons make life behind the wheel considerably more pleasant than touch-sensitive alternatives. Or worse, digital buttons on a screen. Car manufacturers, are you watching?

Warpdrive?

The C-HR will be introduced with three electrified powertrains. The 1.8-liter hybrid powertrain, known from the current Corolla, delivers 140 horsepower, while the 2.0-liter hybrid powertrain offers 197 horsepower. For the driver who wants extra horsepower, there is also a 2.0-liter plug-in hybrid powertrain with a total output of 223 horsepower and an electric range of 66 kilometers.

Which one should you have?

During our first introduction, we test drive the 1.8 and 2.0 Hybrid. Both are about equally economical. And economical they are: on paper, they are good for a combined consumption of 4.7 liters/100 km and 4.9 liters/100 kilometers, respectively. We will examine the consumption during a longer test period on Dutch soil, but during our first encounter on the Spanish party island, we achieved these figures without any difficulty.

We would therefore go straight for the 2.0-liter, because nearly 60 extra horsepower without a noticeable increase in fuel economy is a sweet deal. You will have to transfer some more euros to the local Toyota dealer. In fact, the 1.8 Hybrid comes from 37,295 euros. For the nearly 200-hp 2.0 Hybrid, the brand is asking a minimum of 42,495 euros. Both variants will be at dealerships in late 2023. The PHEV will arrive in early 2024 and has a starting price of 45,995 euros.

AutoRAI TV – Toyota C-HR (2024) Review

On the road, you also clearly notice that you have some extra power with the 2.0 Hybrid. Although the 140-horsepower 1.8 Hybrid will also more than keep up with traffic. Want to know more about the driving experience offered by the new Toyota C-HR? Then watch the video below: