Toyota C-HR SUV
New from £31,290 / £269 p/m
Is the Toyota C-HR SUV a good car?
Read our expert review
Words by: Autotrader
"The second-generation Toyota C-HR is truly striking to look at, and it’s almost as nice on the inside too. Available initially as a hybrid, and later on as a plug-in hybrid, it promises some seriously low running costs, even with current fuel prices. Space in the back is pretty tight, though, and it looks expensive even compared to other similarly specified Toyotas, let alone rivals from Kia, Hyundai and Ford."
Read the review by category
Running costs for a Toyota C-HR
While the new Toyota C-HR isn’t the cheapest car in its class — even taking rival hybrids into account — it will almost certainly be one of the most economical. Whether you choose the basic 1.8-litre hybrid, or the 2.0-litre version, you’re going to find it easy to average 60mpg. There’s potential for even better if you’re driving mostly around town and making the most of the frequent short bursts of electric-only running. Toyota has tempting finance offers in place to keep the monthly repayments low, while first-year VED/road tax is ultra-low thanks to the car’s low emissions rating – so long as you can resist the temptation of the GR Sport and Premiere Edition models.
Reliability of a Toyota C-HR
While this is clearly a new model, there’s nothing all that new about the mechanicals under the C-HR’s body. Both the 1.8- and 2.0-litre hybrid systems are shared with the likes of the Toyota Corolla , and are well-proven already. The interior fixtures and fittings, such as the touch-screen, are also shared with other models in the Toyota family, including high-end Lexus models, so should prove trouble-free, and the infotainment system can receive over-the-air software updates, which ought to take care of any minor niggles. Toyota has an enviable reputation for reliability and quality and offers a standard three-year warranty for all its cars. If you keep it serviced yearly with a franchised Toyota dealer it will then be extended for another year, up to ten years and 100,000 miles.
Safety for a Toyota C-HR
The new C-HR has not yet been tested by the independent safety experts at Euro NCAP, but the Corolla, with which it shares a platform and engines, got a full five-star rating when it was tested in 2019, so we’d expect the C-HR to perform similarly. The C-HR comes with a substantial list of standard safety equipment across the range, including radar-monitored cruise control, a blind spot alert, a system that warns you not to open your door if a cyclist is approaching and lane tracing steering, as well as the usual emergency automatic braking, traction control and stability control.
How comfortable is the Toyota C-HR
The C-HR scores well for cabin comfort, as long as you’re sitting in the front. The front seats get a high-backed, bucket-style design and have an excellent combination of comfort and support, while there’s plenty of adjustment in the steering wheel, so both tall and short drivers should be able to find a good position. The only downside, really, is that those seats are set a touch high up for taller drivers. It’s also good that, in spite of having an impressive touch-screen, Toyota has kept a set of physical buttons for the heating and ventilation controls which means it’s so much easier to get comfortable, and to keep things adjusted to suit, when you’re on the move. The interior fabrics are a mixture of ‘animal-free leather’ and cloth made from recycled plastic bottles, all of which help to trim the C-HR’s lifetime carbon emissions, as well as proving to be both pleasant to touch and — hopefully — hard-wearing. The news in the back isn’t quite as good. Just as with the old C-HR, there is actually reasonable space in the back — even six-footers should find that they have enough legroom and headroom — but the shallow windows and high sills mean it feels dark and claustrophobic, which isn’t going to be good news if you’re trying to put kids back there. Overall refinement is very good, though, with little noticeable wind or tyre noise, but the engine — as is common in hybrid models — can rev intrusively when you need to accelerate, especially up a long incline. Ride comfort is mixed. On the optional 20-inch wheels, there’s too much thump and bounce, so try to stick to the standard 18-inch rims. Find a sufficiently twisty road and the new model rises to the challenge, feeling agile and zippy in a way that most rivals just don’t — with the possible exception of the Ford Puma.
Features of the Toyota C-HR
The C-HR will be offered in Icon, Design, Excel, GR Sport trims and the range-topping Premiere Edition. All come with digital instruments, using a 12.3-inch screen with plenty of information, but without the display looking cluttered or confusing. The touch-screen in the centre of the dash uses the latest Toyota software, which is a massive improvement over the previous C-HR. The graphics are crisp and clear, and the menu layout reasonably sensible and easy to find your way around. There’s wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, and a wireless phone charger too. Meanwhile, the standard-fit navigation system is cloud-connected and able to provide live traffic information and agile re-routing. Higher-spec models get faux-leather seats and synthetic suede on the door panels, but all C-HRs get a pleasant faux-leather steering wheel wrap, which feels expensive. Buyers can specify a handy head-up display, which projects the speed and navigation directions on the windscreen.
Power for a Toyota C-HR
For now, the C-HR comes with a choice of two hybrid engines, with a plug-in hybrid capable of around 40 miles of electric-only driving to follow. The entry-level hybrid engine is really the best. The 1.8-litre system will be familiar to anyone who’s driven a Corolla, and while the 9.9-second 0-62mph time doesn’t look all that impressive on paper its 140 horsepower feels entirely adequate on the road. A slight tendency to harshness when you’re revving it hard has to be offset against its excellent 60mpg real-world economy. Is it worth upgrading to the more expensive 2.0-litre hybrid? Not really, to be honest. While you do get more power, and it is a little faster, the difference seems greater on paper than it does on the road, so you’re better off saving a few pounds and sticking with the basic engine. At least there’s no fuel economy nor emissions penalty — the 2.0-litre proves to be just as economical in the real world, and it’s only a couple of g/km worse off in terms of emissions. Because the C-HR is a hybrid, there is a regenerative braking system which helps to keep the small battery topped up as you drive, but it’s mostly keen to let the car coast as much as possible when you lift off. That is until the front-facing camera spots another car in front of you, and then the system ramps up the regenerative braking to help slow you down, giving you a modicum of electric-car-style ‘one-pedal’ braking.
Lease deals
These deals are based on terms of 8,000 miles, for a 36 month lease with a 6 months initial payment.
£355.42
Monthly payment
£2,132.49
Initial payment
- 5 seats
- 5 doors
- SUV
- Hybrid
- Automatic
- 1.8 litres
£332.27
Monthly payment
£1,993.60
Initial payment
- 5 seats
- 5 doors
- SUV
- Hybrid
- Automatic
- 1.8 litres
£358.22
Monthly payment
£2,149.34
Initial payment
- 5 seats
- 5 doors
- SUV
- Hybrid
- Automatic
- 1.8 litres
£393.78
Monthly payment
£2,362.70
Initial payment
- 5 seats
- 5 doors
- SUV
- Hybrid
- Automatic
- 1.8 litres
Standard equipment
Expect the following equipment on your Toyota C-HR SUV. This may vary between trim levels.
- 17in Alloy Wheels - 5 Double Spoke - Silver
- Automatic Headlight Cut-Off
- Automatically Retractable Door Mirrors
- B-Pillar in Black
- Black Wheel Arch Moulding
- Body Coloured Door Handles
- Body Coloured Rear Spoiler
- Body-Coloured Front Bumper
- Door Edge Protection Film
- Door Scuff Plates
- Electric Heated Door Mirrors
- Flush Front Door Handles
- Flush Rear Door Handles
- Front Power Windows
- Grained Front Side Grille
- Grained Lower Front Grille
- Grained Rear Bumper Extension
- Gunmetal Surround on Lower Front Grille
- Hybrid Key Cover
- Intermittent Windscreen Wipers
- LED Turning Signal Integrated in Door Mirrors
- Locking Wheel Nuts
- Power-Adjustable Door Mirrors
- Pre-Wiring for Towing Hook
- Rear Bumper with Gunmetal Insert
- Rear Power Windows
- Rear Window Defogger
- Scuff Plates
- Standard Front Side Grille
- Tyre Repair Kit
- UV-Filter on Drivers and Front Passenger Windows
- UV-Filter on Rear Windows
- Variable Intermittent Windscreen Wipers
- 3-Spoke Synthetic Leather Steering Wheel
- 7in Digital Combimeter
- Adjustable Rear Headrests
- Audio Switches on Steering Wheel
- Auto Dimming Rear View Mirror
- Auto Up and Down Function on Power Windows
- Auto Wipers
- Automatic Air Conditioning
- Black Centre Air Vent
- Black Side Air Vents
- Boot Door Release with Push Button
- Boot Light
- Centre Pillar Assist Grips
- Clean Air Filter
- Coat Hooks - 2x Rear
- Dark Grey Interior Door Handles
- Driver and Front Passenger Personal Lights
- Fabric Door Trims
- Fabric Rear Door Armrests
- Fixed Speed Camera Notification
- Floor Mats
- Front Console Box
- Front Cup Holders
- Front Door Pockets
- Front Pillar Assist Grips
- Front Room Light
- Glovebox with Light
- Hard Tonneau Cover
- Hooks for Luggage Holding Net
- Lane Departure Alert Switch on Steering Wheel
- Light on Driver Sun Visor
- Light on Passenger Sun Visor
- Luggage Floor Board with Protection Mat
- Manual Telescopic Steering Wheel
- Manual Tilt Steering Wheel
- Manually Height-Adjustable Driver Seat
- Manually Reclining Driver Seat
- Manually Reclining Front Passengers Seat
- Manually Sliding Drivers Seat
- Manually Sliding Front Passenger Seat
- Microphone on Front Personal Light
- Mirror on Driver Sun Visor
- Mirror on Passenger Sun Visor
- Multimedia Switches on Steering Wheel
- PVC Gear Shift Knob
- Pollen Air Filter
- Push Button Start
- Rear Door Pockets
- Rear Headrests x3
- Rear Passenger Personal Lights
- Rear Seats 60-40 Split Folding
- Remote Air Conditioning System
- Remote Boot Door Release in Cabin
- Satin Chrome Insert on Centre Air Vents
- Satin Chrome Insert on Side Air Vents
- Satin Chrome Side Air Vents Surrounds
- Seats - Front Sport
- Single Compartment Glovebox
- Slow Opening Lower Glovebox
- Telephone Switches on Steering Wheel
- Voice Recognition Switch on Steering Wheel
- 8in Multimedia System
- Aux-In Connector
- Bluetooth Connectivity
- Cloud Navigation
- Colour Multi-Information Display
- Connected Services
- Digital Audio Broadcast - DAB
- Front 12V Power Outlet
- Front USB Type-C Connector
- Smartphone Remote Hazard Lights System
- Speakers x6
- Toyota Smart Connect with Smartphone Integration including Apple CarPlay
- USB-C Cable
- Wireless Smartphone Integration including Apple CarPlay
- eCall Emergency Call System
- Acceleration Suppression at Low Speeds
- Airbags - Driver Knee
- Anti-Jam Protection on Power Windows
- Anti-Lock Braking System - ABS - with Electronic Brake Force Distribution - EBD
- Automatic Rear Flashing Hazard Lights
- Child Safety Door Locks
- Driver Monitoring Camera
- Driver and Front Passenger Whiplash Injury Lessening - WIL - Seats
- Driver and Passenger Side Airbag
- Electronic Parking Brake
- Emergency Brake-Light Signal - EBS
- Emergency Driving Stop System
- Emergency Steering Assist
- Front Seat Belt Reminder
- Front to Front Oncoming Car and Motorbike Daytime Detection
- Glass-Breaking Alarm Sensors
- HAC - Hill Start Assist Control
- ISOFIX Child Restraint System
- Immobiliser
- Intrusion Alarm
- Intrusion Sensor
- LED Rear Fog Lamps
- Lane Trace Assist
- Motion Sensor Alarm
- Passenger Airbag On-Off Switch
- Power Door Locks
- Pre-Collision System with Intersection Detection
- Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian - Cyclist and Motorbike Detection
- Pre-Tensioners and Force Limiters
- Proactive Driving Assist - PDA
- Rear Seat Belt Reminder
- Rear Seat Reminder
- Remote Door Lock
- Smart Entry and Push-Button Start
- Smartphone Remote Door Lock
- Supplemental Restraint System - SRS - Airbags - 3 Airbags
- TSS3
- Toyota Safety Sense
- VSC - Vehicle Stability Control
- Adjustable Speed Limiter - ASL
- Electric Power Steering - EPS
- Stop and Start System
- Auto Headlights
- Automatic High Beam
- Follow Me Home Headlights
- Headlight Cut-Off Reminder
- LED Daytime Running Lights
- LED High Mounted Stop Light
- LED Parabola Headlights
- LED Rear Brake Lights
- LED Rear Combination Lights
- LED Reflector Headlights
- Manual Headlight Levelling
- Puddle Lights
- Blind Spot Monitoring with Safe Exit Assist
- Digital Speedometer
- Digital Tachometer
- Hybrid System Indicator
- Intelligent Adaptive Cruise Control
- Reversing Camera Display in Multimedia System
- Road Events
- Road Sign Assist
- Smart Voice Assist
- Static Guide Lines on Reversing Camera
- Tyre Pressure Warning System
Your questions answered
Monthly rentals ('payments') are not an offer of credit. Payments are based on offers available today which may be withdrawn or varied at any time in the future without notice.
Contract Hire ('Leasing') is subject to status and approval and is only available to UK residents aged 18 and over. Vehicle must be returned with no more than fair wear and tear to avoid further charges. You will not own the vehicle. Excess mileage charges and return conditions apply.
Autotrader Limited (Firm Reference Number: 735711) is a credit broker and not a lender. Autotrader Limited introduces you to Autotrader Leasing Limited, which acts as a credit broker in its own right. Autotrader Leasing Limited, No.3 Circle Square, 3 Hawkshaw Street, Manchester, M1 7BL (Firm Reference Number: 630748) may go on to introduce you to one of a limited number of leasing companies. Autotrader Leasing Limited will typically receive a commission or other benefits from the leasing company as a result of this introduction.
Autotrader Leasing Limited is an Autotrader Group Plc company.
Vehicles are subject to availability and may vary from images shown.