– By Rod Fuller –
Live a little, they say. Be different; try something new. All true and all can be said about the Toyota C-HR.
C-HR’s ‘in your face styling’ is funky, vibrant and surprisingly attractive. C-HR is car that wants to be different, be noticed. The C-HR I drove was Tonka truck yellow. So yellow that it matched the coffee cup from my local café. Love it! But honestly, I feel this colour encapsulates the fun and lifestyle that C-HR offers.
There are 15 different colour options to choose from (including roof customisation options available on Koba model only) and other colour garnishes for the mirrors, fog lamp trims, side/front trims, even wheel centre caps. So you can colour C-HR to suit your style.
C-HR successfully blurs the lines of a hatchback, coupe and SUV. It has the practicality of a small five door hatch SUV, but looks like a coupe. C-HR achieves this effect through the high window line of the rear doors and the design of their handles. A design win on the outside though, has a cost on the inside. Rear seat passengers enjoy good head and leg room. But with the high window line, it can feel a bit claustrophobic and expect the kids to complain that they can’t see out the side window.
C-HR’s interior design matches the exterior, as it is refreshingly different; and from the driver’s seat the sweeping lines of the dashboard and console are impressive. Annoyingly though the centre console compartment lid is suited to LHD versions, as its shape restricts easy access for the driver in RHD markets. The instrument and touchscreen displays are well positioned, easily read and operated.
The C-HR is fun to drive, riding comfortably and quietly on 215/60R17 Bridgestone tyres. Seating position for the driver is very good (with reach and height adjustable steering) as is forward visibility with front quarter windows minimising blind spots.
Toyota’s Safety Sense+ system features on C-HR, including:-
- Pre-Collision Safety system with Pedestrian Detection
- Blind Spot Warning
- Active Cruise Control
- Lane Departure Alert and Assist
- Rear-Cross Traffic Alert
- Automatic High Beam.
Other electronic driver aids feature on C-HR that make everyday driving easier. The electric park brake automatically engages and disengages when you put the transmission into and out of ‘Park’. The ‘Hold’ function simply does that, when you are stopped in traffic or on a hill, so you don’t have to keep holding the brake.
Dual zone climate control keeps you comfortable inside the C-HR and for fresh air, the power windows are all auto up/down. The Touchscreen/Reversing camera display also controls audio, phone and Sat Nav functions. Voice command features via blue tooth connectivity for basic phone operation, but Apple Car Play/Android Auto are not available. Only one USB and 12V are provided.
Driving the C-HR, the 1.2litre turbo engine (85kW 185Nm) will zip about the city and suburbs with ease, but struggles with fast acceleration to merge at highway speed. Fuel economy is good at 6.3lt/100km (combined) but requires 95RON premium unleaded. CO2 emissions are 141g/km. The CVT auto transmission as expected is smooth and seamless.
Toyota offers a three year 100,000km warranty, capped price servicing and 24/7 roadside assist on C-HR.
C-HR is a striking and stylishly designed vehicle that will appeal to many people looking for a practical small SUV that looks to be more, and certainly stands out from the crowd.
