Toyota C-HR Review 2024

The original Toyota C-HR was a big hit with car buyers who loved its looks, even though the compact SUV was a little compromised when it came to space inside. Now there’s a new model in showrooms. Our Toyota C-HR review reveals if it’s a winner, too.

There’s no doubt the second-generation car is eye-catching. It boasts an exterior look and feel that continues Toyota’s current design ethos, helping it slip into the line-up with ease.

This is especially so when put alongside the equally appealing Toyota Yaris and Toyota Yaris Cross cars. However, catch a fleeting glimpse of one and it could easily pass for a Lexus.

On the downside, the latest Toyota C-HR still feels quite compact on the inside, which was also a trait of the original model.

Anyone who’s keen to own a car with a bit of personality will therefore love the looks if they’re prepared to compromise on interior space levels.

That said, the new Toyota C-HR has rivals, with the likes of the stylish Peugeot 3008, solid Skoda Karoq, appealing Kia Niro or ever-popular Nissan Qashqai all viable alternatives.

Those wanting something less showy, though, will be equally happy with Toyota’s very own Corolla.

If you can live with the compact interior, the latest Toyota C-HR offers up a rewarding drive thanks to a wider track and tweaked chassis that feels taut and eager to be pushed through challenging corners.

Indeed, when driven enthusiastically, the Toyota C-HR can prove to be very good fun on some of our more interesting B-roads.

Less impressive is the way the two engine options, 1.8-litre or 2.0-litre petrol hybrids, meet challenges with animated revving.

This is largely down to being mated to an automatic CVT gearbox, a partnership that needs to be nursed by your right foot in order to avoid sounding frantic on occasions. However, the cute little drive shifter is a neat touch and makes mode selection a bit of a treat.

Things are impressive around town, mind, especially when the Toyota C-HR draws on its hybrid potential and car starts to feel much more measured and enjoyable.

A soon-to-come PHEV edition of the car could appeal even more to folks needing an everyday car that will be frugal to run for those shorter daily drives. 

While the Toyota C-HR isn’t a fast car, despite the 140PS of the smaller engine and 198PS of the 2.0-litre, it’s great when it gets going.

Motorway mileage is steadfast and easy, helped by the comfort provided by the interior. There have been some tweaks to the overall design that means there’s more glass and a generally less closed-in vibe than on the earlier model.

Around town, the Toyota C-HR can be manoeuvred easily, despite the shortcomings delivered by that quite closed in rear end.

It’s an easier car to get into spaces than its predecessor for sure, with help if you need it from the reversing camera.

The car is a lot smoother, too, especially if you select the electric-only option for short hops, and setting off is eerily silent (which is a marked contrast to when the engine starts doing its thing).

Where the Toyota C-HR falls a bit flat is in the way the power is delivered, and this is especially noticeable if you’re heavy footed with the accelerator pedal.

Both engines don’t respond well to being pushed, so there is a tendency to feel like you’ve got to take it as easy as possible.

It gets better the more you drive it, but the Toyota C-HR isn’t quite as refined as it looks like it should be.

The Japanese company is a past master when it comes to hybrid powertrains and, in the case of the Toyota C-HR, the choice of engines on offer works perfectly.

The SUV comes with either a 1.8-litre or 2.0-litre petrol engine, mated to an e-CVT gearbox, with a PHEV model to follow in the near future.

For now, either engine provides a spirited drive, which is helped by the agile chassis and its associated tweaks that aid handling. You’ll need to select Sport mode to really notice this, though.

The original model of the Toyota C-HR was awarded five stars from Euro NCAP, so the new car should match that despite the more stringent rules and regulation that dominate testing now.

Toyota has seen fit to incorporate its Safety Sense software, so the car certainly boasts the latest features and functionality.

There’s the benefit of a warning if you try and open your door into the path of a cyclist, along with more expected options such as lane change assistance and driver monitoring.

Towing capacity of the new Toyota C-HR is 725kg braked and the same for unbraked.

Anyone who experienced the interior of the original Toyota C-HR will know it was a little lean when it came to space, especially in the back.

Not much has changed with the new version, with a dominating dashboard design in the front of the cockpit that runs down into the door panels.

It looks great, but can tend to make you feel a little too enveloped if you’ve got a larger frame.

The front seats offer up plenty of comfort, though, and, this being an SUV-style design, the seat position is higher than you might expect, but can be adjusted with ease.

Toyota’s designers have made a real effort with the look and feel of everything on that impressive dash design, with a functional digital display in front of the wheel offering up crisp and clear information on everyday essentials.

Slip into the back seats and it’s the same old Toyota C-HR compromise, with space levels less generous for adults, but perfectly fine if you’ve got younger kids.

Couples who only have themselves to think about will warm to the extra comfort touches that comes with the higher trim levels.

Getting in and out of the Toyota C-HR is easier this time around, too, with pop-out door handles, which are way better than the rear pillar-mounted ones of old that looked better than they worked.

Couples will also be fine with the less than huge boot space, which is ideal for small bags and cases, but could prove to be more problematic for anyone with pushchairs, prams and associated accessories to fret about.

This will be even more apparent in the PHEV edition, due to its technical configuration. Not only is the area fairly limited, but the way the space has been designed around the lovely body style means you’re fighting against lots of odd angles.

It’s inviting for bags of shopping, but less so if you’ve got boxes and other angular bits to squeeze in.

Attempts to use sustainable materials and recycled fibres across the interior have resulted in a cockpit that feels premium yet durable, which is another bonus if you’re planning on using the Toyota C-HR for family duties.

There’s a range of robust surfaces that look like they’ll handle the rigours of family use, depending on which grade you go for and the amount you’re prepared to spend.

There’s not as much storage for miscellaneous stuff as anticipated though.

All cars have their infotainment quirks and the latest Toyota C-HR is no different in that respect. But it’s an improvement on the outgoing car, which featured rather tired looking graphics.

The new model is dominated by either an eight-inch standard issue infotainment touchscreen, which juts up out of the dash in fairly showy style, or on more expensive trim levels, a 12.3-inch display.

The added screen acreage is most welcome and for the most part it does the job. 

Thankfully, there is a decent level of manual controls on offer for climate and other core operations, which supplement what’s on offer inside the screen menus, and the mix is both practical and generally easy to use.

You also get a smattering of steering-wheel-mounted buttons for tackling common tasks, as well as setting everyday preferences.

Space for wirelessly charging two phones is also a welcome addition, while USB charging ports should keep cabled-minded occupants in the car suitably charged during a longer run.

One of the criticisms of the latest incarnation of the Toyota C-HR is the quite high asking price, with lower-level model variants kicking off at £31,290 for the 1.8 hybrid Icon model at the time of writing.

If you prefer the bigger 2.0-litre hybrid, this only comes as a top-specification model. 

The Design car that comes fitted with the same 1.8 hybrid engine is priced at £34,685, while the Excel edition featuring the same powertrain costs £38,150.

Head on up to the 2.0-litre hybrid Toyota C-HR Sport and you’re looking at a price tag of £40,645.

Meanwhile, the range-topping 2.0-litre hybrid Premier Edition is priced at £42,720. Pricing for the Toyota C-HR plug-in hybrid is due to be announced early in 2024.

Buyers on a budget should head in the direction of the 1.8-litre. Conversely, company car drivers will feel the financial benefit of committing to the PHEV model when it emerges thanks to a lower benefit-in-kind rate. 

Nevertheless, the frugalness of the full-hybrid powertrain should mean lower running costs on a day-to-day basis.

With up to 60.1mpg from the 1.8-litre, there’s no doubt about the appeal on that front. And, over time, savings can certainly be made. 

While Toyota has done a decent job adding in value and all cars come with a healthy basic specification, the higher grades pack in more toys and therefore costs rise even more.

What’s more, because the latest Toyota C-HR is a new model to the market, its VED or road tax has yet to be confirmed.

But emissions of 105g/km from the 1.8-litre and 110g/km from the 2.0-litre engines mean costs should be kept respectably low on that front too.

The Toyota C-HR looks great in any grade, thanks to its fabulous shape, while the bi-tone premium models take the head-turning appeal to another level. 

There are Icon, Design, Excel and GR Sport versions to choose from, along with a limited Premiere Edition.

Toyota C-HR Icon models come with 17-inch alloy wheels, flush door handles, powered folding door mirrors and a signature Toyota C-HR rear light bar.

Meanwhile, the cockpit boasts cloth upholstery, a seven-inch digital instrument display supplemented by Toyota’s Smart Connect multimedia system, plus that eight-inch touchscreen.

Icon cars get smart entry, along with an auto-dimming rear-view mirror, automatic wipers and cloud-based navigation. 

Adding value is wireless smartphone integration with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto plus a front USB-C device charging port.

Driver safety and assistance comes in the shape of Toyota’s third-gen Safety Sense, which includes Pre-Crash System, Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Trace Assist, Road Sign Assist and Automatic High Beam.

A Blind-Spot monitor has been added to prevent the accidental opening of doors into the path of cyclists.

The Toyota C-HR Design grade features 18-inch alloy wheels, rear privacy glass, a power tailgate plus parking sensors with an automatic brake function. Inside, there are heated front seats and individual climate control.

You also get the benefit of the larger 12.3-inch driver’s display alongside a 12.3-inch infotainment screen. This features the Toyota Smart Connect+ system that includes navigation, and there’s also wireless charging, plus front and rear USB-C charge points.

Extra luxury comes via a Skyview fixed panoramic roof with thermal glass, along with a bi-tone paint finish, although these are options. 

The even pricier Toyota C-HR Excel boasts 19-inch machined alloy wheels, bi-tone paintwork and sportier front seats finished in a plush suede effect covering.

There’s ambient lighting with 64 different colour settings too. A panoramic glass roof and a 360-degree camera take the quality up a notch, while there’s also Toyota’s Safety Sense package featuring Lane Change Assist, Front Cross Traffic Alert and adaptive main beam headlights.

Optional extras include a JBL audio system and Tech Pack comprised of a digital key, head-up display and digital rear-view mirror. 

Toyota’s C-HR GR Sport rounds out the line-up, with Toyota Gazoo Racing-themed touches.

Wheels are upgraded to 20-inch GR Sport alloys, there’s a head-up display and JBL audio. Add a Premium Pack option and you get a panoramic glass roof, Panoramic View Monitor and Front Cross Traffic Alert.

Last but not least is the limited Toyota’s C-HR Premiere Edition, which has everything the Excel grade offers, along with leather seats and a very fetching bi-tone exterior.