A few months ago, I was considering buying a new car. There were three cars that I was considering and the C-HR was one of them. It came in a close second because my first choice delivered better on certain practical elements. Or so I thought. The C-HR was an incredibly enjoyable car to drive that had so much more than just practicality. It seemed to see into the brain of its target market and delivered on every whim.
The manufacturer says they have freshened up the compact cross-over in terms of design, safety and specification. The iconic visual identity and the coupe-like lines remain, not only making the C-HR stand out but a car that has stood the test of time.
The drive
The C-HR, has one of my favourite aspects not often found in non-sports cars. No matter whether you are driving at the maximum speed limit or in an 80km/h zone, it always feels like there is so much more to give. This ability can be extended to all road conditions as well, whether driving on a straight road, on an incline or overtaking.
This power is brought by a 1.2 litre turbocharged petrol engine with a CVT transmission. The maximum power output is placed at 85 kW and torque at 185 Nm. The claimed fuel consumption is set at 6.4L/100km but I was only able to get 8.2L/100 km. This was with very little traffic and stop/start driving so I think that it could be quite difficult to get 6.4.
The design
The design is similar to the original design from two years ago with only minimal nip and tucks, to quote Toyota. Yet, it is still a leader in design in the segment, and in my personal opinion, in the direction general vehicle design is heading.
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While I found the design of the C-HR to be very appealing it does tend to be a car that people either love or hate. One disadvantage was that the design resulted in rear side windows that were quite small. Out of a defensive driving habit, I always double check my blind spot when changing lanes but soon found that became a redundant exercise as all I could see were pillars. Luckily there is tech to help you with that.
There were a number of small perks in the vehicle that showed the car was designed with the ultimate comfort of the driver and passengers in mind. One example is the cupholders in the rear which were very conveniently positioned at the same level that rear passengers would place their arms. They were ‘hands down’ the best cupholders I have ever seen in a vehicle.
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Another example is the space designed to hold your cellphone. Next to the USB point is a narrow, long compartment that you can rest your phone in while you have it connected to the USB. It is invisible to anyone looking in from outside and would fit all cellphone sizes. Not ground-breaking at all, but very intuitive of the designers.
Another thing that I liked included the small steering wheel which gave it a bit of a sporty feel. Toyota also spent time updating the electronic power steering of the C-HR.
The Tech
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Out of the three cars I was considering in this segment, the C-HR definitely had the best tech, however, this is reflected in the price. The rear-view camera did not just show you directly behind you but almost seemed to have an 180 degree view, so when reversing out my driveway I could see not only the cars coming out the shopping centre directly across from my house (and behind me when I reverse out) but also the cars coming down the street on either side for a fair distance.
It also had Apple Car Play and Android Auto and full integration with your device. All Toyota models come equipped with Toyota Connect, including a complimentary 15 GB in car Wi-Fi allocation, vehicle telematics and enhanced user features via the MyToyota app.
Safety
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All grades receive front driver and passenger airbags including side, curtain and driver knee airbags. There are also rear seatbelt force limiters with pre-tensioners.
The flagship Luxury grade model has the Toyota Safety Sense system which is a suite of electronic driver safety aids in the form of:
- Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM)
- Lane Change Assist (LCA)
- Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA)
- Pre-crash system
- Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC)
- Lane Keeping Assist.
The Toyota C-HR is fantastic option in the crossover segment and with Toyota you always know what you are getting. It may possibly have edged its way into first position in my books.
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Good to know
The specs
Engine: 1.2L turbocharged engine
Transmission: CVT or 6-speed manual
Power: 85 kW
Torque: 185 Nm
Fuel consumption: 6.4L/100km
Price: starting from R371 700
Warranties and service plan: 3-year/100 000 km warranty and 6 services/90 000 km service plan with the option to purchase additional warranty add-ons.
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