There are few extra hanging SUVs on the street than the Toyota C-HR.

Breaking Toyota’s modus operandi of manufacturing secure, palatable automobiles for the mass market, the unique C-HR turned the common-or-garden Corolla right into a futuristic, thrilling crossover with quick payoff.

Toyota offered 53,271 first-generation automobiles in Australia, and the second coming is fabricated from the identical stuff. With two-tone paint, sharp edges, and a low sloping roofline, the brand new automobile seems genuinely sporty.

So, it’s solely becoming the flagship GR Sport grade goes a step additional, including inside bits straight out of the Toyota’s efficiency catalogue. A recipe for fulfillment, proper?

Possibly not. The GR Sport instructions a $12,000 premium over the bottom C-HR, and also you gained’t discover a motorsport impressed powertrain beneath the bonnet.

The place does that go away the brand new C-HR GR Sport? Is it new-school cool, or has it strayed too removed from the unique formulation?

How does the Toyota C-HR evaluate?

View an in depth breakdown of the Toyota C-HR in opposition to equally sized automobiles.

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C-HR

How a lot does the Toyota C-HR price?

The second-generation C-HR is a dearer proposition than the primary, and also you gained’t get any change from $60,000 for the flagship GR Sport on check right here as soon as on-road prices are thought of.

To see how the C-HR traces up in opposition to its rivals, try our comparability software.

What’s the Toyota C-HR like on the within?

You pay a fairly penny to improve from a base C-HR to the top-spec GR Sport, and that spend is on full show contained in the flagship’s cabin.

Regardless of which method you look, supplies have been upgraded to offer the sporty range-topper a premium really feel, and I might argue that ploy has labored.

Gone are material seats and drab colors, changed by a GR-themed inside filled with suede, leather-based, and pink accents. All three characteristic on the sculpted entrance seats, which include the GR emblem embossed within the headrest.

Totally different from different variants in each design and form, the chairs present loads of grip and hug you tight, falling on the agency facet on the subject of cushioning.

Each entrance seats have three-stage heating and the motive force’s pew presents electrical adjustment. The inclusion of a heated steering wheel is a welcome luxurious match for chilly winter mornings.

You may simply set a low slung driving place for ‘spirited’ driving, or go for a extra elevated setup.

Surfaces round the remainder of the cabin really feel equally upscale. Entrance door playing cards get the suede remedy, whereas the gear selector and steering wheel are trimmed in supple leather-based.

Gentle plastics cowl the sprint and centre armrest, and the tougher plastics utilized in financial system automobiles are in brief provide.

The C-HR additionally presents a aggressive array of inside tech. A 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system is shared throughout the vary, and it ticks a whole lot of packing containers.

Angled in direction of the motive force, the display is straightforward to see and simply as easy to make use of.

I took benefit of wi-fi Apple CarPlay, though Android customers might want to use a cable. A USB-C outlet is situated beneath the local weather management panel for this function.

The infotainment system hooked as much as my telephone each time with out fault, offering a crisp mirrored show that responded shortly to the touch inputs.

The native menus and navigation system lack element, however that’s straightforward to forgive contemplating the simplicity and wonderful ergonomics on supply.

Easy but efficient is an outline that applies to the 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster. It’s mildly customisable and simple to learn, with all the traditional readouts in addition to a visualisation of the petrol/electrical drive cut up.

A little bit cartoonish, certain, however operate over kind is okay right here contemplating the remainder of the GR Sport has been hit with the design stick. Rounding out the suite of inside tech is a color head-up show, fitted as customary to the Koba and GR Sport.

As with the infotainment display, the bodily local weather management toggles are properly inside attain and pleasingly tactile in comparison with the haptic buttons and display controls in different trendy automobiles.

Along with intelligent ergonomics, the C-HR includes a vary of considerate storage options for entrance row occupants.

The centre console, door bins, and glovebox are all giant for the section, and there’s an additional storage tray above the glovebox match for telephones, wallets, and the like.

A central wi-fi charging tray presents related comfort for the motive force.

Whereas it’s all plush and spacious up entrance, the identical can’t be mentioned for the second row.

In my regular driving place the seat behind would solely comfortably accomodate a toddler or small grownup. ISOFIX and top-tether factors strengthen the C-HR’s case as a small household automobile.

The seat backs are smooth, which is light on urgent knees, however that doesn’t masks the dearth of legroom.

Headroom is equally compromised. Anybody measuring over six toes tall will discover their head touching the ceiling, due partially to the attractive sloping roofline of the C-HR.

The GR Sport has a glass roof which lets some mild into the cabin, however darkish headlining and small home windows make the again really feel further tight regardless.

Cupboard space is at a premium too. Second row passengers have entry to a single map pocket, however no door bins or centre armrest. Cupholders are housed inside every door.

Rear passengers are additionally pressured to struggle over one USB-C outlet, which is certain to trigger an argument or two, and the absence of rear air vents is a letdown.

It’s not such as you get further cargo room in return for the cramped second row, both.

The C-HR GR Sport has a claimed 362L of boot house, lower than rivals from Mazda, Hyundai, Alfa Romeo, Volkswagen, and Cupra.

The aperture has a excessive load lip and isn’t notably giant, which amps up the issue of loading gadgets, regardless of the GR-S sporting a powered tailgate.

Extra space could be accessed by folding the second row seats (60/40 cut up), boosting complete boot storage to 1134L, though there’s a difficult step between the boot ground and folded seat backs.

To see how the C-HR traces up in opposition to its rivals, try our comparability software.

What’s beneath the bonnet?

Two hybrid powertrains are supplied within the new C-HR, and this GR Sport combines a bigger 2.0-litre petrol engine with a pair of electrical drive motors.

A plug-in hybrid model is offered in Europe, upping mixed outputs to 164kW with a claimed electrical vary of 64km. Nevertheless, at this level we’re unlikely to see it as an choice Down Below at the least within the short-term.

To see how the C-HR traces up in opposition to its rivals, try our comparability software.

How does the Toyota C-HR drive?

Toyota is much from the primary model to supply mildly enhanced variations of normal fashions with efficiency division branding (assume Audi S line and BMW M Sport), however I’m undecided that the GR Sport moniker fairly suits this C-HR.

It’s a enjoyable metropolis steer for certain, with direct and correct steering, a responsive brake pedal, and small automobile dealing with dynamics.

In city settings the GR Sport darts round with a way of urgency – it modifications course on a dime and isn’t lengthy or large sufficient to really feel outsized in tight laneways.

Sporty cabin upgrades improve the expertise. As beforehand talked about, the leather-based and suede seats sit simply low sufficient and hug you tight, whereas the chunky leather-based steering wheel is a pleasure to show.

The C-HR can be straightforward to park at busy buying centres, with manageable dimensions and a encompass view digital camera with the flexibility to show a digital stroll round of the automobile that’s helpful for recognizing hidden hazards.

With that mentioned, throughout testing there was one event the place the rear-cross visitors alert system falsely triggered as I tried to park in my storage.

Except for the inside upgrades, all of the above factors additionally apply to the cheaper GXL and Koba C-HR variants. And homeowners are unlikely to restrict this bubbly little crossover to metropolis crossings and suburban errands.

That brings me to the powertrain. Every thing from the loud exterior styling to the GR-branded seats and elevated price ticket means that the top-spec C-HR will probably be a very sporty drive. It’s not, because of what’s beneath the bonnet.

The C-HR GR Sport is powered by a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine producing 112kW of energy and 188Nm of torque, working in tandem with a pair of electrical motors on the entrance and rear axles. Complete system output is 145kW, despatched to all 4 wheels by a constantly variable transmission (CVT).

That’s 42kW greater than you get in 1.8-litre examples; a big improve. Paired with electrified AWD, the GR Sport is faster off the road with a claimed 0-100km/h dash time of 8.0 seconds.

Nevertheless, the gearbox stays unchanged. CVT transmissions are identified for a lot of issues, however driving engagement isn’t one in all them. The C-HR lazily shifts by synthetic ‘gears’ with out the choice of driver enter, as you gained’t discover shift paddles or a guide mode.

Behind the wheel it simply seems like an uninspiring, constant wave of enough shove, with out the short shifts of a Volkswagen DSG dual-clutch auto.

When driving with a heavy proper foot noise ranges additionally enhance within the C-HR, so it’s finest to benefit from the crisp dealing with with out pushing the powertrain.

It’s a greater package deal traversing peak-hour visitors at decrease speeds, or cruising silently in EV mode. Gas financial system additionally advantages in these conditions – we noticed a median of 5.4L/100km all through this check, a powerful return for the section.

The C-HR performs properly as a freeway cruiser with loads of helpful driver assists.

Toyota’s semi-autonomous freeway assistant is straightforward to activate, successfully centres the automobile in a lane, and adjusts to the stream of visitors with out the necessity for driver interference. When a visitors jam materialises, auto-hold is available to take a load off your proper foot.

All variants of the C-HR additionally come customary with blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert, each essential options in a coupe SUV like this with restricted rear visibility.

The suite of well-calibrated help programs contributes to what’s a soothing drive on open roads, particularly given how settled the trip is. You are feeling ruts within the street greater than you’ll in a bigger SUV, however the C-HR isn’t crashes over bumps and potholes.

Pulling off the freeway onto twisty nation roads, the C-HR once more excels from a dealing with perspective – it’s desperate to carve up corners and shows minimal physique roll.

Once more although, the hybrid system doesn’t encourage you to push the automobile arduous. Lesser variants supply the identical set of strengths for much less cash.

Whether or not you’re journeying cross-country or taking up a twisty backroad the GR Sport stays refined, serving up acceptable ranges of street noise with out ever getting raucous.

What do you get?

Three trim ranges have been carried over from the earlier era C-HR – GXL, Koba, and GR Sport. The GR Sport now serves because the flagship, slightly than sharing that title with the Koba as was the case with the earlier era.

C-HR GXL highlights:

• 17-inch alloy wheels
• LED headlights, guide levelling
• LED daytime working lights
• LED tail lights
• Rain-sensing wipers
• 7.0-inch digital instrument cluster
• 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system
  • DAB+ digital radio
  • Satellite tv for pc navigation
  • Wi-fi Apple CarPlay
  • Wired Android Auto
• Toyota Linked Companies (1yr subscription)
• 6-speaker sound system
• Twin-zone local weather management
• Keyless entry, push-button begin
• Material upholstery
• ‘Sporty material’ entrance seats

C-HR Koba provides:

• 19-inch alloy wheels
• Bi-LED headlights, auto levelling
• Adaptive high-beam
• Energy tailgate
• 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster
• Head-up show
• Digital rear-view mirror
• 9-speaker sound system
• Wi-fi smartphone charger
• Premium sport suede, material seats
• Heated entrance seats
• Powered driver’s seat adjustment

C-HR GR Sport provides:

• Distinctive 19-inch alloy wheels
• Distinctive exterior options
• Upgraded brakes
• Aluminium scuff plates
• Heated GR-branded steering wheel
• GR-branded ground mats
• GR Sport suede, material seats

Is the Toyota C-HR secure?

The C-HR has a five-star security ranking from ANCAP, based mostly on testing performed earlier this yr.

Commonplace security tools contains:

• 10 airbags
• Adaptive cruise management
• Automated excessive beam
• Autonomous emergency braking (AEB)
  • Pedestrian detection (day, evening)
  • Bike owner detection (day)
  • Junction help
• Blind-spot monitoring
• Driver monitoring digital camera
• Emergency steering help
• Clever park help
• Lane change help
• Lane departure warning
• Lane hold help
• Parking sensors entrance, rear
• Rear cross-traffic alert
• Rear seat occupant reminder
• Highway Signal Help
• Secure Exit Help
• Encompass-view digital camera
• Toyota Linked Companies

How a lot does the Toyota C-HR price to run?

The C-HR is roofed by Toyota’s five-year, unlimited-kilometre new automobile guarantee.

Toyota presents a further two years of engine and driveline guarantee in case your automobile is “correctly serviced and maintained as per the Guarantee and Service ebook”, and can assure the hybrid battery for as much as 10 years beneath the identical upkeep circumstances.

Only one yr of Toyota Linked Companies is included with buy, with month-to-month paid subscriptions required after that preliminary 12-month interval for varied net-based options.

CarExpert’s Tackle the Toyota C-HR

The C-HR GR Sport is a trendy and comfy crossover SUV, but it surely falls brief in a few key areas.

Reasonably than including the sporty spice that you just’d anticipate from the Gazoo Racing badge, the GR Sport largely advantages from aesthetic and inside upgrades that enhance the atmosphere, and never a lot else.

Certain, the powertrain has been upgraded to offer the flagship a wholesome 145kW, but it surely doesn’t pair properly with the not-so-sporty CVT transmission.

These complaints fade at low speeds – the C-HR feels most enjoyable when zipping across the metropolis.

The inside of this peculiar automobile is equally complicated. As a each day runabout for a bachelor/bachelorette or couple, the C-HR excels. In GR Sport specification it’s plush, decked out with trendy tech and ergonomically sound.

Nevertheless, the cramped, spartan second row and small boot guidelines it out as a household automobile. Then there’s the worth. At practically $55,000 plus on-road prices, the GR Sport is swimming with huge fish in a crowded pond.

The Lexus LBX Sports activities Luxurious presents Toyota underpinnings, the same ethos and further avenue cred for a similar outlay, whereas the Cupra Formentor V is larger and has some chunk to match the bark.

A Nissan Qashqai e-Energy is cheaper and aggressive on effectivity. After a trendy all-rounder? Strive the Mazda CX-30 or Volkswagen T-Roc. You’re even in Tesla Mannequin Y territory – and the record goes on.

The Toyota C-HR GR Sport is a completely pleasing automobile to drive, however its skills are restricted and decrease mannequin grades supply higher worth. Pocket $5000 and get behind the wheel of a Koba, or slender your shopping for standards and store round.

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