In second generation form, Toyota's C-HR remains one of the trendiest compact Crossover model choices you can make. Jonathan Crouch drives it.

Ten Second Review

This second generation C-HR takes the successful formula established by its predecessor and improves it in most key areas. Which means this small coupe crossover is a little better to drive, slightly more practical and, arguably, smarter to look at too. There's even now 4WD and Plug-in Hybrid tech if you want it.

Background

Toyota's been producing so-called 'European' cars for decades, but the C-HR, originally launched back in 2017, was the first one that really felt properly targeted at the preferences of our continent. This small coupe-crossover was built in Europe (just about - in Turkey), developed in its capital (Brussels) and sold like hot cakes, quickly becoming the brand's fourth best selling model, with 59% of customers poached from other manufacturers. So hopes were high for this, the second generation C-HR, introduced by Toyota in the Autumn of 2023. Since the old car sold mainly on its appearance, this one's evolved styling needed to look sharp, keeping it at the fashionable end of the segment for small crossovers (a Volkswagen T-Roc or Taigo rival, rather than a T-Cross competitor, if that helps to pigeonhole it for you). Yet this time round, the designers have tried to balance those looks with more practical rear seat and boot space. Plus the Hybrid engine range has been broadened with the addition of a PHEV variant to give this model line longevity in markets about to make the switch to full EVs. And the front-of-cabin experience is now better connected and more premium. Sounds promising. Let's take a closer look.

Driving Experience

The C-HR has always set its stall out to be 'sporty' and this second generation version is no different. This time round, the car needs less mental adjustment if you're coming to it from a model without a fully-electrified powertrain. Though you might not expect that because at first glance, the core engines on offer here - 1.8 and 2.0-litre full-Hybrids - seem much the same as they were in later versions of the previous version. Actually though, much is different. As before, you're never quite certain where the source of motion power is coming from - generator, battery or engine. And, also as before, heavy throttle applications see the left hand power meter dial reading lurching violently back and forth like a windmill. But this time round, a better optimised level of throttle calibration means that there's far less lag between requesting extra acceleration and it being actually delivered. Nor is the 'elastic band' 'moo-ing' of the e-CVT auto gearbox quite as prominent. On undulating roads, new Adaptive Hill Control Logic modifies acceleration according to the incline. And for quieter running, engine speeds during highway driving have been reduced by up to 500rpm, improving refinement. The Hybrid engines have more power too - with the 1.8-litre VVT-i unit almost everyone will still choose up from 122 to 138bhp, taking nearly a second off the 0-62mph sprint time (now 10.2s) and, more importantly, boosting mid-range pulling power by a significant 43Nm (now 185Nm), enough to make overtaking that swaying artic in front slightly less of a white-knuckle affair than it was before. As with the old car, there's also a larger-capacity 2.0-litre version of this Hybrid powertrain available - which also gets more power, up from 182 to 195bhp. We tried that and it propels this Toyota along with more of the kind of urgency its rakish looks suggest it ought to have, with 206Nm of torque and 62mph dispatched in a far more satisfying 8.1s. That larger engine also provides the basis for a newly-introduced PHEV twin-motor drivetrain with a useful 223bhp total output, which dispatches the 62mph sprint in 7.3s. That's despite the extra weight of a 13.8kWh battery that when fully-charged is supposed to be able to take you up to 41 miles between spells of replenishment. But that's a weightier model that won't have the appealing agility of the more ordinary conventional Hybrid variants, which benefit from the installation of the brand's stiff new TNGA-C chassis. Ride quality's on the firm side, but in compensation, the car feels well planted through the turns.

Design and Build

If you liked the edgily-styled original version of this model, it's likely that you'll also appreciate the visual efforts Toyota's made with its replacement. As before, dramatic lines, sharp bodywork creases and sculpted headlights catch the eye. Plus the nose gets Toyota's latest 'hammerhead face', there are flush-fitting pop-out door handles and pricier trim levels get two-tone paintwork. A new pre-coloured resin finish for the bumpers also gives a two-tone vibe. Contrary to expectations, this MK2 model is a little smaller than its predecessor, a little shorter and sitting 15mm lower. It's 35mm wider though and has bigger wheels - up to 20-inches in size. The cabin needed an uplift in quality - and it's been given it, courtesy of various recycled plastic fabrics, contrasting soft-touch surfaces and a pair of so-called 'sail panels' that stretch from the fascia top into the doors. Avoid base trim and you get twin 12.3-inch screens for instruments and infotainment. You sit quite high, but it's not enough to alleviate the rather compromised rearward visibility, though this is a little better than it was previously. You access the rear through conventionally-sited door handles (previously, they were embedded into the C-pillar). And once inside, it's still tight because the 2,640mm wheelbase length isn't any different from before. Legroom is fractionally better though and extra space for heads has been freed up by the fact that the optional panoramic glass roof no longer needs a shade. But rear seat visibility is still limited and the sloping roof line restricts ceiling space. The boot's still restricted too, though at least it's not noticeably smaller than before: it's rated at either 388 or 364-litres, depending on your choice between 1.8 or 2.0-litre Hybrid drivetrains. Either way, the rear seat back still splits 60:40.

Market and Model

Prices for this second generation model start from just over £31,000, which gets you the 1.8-litre Hybrid engine with base 'Icon' trim; the same package also comes with mid-range 'Design' spec or top 'Excel' trim. The 2.0-litre Hybrid is priced from just over £40,000 and comes in 'GR Sport' or 'Premier Edition' guises. Expect to pay in the £39,000-£44,000 bracket for the PHEV version. All variants are pretty well equipped. Even base 'Icon' trim gets you 17-inch alloy wheels, a powered tailgate, an auto-dimming rear view mirror, cloud-based navigation, a wireless smartphone charging mat and 'Apple CarPlay' and 'Android Auto' smartphone-mirroring. Plus there's a very complete 'Toyota Safety Sense' camera safety package. Mid-range 'Design' trim builds on this with 18-inch alloy wheels, rear privacy glass and a parking sensor system with automatic brake function. There are heated seats and you get a 12.3-inch instrument display, along with a 12.3-inch 'Toyota Smart Connect+' central infotainment screen. The top 'Excel' model has 19-inch alloys, bi-tone exterior paintwork, front sports seats with suede-effect upholstery, ambient interior lighting, a panoramic roof and a 360-degree panoramic view monitor. On the 2.0-litre model, the 'GR Sport' grade has 20-inch machined alloy wheels, a head-up display and a JBL premium audio system.

Cost of Ownership

Self-charging full-Hybrid engines are still quite rare in the segment for small crossovers: only Nissan's Juke, Renault's Captur, Kia's Niro and Hyundai's Kona can offer petrol/electric technology of that sort in this class and those models look pretty frumpy in comparison to this one. As for efficiency, well a 1.8-litre Hybrid-powered C-HR can return up to 60.1mpg on the combined cycle and 105g/km of CO2. For the 2.0-litre Hybrid, think 57.6mpg and 110g/km of CO2. For the PHEV variant, you're looking at up to 294mpg on the combined cycle and up to 19g/km, with an EV range of up to 41 miles; in the real world, it'd be more like 35 miles. You can select an EV mode or use a Hybrid setting that will work with the sat nav and uses Geofencing technology that will prioritise electric power in low-emission zones. The navigation system can also suggest a route that will take into account your state of charge and identify possible charging spots. In a C-HR PHEV, you can also adjust the strength of the regenerative braking. The 13.8kWh battery can use a 7kW charger for a home top-up that will take two and a half hours. Whatever C-HR you decide upon, as usual with Toyotas these days, if you keep the car serviced at a franchised dealer, the warranty can be extended up to a maximum of 10 years.

Summary

As before, almost everyone who chooses a C-HR will do so on the basis of the way it looks. But second time round, this car's appeal is more than skin deep. Toyota still thinks its target market is 30-something fashionistas, but the old car demonstrated a much broader customer base than that amongst more regular folk who will no longer have to make quite so many of the practical compromises demanded by the original model. We can't imagine that too many of these people will want the cost (and extra weight) of the added PHEV flagship model; as it always did, the C-HR makes most sense in a nice level of spec fitted with the base 1.8-litre self-charging Hybrid engine and sold with a sensible price tag. In that form, we can see why you might want one. And if you do, you might be agreeably impressed by the cabin improvements Toyota has made here. If cars were bought on purely rational grounds, you still wouldn't choose one of these, but thankfully, they're not. The C-HR celebrates that. Which is exactly why it's been so successful and will continue to be.

Body Glass

Rain sensor

Privacy glass

Front and rear power windows

Variable front intermittent wipers

Auto wipers

Rear window wiper

Auto up and down function on all power windows

Anti-jam protection on power windows

Rear window defogger

UV-filter on driver and passenger windows

UV-filter on rear windows

Noise reduction layer on front windows

Noise reduction layer on windscreen

Brakes

Anti-lock Brake System + Electronic Brakeforce Distribution + Brake assist

Electronic parking brake

Hill start assist control (HAC)

Front to front oncoming car and motorbike daytime detection

Toyota safety sense with over the air updates

Pre collision system with pedestrian, cyclist and motorbike day detection

Carpets/Rugs

Floor mats - border/stitching

Mat Fitment

Chassis/Suspension

Vehicle Stability Control (VSC)

Front and rear stabilizers

Communication

Voice recognition

Bluetooth connectivity

eCall emergency call system

Toyota Smart Connect multimedia system with wireless Smartphone integration incl Apple CarPlay

Driver Aids

Electric power steering

Reversing camera

Emergency steering assist

Rear cross traffic alert

Adjustable speed limiter

HUD - Head up Display

Road sign assist - RSA

Lane trace assist

Lane departure alert with steering control

Intelligent adaptive cruise control

Lane Departure Alert (LDA) switch on steering wheel

Memory on speed limiter

Start and stop

Acceleration suppression at low speed

Safe exit assist

Emergency driving stop system

Proactive driving assist (PDA)

MyT connected services

4 rear parking sensors

Front parking sensors with auto braking

Static guide lines on reversing camera

Pre collision system with intersection detection

Intelligent parking sensors (objects and vehicle)

Driver Convenience

Push button tailgate release

Power tailgate

Remote boot door release in cabin

Wireless phone charger

Smart entry and push button start

Smart voice assist

Driver Information

Digital speedometer

Blind spot monitor

Hybrid system indicator

Reversing camera display in audio screen

Colour multi information display

12.3" multimedia display screen

12.3" Digital Combimeter

Digital tachometer

Instrument finish panel

I/P center cluster X

Built-in and cloud navigation

Driving Mirrors

Electric heated door mirrors

Power adjustable door mirrors

Automatically retractable door mirrors

Digital rear view mirror

Turning signal integrated in door mirrors (LED)

Engine

Electric accelerator pedal

Entertainment

9 loudspeakers

JBL Premium Sound System

DAB Radio (Digital Audio Broadcasting)

Aux-in connector

USB connector integrated with radio and CD player

Front USB Type-C connector

Rear USB Type-C connector

Road events

Exterior Body Features

Body colour door handles

Body coloured front bumper

Black wheel arch mouldings

Emergency brake-light signal (EBS)

Rear tailgate

Black bi-tone roof

Rear side wing doors

Fuel caution label

B - Pillar in Black

Toyota Skyview Panoramic roof with thermal comfort

Silver large centre cap surrounds

Dark grey surround on lower front grille

Gloss black lower front grille

G-mesh front side grille

Piano Black Front Side Grille

Rear bumper with dark grey insert

Flush front and rear door handles

Black painted insert on boot door

Wing liner front and rear with sil

Satin chrome insert on side air vents

Black side air vents

Satin chrome side air vent surrounds

Satin chrome centre air vent surrounds

Satin chrome insert on centre air vents

Black centre air vent

Premium Bi-tone Black Rear Execution

exhaust tail pipe and diffuser

Astral black roof and rear quarter

Gloss black door belt moulding

GR sport front aluminium scuff plates

Piano black rear spoiler

Bi-tone+ with black rear bumper extension

Exterior Lights

Automatic headlights

Rear fog lamps

Manual headlight levelling

Follow me home headlights

Puddle lights

LED daytime running lights

LED Headlights

LED fog lights

Auto high beam

LED rear combination lights

LED front light guide

LED rear brake lights

Automatic headlights cut-off

LED High mounted stop light

LED reverse light

Clear headlights design

RHD aiming

Automatic rear flashing hazard lights

Adaptive high beam system (AHS)

Headlight cut off reminder

Cornering lights

Heating/Cooling/Ventilation

Clean air filter

Dual zone automatic air conditioning

Nanoe-X air purifier

Remote air conditioning

Pollen air filter with deodorising odour eliminator

Interior Features

Front door pockets

Front console box

Rear door pockets

Front cupholders

Red stitching on steering wheel

Dark grey interior door handles

Hard tonneau cover

12v power outlet - front

Hybrid key cover

Glovebox with internal light

Voice recognition switch on steering wheel

Humidifying Nanoe air purifier

Multimedia switches on steering wheel

Manual telescopic steering wheel

Assist grips front and centre pillar

Manual tilt steering wheel

Slow opening on lower glovebox

Hooks for luggage holding net

Audio and telephone switches on steering wheel

GR logo on steering wheel

Suede front door trim

Door Edge Protection Film

Cover front console box

Luggage floor board with protection mat

2 rear coat hooks

Single compartment glovebox

Suede rear door armrest

Suede/synthetic leather upholstery with red stitching

3 spoke premium synthetic leather steering wheel

Rear door cup holder

Synthetic leather gear shift knob

Red stitching on front door armrests

Interior Lights

Boot light

Driver and front passenger personal light

Rear passenger personal lights

Microphone on front personal light

Front room light

LED Overhead Console light

Customisable multi-ambient lighting on front doors

Customisable multi-ambient illuminated entry system

Safety

Rear door child safety locks

Front and rear seatbelt reminder

Front passenger airbag on/off switch

Tyre pressure warning system

3x3 point rear seat belts

Driver knee airbag

Pre-tensioners and force limiters

Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) 8 airbags: Driver & passenger's airbags, dual side curtain airbags, side impact airbags, front centre airbag

Driver and passenger side airbag

Rear seat reminder alert

Seats

Front headrests

3 rear headrests

Heated driver and front passenger seats

Driver and front passenger Whiplash Injury Lessening seats

Power height adjustable driver seat

Power reclining driver seat

Power sliding driver seat

Power adjustable lumbar support on driver seat

Front passenger seatback pockets

Manually height adjustable front passenger seat

Manually sliding front passenger seat

Adjustable rear headrests

Power tilting cushion on driver seat

Manually reclining front passenger seat

ISOFIX child restraint system

Single front passenger seat

3 bench rear seats in 2nd row

Memory function on driver seat

60/40 split folding 2nd row rear seats

Front premium sports seats

Security

Immobiliser

Power door locks

Lockable boot lid

Intrusion sensor

Glass-breaking alarm sensors

Motion sensor alarm

Intrusion alarm

Remote door lock

Smartphone remote door lock

Wheel Nuts

Door Lock

Smartphone remote hazard lights system

Towing

Pre wiring for towing hook

Vanity Mirrors

Light on driver sun visor

Light on passenger sun visor

Mirror on driver sun visor

Mirror on passenger sun visor

Wheels

Silver wheel centre caps

Wheels - Alloy

20" 5 double spoke black machined face alloy wheels

Wheels - Spare

Tyre repair kit

Electric Vehicle Data

Battery Type: Lithium-ion

Battery Capacity in kWh: 0.91

Emissions - ICE

Noise Level dB(A): 67

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Medium: 83

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - High: 98

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Extra High: 144

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Comb: 111

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Comb - TEH: 111

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Comb - TEL: 101

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Low: 91

Particles: 0.0001

HC+NOx: N

NOx: 0.003

HC: 0.016

Standard Euro Emissions: EURO 6

CO: 0.176

Engine and Drive Train

Cylinders: 4

Cylinder Layout: IN-LINE

Number of Valves: 16

Camshaft: DOHC

Fuel Delivery: MULTI POINT FUEL INJECTION

Catalytic Convertor: No

Engine Layout: FRONT TRANSVERSE

Compression Ratio: 14.0:1

Transmission: AUTO

Gears: 1 SPEED

Engine Code: M20A-FXS

Cylinders - Bore (mm): 80.5

Cylinders - Stroke (mm): 97.6

CC: 1987

Fuel Consumption - ICE

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Comb: 4.9

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Extra High: 6.4

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - High: 4.3

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Medium: 3.7

WLTP - MPG - Low: 70.6

EC Directive 1999/100/EC Applies: 0

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Low: 4

WLTP - MPG - Comb: 57.7

WLTP - MPG - Extra High: 44.1

WLTP - MPG - High: 65.7

WLTP - MPG - Medium: 76.4

General

Insurance Group 1 - 50 Effective January 07: 27E

Badge Engine CC: 2.0

Did at least one aspect of this vehicle's safety give cause for concern?: 0

Based On ID: N

Special Order: 0

Service Interval Frequency - Months: 12

Special Edition: 0

Service Interval Mileage: 10000

NCAP Adult Occupant Protection %: 85

NCAP Child Occupant Protection %: 86

NCAP Pedestrian Protection %: 86

NCAP Safety Assist %: 79

NCAP Overall Rating - Effective February 09: 5

Badge Power: 197

Vehicle Homologation Class: M1

Standard manufacturers warranty - Mileage: 60000

Standard manufacturers warranty - Years: 3

Coin Description: Hybrid

Coin Series: GR Sport [Premium]

Generation Mark: 2

Alternative Fuel Qualifying: No

Performance

Engine Torque - MKG: 21

Engine Power - RPM: 6000

0 to 60 mph (secs): 0

Engine Power - PS: No

Engine Power - BHP: 197

Top Speed: 112

0 to 62 mph (secs): 8.1

Engine Power - KW: 145

Engine Torque - LBS.FT: 152

Engine Torque - NM: 206

Engine Torque - RPM: 4400

Test Cycles

RDE Certification Level: RDE 2

Emissions Test Cycle: WLTP

Tyres

Tyre Size Rear: 245/40 R20

Tyre Size Spare: TYRE REPAIR KIT

Wheel Type: 20" ALLOY

Wheel Style: 5-DOUBLE SPOKE

Space Saver?: 0

Tyre Size Front: 245/40 R20

Alloys?: No

Vehicle Dimensions

Length: 4362

Wheelbase: 2640

Width: 1832

Height: 1564

Height (including roof rails): N

Weight and Capacities

Fuel Tank Capacity (Litres): 43

Max. Towing Weight - Braked: 725

Max. Towing Weight - Unbraked: 725

Max. Loading Weight: 480

Gross Vehicle Weight: 1955

Luggage Capacity (Seats Up): 430

No. of Seats: 5

Turning Circle - Kerb to Kerb: 11

Minimum Kerbweight: 1475

Exterior Body Features

Silver side steps with anti slip

Bi-tone premium paint

Packs

Protection plus pack - C-HR GR Sport

Red style pack - CH-R GR Sport

Paint - Special

Bi-tone metallic - Ash grey/Black

Bi-tone metallic - Decuma grey/Black

Bi-tone premium - Precious silver/Black

Bi-tone premium - Platinum white pearl/black

Bi-tone premium - Scarlet flare/black

Towing

Towing solutions - Detachable - 13 pin

Trim - Part Leather

Suede/synthetic leather - Black with red stitching