Is it really necessary to have PHEV power in a Toyota C-HR? Jonathan Crouch drives it.

Ten Second Review

Top versions of the second generation C-HR gain the PHEV powertrain Toyota thought unnecessary in this small coupe-crossover model's original predecessor. You could almost treat the resulting confection like a full-EV for commuting duties, but inevitably, there's a price to pay for the extra sophistication.

Background

Toyota's always seemed very undecided about PHEV technology. Having virtually invented it back in 2012 for a top version of the Prius, it took nearly another decade for the brand to offer it again on another model (the RAV4). Questions to the company as to why smaller Toyotas couldn't be had with Plug-in Hybrid tech were met with the response that the benefits of PHEV were "largely illusory" and that a better solution was to concentrate on conventional Hybrids. But everyone's allowed to change their mind and Toyota clearly has in developing the second generation C-HR crossover we're looking at here, which now has a headlining PHEV model at the top of its line-up. Most sales will continue to be of the self-charging conventional Hybrid versions of this model, but let's take a closer look at whether plugging your C-HR in might be a credible option if you're planning to spend big on this model line.

Driving Experience

Most PHEVs actually aren't very efficient at all, once their EV range is used up. When that happens, they usually revert to a conventional petrol engine made even less efficient by the fact that it has to lug along the extra weight of a Plug-in Hybrid battery pack. The C-HR PHEV has that too, but at least its core petrol engine is a self-charging full-Hybrid, which makes it rather unique amongst models of this genre. The 2.0-litre engine in question (borrowed from the faster of the two standard Hybrid models) is mated to a 161bhp electric motor powered by a 13.6kWh battery that, when fully charged, can offer an EV range of up to 41 miles. Only the front wheels are driven - with up to 220bhp, which allows 62mph to be dispatched in 7.4s en route to 112mph. To cope with the extra power (and weight), Toyota has added new twin-piston brakes and new ZF frequency-sensitive shock absorbers supposed to improve the ride over high-frequency bumps. There are three driving modes and you can alter the strength of regenerative braking right up to a 'B' setting that offers so much retardation off-throttle that you hardly ever need to use the brake pedal. As with the ordinary Hybrid versions of this second generation C-HR, Toyota says it's worked on the handling, introducing a wider track and tweaking multi-link rear suspension elements from the larger RAV4. It all sits on the company's usual TNGA-C platform, borrowed from the Corolla. And Toyota says that it's improved auto gearbox response too, though you shouldn't expect too much there.

Design and Build

Apart from different badgework and an extra charging flap, there are no visual differences to set this PHEV model apart from more ordinary C-HR Hybrids. If you liked the edgily-styled first generation C-HR, 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 gains gives a two-tone vibe. Contrary to expectations, this MK2 model is a little smaller than its predecessor, 35mm shorter and sitting 15mm lower. It's 45mm wider though and has bigger wheels - up to 20-inches in size. The cabin features 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. A 12.3-inch digital dial display features for the instruments and the centre screen is also 12.3 inches in size. You sit quite high, but it's not enough to alleviate the rather compromised rearward visibility. You access the rear through conventionally-sited door handles. And once inside, you'll be tight on legroom, though Toyota claims that extra space for heads has been freed up by the fact that the optional panoramic glass roof doesn't need a shade. Rear seat visibility is limited and the sloping roof line restricts ceiling space. That's 54-litres less than the 2.0-litre HEV variant and 78-litres less than the 1.8-litre HEV. To extend this space, the seat back splits 60:40.

Market and Model

Prices for the second generation C-HR model start from just over £31,000, but you'll be paying in the £39,000-£44,000 bracket for this PHEV version. Things kick off with base 'Design'-spec, but most will want to find the £3,000 or so more Toyota wants for the mid-level 'Excel'-spec version. The 'GR Sport' trim level many will also consider has 20-inch machined alloy wheels, a head-up display and a JBL premium audio system. Along with bi-tone exterior paintwork, front sports seats with suede-effect upholstery, ambient interior lighting, a panoramic roof and a 360-degree panoramic view monitor. That's in addition to the usual very complete rosta of C-HR spec. You can tick off a powered tailgate, cloud-based navigation, a wireless smartphone charging mat, 'Apple CarPlay' and 'Android Auto' smartphone-mirroring and an auto-dimming rear view mirror. Plus there's 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 safety and assistance package includes the latest, third generation Toyota Safety Sense package, with functions including a Pre-Crash System, Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Trace Assist, Road Sign Assist and Automatic High Beam. In addition, there is a Blind Spot Monitor which links to Safe Exit Assist to help prevent doors being opened into the path of vehicles approaching from the rear. 

Cost of Ownership

For this PHEV C-HR variant, you're looking at up to 353.1mpg 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. That claimed range figure puts the car in a very favourable 8% Benefit-in-Kind taxation bracket - which for many customers could be the clincher for purchase. Helping with the range figure is the fact that this second generation design is around 2% more aerodynamically efficient than its predecessor. On the move, 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 13.6kWh battery can use a 6.6kW on-board charger for a home top-up that will take two and a half hours using the optional two-phase cable and a typical garage wallbox. 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

For a few people, this Plug-in Hybrid C-HR will be the ideal small coupe-crossover confection. Hybrid power when you need an engine. And you can treat the car like a full EV when you don't. What's not to like? Well the added weight for one thing. And the significant price premium for PHEV power for another. So you'll either be a sceptic or a convert when it comes to this model. But then the C-HR has always garnered that kind of reaction, so why should this second generation model's more sophisticated high-tech flagship variant be any different? In a world undecided about the future of EVs, it might just be an ideal fashionable small runabout for those who don't mind a premium price tag. And then again, it might not. Everyone will have their own opinion, just as they always have with the C-HR.

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

Pre collision system with emergency steering assist

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

Toyota touch 2 with go navigation

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

Heat pump system with humidifier

Interior Features

Front door pockets

Front console box

Rear door pockets

Front cupholders

Heated steering wheel

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

Multimedia switches on steering wheel

Manual telescopic steering wheel

Boot under floor storage

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

Full-flat loading

220v power output in luggage compartment

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

Vehicle Charging

Fast charger 32A Mennekes cable

Wheels

Silver wheel centre caps

Wheels - Alloy

20" 5 double spoke black machined face alloy wheels

Wheels - Spare

Tyre repair kit

Electric Vehicle Data

Maximum Charging Rate - kW: 7

WLTP - Equivalent AER (km) - Comb: 66

WLTP - Equivalent AER (miles) - Comb: 41

WLTP - EC AC Weighted (miles/kWh) - Comb: 4.1

WLTP - EC AC Weighted (kWh/100km) - Comb: 15.3

Battery Charging Scenario 1 - Charge Time (Mins): 150

Battery Charging Scenario 1 - Power Supply - kW: 7

Battery Charging Scenario 1 - Percentage Change: 0-100

Coupler/Connector Type: CCS Type 2

Standard manufacturers Battery warranty - Years: 3

Battery Capacity % guaranteed under warranty: 70

Charging Port Location: Right Side Rear

Standard manufacturers Battery warranty - Mileage: 60000

Battery Capacity in kWh: 13.6

Battery Type: Lithium-ion

Usable Battery Capacity: N

Emissions - ICE

Standard Euro Emissions: EURO 6

HC: 0.013

Noise Level dB(A): 68

CO: 0.166

NOx: 0.006

HC+NOx: N

Particles: 0.0001

Emissions - PHEV

WLTP - CO2 Weighted (g/km) - Comb: 20

Engine and Drive Train

Engine Layout: FRONT TRANSVERSE

Engine Code: M20A-FXS

Gears: 1 SPEED

Transmission: AUTO

Compression Ratio: 14.0:1

Catalytic Convertor: No

Fuel Delivery: MULTI POINT FUEL INJECTION

Camshaft: DOHC

Number of Valves: 16

Cylinder Layout: IN-LINE

CC: 1987

Cylinders: 4

Cylinders - Stroke (mm): 97.6

Cylinders - Bore (mm): 80.5

Fuel Consumption - ICE

EC Directive 1999/100/EC Applies: 0

Fuel Consumption - PHEV

WLTP - FC Weighted (l/100km) - Comb: 0.9

WLTP - FC Weighted (mpg) - Comb: 313.9

General

NCAP Child Occupant Protection %: 86

Insurance Group 1 - 50 Effective January 07: 26E

Based On ID: N

Special Order: 0

Special Edition: 0

NCAP Adult Occupant Protection %: 85

Alternative Fuel Qualifying: No

Standard manufacturers warranty - Years: 3

Standard manufacturers warranty - Mileage: 60000

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

Generation Mark: 2

NCAP Pedestrian Protection %: 86

NCAP Safety Assist %: 79

NCAP Overall Rating - Effective February 09: 5

Badge Power: 223

Badge Engine CC: 2.0

Vehicle Homologation Class: M1

Coin Description: PHEV

Coin Series: GR Sport [Premium]

Performance

0 to 60 mph (secs): 0

Engine Power - BHP: 223

Engine Power - PS: No

Engine Torque - MKG: 19.2

Top Speed: 112

Engine Power - KW: 164

Engine Power - RPM: 6000

Engine Torque - LBS.FT: 139

0 to 62 mph (secs): 7.2

Engine Torque - NM: 188

Engine Torque - RPM: 4400

Test Cycles

Emissions Test Cycle: WLTP

RDE Certification Level: RDE 2

Tyres

Space Saver?: 0

Alloys?: No

Tyre Size Front: 245/40 R20

Wheel Style: 5-DOUBLE SPOKE

Tyre Size Rear: 245/40 R20

Tyre Size Spare: TYRE REPAIR KIT

Wheel Type: 20" ALLOY

Vehicle Dimensions

Length: 4362

Height (including roof rails): N

Height: 1564

Wheelbase: 2640

Width: 1832

Weight and Capacities

Turning Circle - Kerb to Kerb: 11

Max. Roof Load: 75

No. of Seats: 5

Max. Loading Weight: 470

Max. Towing Weight - Unbraked: 725

Max. Towing Weight - Braked: 725

Fuel Tank Capacity (Litres): 43

Gross Vehicle Weight: 2130

Minimum Kerbweight: 1660

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