Big success of the Japanese brand, the C-HR is about to live its second life with its new version unveiled at the end of June. To stay at the forefront, Toyota has chosen to reinforce the futuristic design of its small SUV without forgetting to take care of its high-tech equipment.
At Toyota, the C-HR is one of the great successes. Launched in 2016, its compact SUV has sold more than 700,000 copies in Europe. Suffice to say that its second version, unveiled at the beginning of the summer, is an important challenge for the Japanese brand whose establishment on the old continent is constantly progressing. For this second opus, the Japanese manufacturer has not done things by halves, always playing the quirky design card to the fullest. It hasn’t skimped on novelties either, to stay in the game and face long-toothed competition in a segment that is still highly sought after.
The novelties of the new Toyota C-HR
In 2016, the release of the Toyota C-HR stood out with its original design. Seven years later, the manufacturer has remained faithful to its line of conduct. It must be said that the commercial card of his small SUV certainly encouraged him to persist in this way. The C-HR II is still as sharp as ever, a visual impression no doubt reinforced by the two-tone complexion (yellow and black or gray and black) of its launch model. Beyond its salient lines, the Coupé-High Rider (acronym of C-HR) has a hyper aggressive front end with its grille as wide as it is pointed. A massive side barely mitigated by the finesse of the C-shaped front lights.
A little less long, 3 centimeters (4m36), the new C-HR has taken in width (1m83 against 1m80) for an identical height (1m56), comparable to that of the Peugeot 2008 (1m55). Its flush handles – a first in the brand’s history – give the SUV an even more aerodynamic profile, as does the slope of the rear roof spoiler. The large wheels, up to 20 inches, reinforce the muscular frame of the Japanese crossover. At the rear, the writing “TOYOTA C-HR”, in the center of the tailgate, lights up when the vehicle is opened and closed.
Inside, there is also something new. Already, to enter the SUV, the driver will be equipped with a digital key on his phone dedicated to opening the doors and starting the engine. Behind the wheel, everything is bigger. The new 12.3-inch counter (depending on the finish) is 100% digital. The multimedia system is displayed on a panel of the same size, or smaller (8 inches), always depending on the finish chosen. The gear lever has also changed, the C-HR now has the same as on the Prius.
In terms of finishes, not everything is perfect in the cabin. But as the manufacturer points out, Toyota has used “twice as much recycled plastic” to equip its interior, a strategy to be welcomed from an ecological point of view but which comes at the expense of more upscale materials. In terms of comfort, if the driver is rather pampered with modern technology, it’s hard to say the same for the rear passengers. If the size of the windows has been increased somewhat, the vision remains quite limited, as is the place to settle down – the coupe shape of the SUV requires -, all giving a slight feeling of oppression.
The engine of the new Toyota C-HR
Toyota remains fully in the electrification of its vehicles and offers exclusively for its new small SUV four hybrid engines. The 122 hp 1.8 and 184 hp 2.0 blocks of the first opus have been replaced by engines of the same displacement but developing a little more power, respectively 140 horsepower at entry level and 200 horsepower. The 200 hp version is also available in 4-wheel drive thanks to the addition of a second engine at the rear axle. Finally, as for the Prius 5 also revealed at the start of the summer, the C-HR II can be powered by a 220 hp plug-in hybrid engine. The lithium-ion battery, with a capacity of 13.8 kWh fully rechargeable in 2h30 on a mains socket, should allow the SUV to travel nearly 70 kilometers in all-electric mode according to the manufacturer.
What is the release date for the new Toyota C-HR?
Produced in Turkey, the Japanese manufacturer’s compact SUV will be open for pre-booking from July for the two launch finishes (GR Sport First Edition and First Edition Collection). Its marketing is expected at the end of the year and the first deliveries should be made in early 2024.
At what price will the new Toyota C-HR be sold?
Like most manufacturers, Toyota did not communicate on prices when presenting its new model. If today the entry-level Toyota C-HR restyled in 2019 is available from 32,750 euros, we must expect a certain price increase given the novelties brought to the new version. It will probably take at least 35,000 euros to get your hands on the small Japanese SUV.