Toyota C-HR

Overview

It was in 2016 when Toyota showcased its C-HR at the Geneva Motor Show. But for the Malaysian market, it was revealed in the first quarter of 2017; and it was an instant hit. The Toyota C-HR was successful in accumulating a large crowd mostly because of its amazing appearance. After the unveiling, Toyota took its sweet time to build up the curiosity of its potential customers and launched the C-HR in Malaysia in March this year.

There are various reasons why the Toyota C-HR has been in the headlines. Aesthetics aside, the C-HR has secured a 5-star rating in ASEAN NCAP tests. This is brilliant. We are glad that Toyota has kept safety as one of the top-most priorities while designing the C-HR.

Interior & Features

Toyota has made sure that its excellent work on the outside of the C-HR continues in the cabin as well. Toyota has opted for a new diamond-inspired design on the leather seats which look phenomenal. The all-black interior reflects luxury and sportiness. There are a few touches of brown in areas like the doors, and center space between the two front seats. Then we have got this soft padding throughout the dashboard. This is another great feature given by Toyota. It feels so that much more premium. The wrap-around dashboard also has silver ornamentation and piano black touches to add a pleasing texture and appearance.

The 7-inch capacitive touchscreen sits vertically on the dashboard. It has got smartphone connectivity, Wi-Fi, Internet browser, voice recognition, HDMI, USB, Bluetooth, and a reverse parking camera. So, connectivity will not be a problem here.

The instrument console is futuristic and comes with a 4.2-inch color Multi-information Display (MID) which shows various data related to the car. Then we have also got an electrochromic rearview mirror that automatically darkens to reduce glare, helping you focus on what’s ahead, rather than what’s behind you.

Exterior

Toyota has done a magnificent work with the aesthetics of the C-HR. This compact crossover looks simply eye-catching from each and every angle. Starting from the front, the headlights of the C-HR are gigantic. They are so big that they almost cover the entire bonnet from the side as well as from the front. There is some space left in the middle of the two headlights to place the company’s logo. By the way, the C-HR has automatic halogen projector headlamps along with daytime running lights (DRLs). It also features follow-me-home function.

The front bumper of the Toyota C-HR carries various stylish design elements which gel with the overall look of the car. There are a couple of circular fog lamps integrated perfectly on either side of the bumper.

The term C-HR stands for Compact High Rider or Coupe High Rider. Toyota cleverly managed to give the car a two-door look. The door handles of the rear doors are located above and behind the window glass. It mixes so well with the design of the car that if you are not aware of its location, you would not be able to find it instantly.

The outside rearview mirrors are auto foldable and contain integrated turn signals. They also feature small puddle lights which are a really nice touch. So, this means that the side view of the C-HR gets a big thumbs up.

Coming to the rear end of the Toyota C-HR, it is as good-looking as the front end. There is so much sophistication going on just in the design of the boot lid and the tail lights. Talking about the lights, these are LED units and protrude out a little bit from the body as if they are floating. This idea enhances the premiumness of the car. It shows the attention to detail of Toyota. The rear bumper is pretty big and curves near the rear wheel arches.

Ride & Handling

The suspension duties in the Toyota C-HR are handled by MacPherson Strut type at the front wheels, and Double Wishbone type at the rear. These provide an amazing driving experience and a great ride quality. The 17-inch alloy wheels, which look simply jaw-dropping, carries rubber of size 215/60. These are more than sufficient to do justice to all the three driving modes.

When it comes to handling, the Toyota C-HR is a long vehicle. It measures 4.36 meters in length and 1.795 meters in width. However, its height is not that high at 1.565 meters. This short height keeps the center of gravity low and allows the car to tackle curves and corners with confidence. The overall weight of the C-HR is 1405 kg and it has a fuel tank which can hold up to 50 liters of juice. Considering all these data, the C-HR would still be able to perform on any day when the enthusiastic driver inside you wakes up.

Engine & Fuel Consumption

Toyota has endowed the C-HR with a modern and dependable 1.8-liter, 4-cylinder engine with dual VVT-i. It has been taught to produce 140 PS of max power at 6,400 revs and gracefully generates 171 Nm of peak torque at 4,000 revs. This package is mated to Toyota’s Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) with 7-speed Sequential Shiftmatic which guarantees seamless performance and comfort.

Toyota has provided three drive modes - Eco, Normal, and Sport. These modes can be selected by just a push of a button. The Eco mode optimizes air-conditioner cooling and reduces throttle response to maximize fuel efficiency. On the other hand, the Normal mode offers the best balance between fuel efficiency and performance and is suitable for everyday driving. And for the enthusiastic drivers, the Sport mode offers a more exciting drive by sharpening the throttle response.

Braking & Safety

We have mentioned about how serious Toyota has been with the C-HR when it comes to safety. It is a great deal to score a 5-star rating in the ASEAN NCAP tests. So how exactly Toyota achieved this goal?

The C-HR comes not just with one or two or three, but seven airbags. They make sure to keep the occupants of the car safe in case of a crash. Toyota has used its TNGA platform to build the C-HR. This brand-new platform is one of the reasons why the C-HR is more comfortable, quieter, handles better and most importantly, safer than ever before.

Other modern safety features include Blind Spot Monitor (BSM) which acts as an extra pair of eyes for you. The sensors intelligently detect vehicles concealed within the driver's blind spot, making every drive a much safer journey. We also have Vehicle Stability Control (VSC), Traction Control (TRC), Hill-Start Assist Control (HAC), Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) with Electronic Brake-Force Distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist (BA), Electric Parking Brake with Automatic Brake Hold, Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS), and front and rear parking sensors.

Verdict

Toyota C-HR is a car that promises to deliver, and is worth the money spent. Its long list of interesting features, modern design, nice cabin, and trustworthy engine, makes it a nearly perfect machine for a market like ours. We give a big thumbs up to the Toyota C-HR.