Is the new cleaner second generation an improvement over the old overstyled first generation?
Exterior – Front
So, lets start with the design at the front of the new Toyota C-HR and we get Toyota’s new design language. We get the new 2-layer headlight design with a sportier and more aggressive front end. The headlights incorporate the LED Daytime Running Light as well as Matrix Technology. We also get this big black panel surrounding the grill giving this aggressive styling to the front. The central air vent is also the main grill and again it has this aggressive styling to it. We do get some side vents, but they are hidden by the big black panel.
Exterior – Side
Moving round to the side and it is unmistakenly a C-HR with its silhouette. What is odd though is the dual colour setup. We get the body colour on the doors but as we move to the back it becomes black, a bit like what the Aygo X has. To be honest I think this makes this car sportier and quirkier. The door handles are flush with the body, and we also get some stylish wheels. The taillights also bleed into the side again making this car more modern than before.
Exterior – Rear
Moving round to the back and its like we get a completely different car with the rear being all black. We get these cat ears up on the roof like other more modern coupe SUV’s and we also get this new much thinner taillight system which also has the Toyota and C-HR lettering incorporated into it. It looks much more modern and unique than before, but it still looks like a C-HR. there is plenty of creases like before but not too many and the bumper is also quite sporty looking which suits this car quite well. So far then a big step forward in terms of exterior design and something that looks decent from what we were used to. Let’s have a look at what engine options there are for the new Toyota C-HR
Car and engine specs and price
So, the engine range for the CH-R is quite simple with it only being petrol hybrid or petrol plug in hybrid. Let’s start with the petrol hybrid engine and this engine is a 1.8 litre hybrid unit with 138 bhp. this can do 0-62 in 10.2 seconds which is quite slow. It is also mated to an Automatic Gearbox, and it is also front wheel drive. Next up is the 2.0 litre hybrid engine. This has 195 bhp with a 0-62 time of 8.1 seconds and just like the other engine it is mated to an Automatic gearbox powering the front wheels. MPG is quite impressive though at 57 mpg which is high for a petrol engine. For the plug-in hybrid model, you can have a 2.0 litre petrol unit with an electric motor. This gives you 221 bhp and an electric only range of 41 miles. 0-62 is delt within 7.2 seconds which is decent, and it is also front wheel drive. The price of the new Toyota CH-R starts at £31,290. Lets have a look at the interior.
Interior – Design
Now before we get inside the new C-HR I just want to remind you what the old version was like. It was very outdated with an old infotainment system, plain interior with loads of buttons and an odd layout that just felt dated when it came out. Well step into the new C-HR. it doesn’t feel like it’s the same company, it is so different and much more modern and stylish than before. the dashboard wraps round you with ambient lighting. We also get more premium materials and a driver-oriented design with a sporty steering wheel and seats that support you well. The infotainment system is like what you would find on another Lexus’s and newer Toyota’s, and it works very well and once you get used to it, it is easy to use. We also get physical climate control switches and a compartment to separate you from the passenger. The gear shifter is like the one from the LBX that I reviewed a while ago too. The steering wheel is a bit odd, but it is better than before, and storage is also better too. We also get a digital instrument cluster with great graphics and cool animations to make this car feel cooler than before. Overall then a more premium interior that feels better to be in and finally we also get a JBL premium sound system. lets have a look and see what it is like in the back
Practicality
So, this is where the C-HR starts to lose points. I’m 6 foot 2 and sitting behind myself I get a little amount of knee room but no legroom and no headroom sitting straight. It is also quite dark in the back with a little window and mostly plastic on the doors. We also don’t get any air vents and an arm rest. So, sitting in the back isn’t the best unless you are a child and don’t get car sick or don’t like looking out the window. Let’s have a look in the boot to see if things improve.
Boot Size
So, opening the boot to the Toyota C-HR and you are welcomed with 364 litres of boot space. if you go for the sportier GR Sport model though it does reduce its size by 20 litres as the 12-volt battery is in the boot. Also, if you go for the plug-in hybrid model the space goes down to 310 litres. This isn’t that bad compared to some cars.
Summary
So, in summary then what do I think of the new Toyota C-HR. well it is definitely an improvement over the old model but as a family car with teenagers then it may be too small for you but if you have young children then this may be the car for you as it has the modern styling outside and in.
Exterior 5/5
Interior 5/5
Practicality 2/5
Total 12/15
Model | Toyota C-HR Premiere Edition |
Engine | 2.0 Litre, 195bhp, 0-62 = 8.1 Seconds, Front Wheel Drive |
Transmission | Automatic |
Price | £42,730 |
On Sale | Now |
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