2018 Toyota C-HR Test Drive Review

2018 Toyota C-HR Test Drive Review

Car Tested: 2018 Toyota C-HR; Road Test No. 1034; Test Location: USA

Price OTR: $22,500 – $24,350 (Rs. 16.31 – 17.65 lakhs est.)

The Toyota C-HR is an aggressively styled crossover which isn’t fun to drive

The Honda HR-V, Mazda CX-3, Jeep Renegade and the Kia Soul have been enjoying good demand from the global audience and Toyota wanted a larger piece of the action. Their RAV4 is a slightly larger car and comes at a much higher price point. Hence, the Japanese carmaker decided to drive in the C-HR. Based on the RAV4, the C-HR boasts of an entirely new design language. It’s definitely got the looks but there’s more to it than meets the eye.

Exteriors – The Toyota C-HR is an instant attention magnet. The design is bold, unique and flamboyant with umpteen curves and lines running across the body. It tries to mimic the design of the RAV4 and eventually ends up looking like a mini RAV4 with an extravagant rear. At the front, the angular headlights are done in signature Toyota fashion and sport LED DRLs and projectors. The coupe-like sloping roofline and the 18-inch dual-tone alloy wheels look nothing but sexy while the beefy wheel arches and the black cladding add to the crossover/SUV appeal. The design highlight of the C-HR has to be its rear. The insanely raked windshield, C-shaped tail-lights and the roof spoiler add a lot of character and attitude and the large black inserts on the front and rear bumper help in cutting off the visual mass of the vehicle.

Interiors – Like the exterior, the interior of the C-HR feels quirky. The cabin gets an all-black treatment and the high-set window line at the rear makes the occupants feel claustrophobic. However, the piano-black inserts on the 3-spoke multi-function steering wheel and the dashboard give the cabin a premium feel while the soft-touch plastics on the dashboard add to the feel-good factor. There is a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with a 6-speaker audio system for the audiophile in you but the unit, like in most Toyota cars, misses out on Android Auto and Apple CarPlay and even Navigation. While the graphics on the infotainment’s screen are crisp, honestly, this isn’t an intuitive system. Features include a dual-zone climate control, heated front seats, rear-view camera (display is on the IRVM and not on the infotainment), electrically adjustable and foldable ORVMs and electric parking brake with auto-hold function.

The dashboard is driver-focussed and comes with some nifty elements

There is only one USB port available in the entire cabin which is kind of a bummer considering how tech-savvy people are today. In terms of seat comfort, the Toyota C-HR gets comfortable and well-cushioned wide front seats. Space at the rear is okayish for a crossover of this size. Legroom is average but headroom and under-thigh support are lacking. The relatively flat floor does make it comfortable for the third passenger but honestly, the seat isn’t wide which means seating three adults will be a squeeze. There is no reclining function available for the rear seat and neither is there an armrest provided. Boot space is at a generous 538-litres but again, the loading lip is high and transferring those big and heavy suitcases will need some effort.

Performance – The Toyota C-HR we test drove was the petrol variant, powered by a 2.0-litre, 4-cylinder Valve Matic engine that produces 144 HP of power and 189 Nm of torque. The engine specifications look promising but performance actually isn’t. While there is an adequate punch in the low and mid-range, the motor just revs and revs at the top end and feels very lethargic to move ahead. A 6-step CVT transmission takes care of the transmission duties and honestly speaking, this gearbox bogs down the overall drive experience. There is the typical rubber band effect that we have come to associate with CVT gearboxes but the manual mode does pep up the drive experience but by a small margin only.

The Toyota C-HR is built on the same platform as the Toyota Prius

There are three driving modes on offer – ECO, Sport and Normal. The ECO mode trades off performance for the sake of enhanced mileage and vice versa with the Sport mode. However, even in the Sport mode, the powerplant does not feel all that sprightly. The automaker claims a mileage of 11 and 13 km/l for city and highway driving respectively. Overall, the Toyota C-HR may make you go weak in your knees courtesy its looks but the drive experience is not something that would put a smile on a millennial’s face.

Driving Dynamics – The C-HR is a front-wheel drive car. The ride quality is comfortable as the suspension is set up slightly on the softer side but handling isn’t all that great. High-speed stability is great all thanks to the crossover’s 1500 kgs kerb weight but the steering offers no feel and feedback and feels absolutely disconnected. The brakes have a spongy feeling to them and that could get unnerving at times but the grip from the 225-section tyres is great.

Safety and After Sales Service – The 2018 Toyota C-HR has scored a 5-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration). That aside, the crossover also gets 10 airbags (yes, you heard that right!), ABS with EBD and BA, Vehicle Stability Control and Traction Control. Also, as part of the Safety Sense P package, you also get Active Cruise Control, pre-collision warning with automatic braking and pedestrian detection and lane departure warning with steering assist. The Japanese carmaker’s after sales service is very good and that leaves with no room for complaints at all.

Verdict – To sum it all up, the Toyota C-HR clearly aimed at the millennial has very few armours up its sleeve, i.e. looks and safety and a couple of chinks in that same armour. Neither does it excite while driving nor does it pack the required features a millennial today desires. Having said that, if you’re looking for a vehicle primarily for city commutes and want it to stand out instantaneously with its ravishing design and of course, make your neighbourhood feel envious about you, then you won’t go wrong picking the C-HR.

What’s Cool

* The C-HR’s styling offers the car a distinct personality.
* The interior is quirky but well-loaded.
* It gets a ton of safety features along with a 5-star rating.

What’s Not So Cool

* The car doesn’t perform as well as it looks
* The handling of the car leaves a lot to be desired
* The rear seats do not offer adequate space

Alternatives: – Maruti S-Cross, Renault Captur, Ford EcoSport

2018 Toyota C-HR Specifications

* Engine: 1987cc, 4-Cyl, Valve Matic Petrol
* Power: 144 HP @ 6100 RPM
* Torque: 189 Nm @ 3900 RPM
* Transmission: 6-step CVT automatic gearbox

* 0-100 km/hr: 11 seconds
* Top Speed: 185 km/hr

* Suspension: Independent McPherson Strut (Front), Multi-Link with Coil Springs (Rear)
* Tyre Size: 225/50/18
* Brakes: Discs (Front), Discs (Rear), ABS
* Safety: 10 Airbags, VSC, Traction Control, Hill Start Assist

2018 Toyota C-HR Dimensions

* Overall length x width x height: 4348 mm X 1796 mm X 1565 mm
* Boot Space: 538-litres
* Wheelbase: 2639 mm

* Kerb weight: 1500 kgs
* Fuel Tank Capacity: 50-litres

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