TOYOTA C-HR 2018

Body, cabin and cargo space

Except for a 16-cm height advantage, the 2018 Toyota C-HR is similar in dimensions to the Toyota Corolla iM, a compact hatchback with a more “traditional” look. However, the difference is purely one of style, since in terms of ground clearance, the C-HR surpasses the iM by a mere 1 cm. To top things off, the iM offers more front headroom.

Headroom is not really a problem, however, as there is ample room in the front for people of all sizes. The seats are relatively well bolstered and provide good support without being confining for larger builds. The driver seat power lumbar feature is rare for this segment. The driving position is adequate despite the telescoping steering wheel’s limited scope, which is common to Toyota.

Things become more somber in the back…literally. The plunging roofline has a serious impact on headroom and makes it difficult to access the rear seats, which are low and very upright. Narrow door openings add another level of difficulty, and the tiny windows make it hard for adults, let alone children, to see out. On the positive side, there is no lack of leg room.

The cargo area is about average in length for the category, but the high floor and sharply raked rear window reduce height. The 60/40-split seatbacks have to be folded down most of the time to obtain the benefits of the C-HR’s versatility.

Finish and convenience

Toyota paid particular attention to the interior of the C-HR, deploying soft-touch materials, glossy plastics and brushed-metal trim. The headliner and speaker grills are patterned to echo the eccentric body styling. The fit in our made-in-Turkey test vehicle was precise, and interior trim was rattle-free.

An attractive cabin is defined not only by finish but also conviviality. In this respect, the Toyota C-HR stands out for its clear and comprehensive analog instrument display. There’s even a coolant temperature gauge, a welcome feature in winter. Controls fall easily to hand and are mostly logical; that also goes for the infotainment touch screen. Actual buttons provide practical access to the main screens, but the absence of a tuning knob is regrettable.

The hands-free Bluetooth connexion functions well, both for setup and listening to music. While the sound quality of the audio system is adequate for the segment, it lacks brilliance and richness. Storage spaces are few and small; the cup holders hold containers firmly in place.

Toyota Canada is marketing the C-HR as a single, well-appointed model with equipment including heated seats, dual-zone climate control and an electric parking brake with a brake hold feature that engages the brakes during a prolonged stop. All advanced safety technologies are standard, including automatic emergency braking.

Unfortunately, several features popular with target buyers are conspicuously absent, even as options. That includes navigation, a sunroof, heated steering wheel and Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. This last omission seems even more flagrant in a vehicle launched as a 2018 model.

Safety features

• Antilock brakes with electronic brake-force distribution and brake assist
• Stability and traction control
• Hill-start assist
• Front airbags
• Driver knee airbag
• Front passenger seat cushion airbag (to avoid submarining in the case of a frontal impact)
• Front and rear side airbags
• Side curtain airbags
• Front seatbelt pretensioners
• Four adjustable head restraints (none on rear middle seat)
• Tire pressure monitor
• Backup camera
• Pre-collision alert with automatic braking and pedestrian detection
• Lane departure alert with steering assist
• Adaptive cruise control
• Blind spot monitor system with rear cross traffic alert (with XLE Premium package)

Crash test results

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
Overall score: 5 / 5
Frontal impact: 4 / 5
Side impact: 5 / 5
Rollover resistance: 4 / 5

Insurance Institute For Highway Safety (IIHS)
Moderate overlap frontal impact: 4 / 4
Small overlap frontal impact:
- driver side: 4 / 4
- passenger side: 4 / 4
Side impact: 4 / 4
Rear impact: 4 / 4
Roof strength: 4 / 4

Visibility

Visibility is not the Toyota C-HR’s strong point. Front: sharply inclined front roof pillars block the view at intersections. Side: tiny rear windows and wide pillars create large blind spots on both sides. Rear: high, narrow and nearly horizontal window interfere when backing up.

The backup camera compensates somewhat, but it would be better if the view were displayed on the main 7-inch screen rather than in the narrow rearview mirror. Considering the restrictions imposed by the design of the C-HR, Toyota should also have made its blind spot monitoring system standard rather than tucking it away it in an options package and forcing customers to pay $1,600 to get it.

Engine and transmission

The 2018 Toyota C-HR is inaugurating a new engine for Toyota in North America, a 2.0-litre four-cylinder with Valvematic, a simple, innovative valve train mechanism that controls air admission via valve intake rather than a throttle valve. Valvematic technology made its first appearance on the 1.8-litre engine of the 2014 Corolla Eco. According to Toyota, it improves power while also reducing fuel consumption by 5 to 10 percent.

The 144-hp output of this new 2.0-litre engine is about average for the category and with 139 lb-ft of torque, it is well-adapted to the C-HR, which seems considerably quicker than the Corolla. Smooth and linear, the engine pairs well with the continuously variable transmission, which relays power without the delays associated with the first generations of this type of gearbox. It also simulates gear shifts in heavy acceleration to avoid holding the engine at high rpms. As a result, the noise level is very well contained for this type of powertrain.

As an added bonus, the C-HR delivers on its promises in terms of energy efficiency—or at least as rated Natural Resources Canada. We recorded an average fuel consumption of 8 L/100 km on a test run composed of 75 percent highway, compared to Natural Resources Canada's official combined rating of 8.2 L/100 km.

Ride and handling

The 2018 Toyota C-HR rides on the Toyota New Global Architecture, a brand-new platform that will underpin a host of other models in the years to come. Paired with a double wishbone independent rear suspension, this is a very stiff chassis that endows Toyota’s new little SUV with very sound road comportment.

First off, we expect a vehicle of this size to be agile in the city. The C-HR delivers, thanks to a small turning circle that we found even more surprising in our test vehicle equipped with big, 18-inch wheels. The C-HR is also at ease on the highway, where it proves stable, quiet and comfortable. Whereas the low profile tires had us fearing a stiff and noisy ride, the suspension actually did a good job of absorbing the bumps, cracks and potholes common to our roads.

Road holding is in line with the Toyota C-HR’s dynamic styling. The body does, of course, lean in curves, but in a progressive and well-controlled manner. The precise steering delivers a surprisingly decent level of road sensation for a small Toyota. All-wheel drive would attenuate the understeer that appears at the limit of adherence, but for the time being, it is unavailable.

Still, you have to push relatively hard for this weakness to appear, and in reality, all-wheel drive even seems superfluous in view of the intrinsic stability of the vehicle. Even in the cold season, a good set of winter tires will do the job for most drivers. But what can we say; an SUV without all-wheel drive, even as an option is like a day at the beach with no sun; it seems like something is missing.

That being said, our only other complaint in terms of road comportment concerns the brakes, which lack bite, and the spongy feel of the brake pedal.