Toyota revealed the C-HR, a subcompact crossover SUV, at the Geneva Motor Show in 2016. Production promptly started that same year. The production version had its launching in Japan before the year ended, with sales in Australia, Europe, North America, and South Africa commencing early in 2017. The rest of the world had a taste of the C-HR in 2018.
The C-HR, aka Toyota IZOA in China, is designed by Toyota chief designer Kazuhiko Isawa. Production started at Toyota’s facilities in Japan and Turkey and later included the assembly plants in China and Thailand. It has the same underpinnings with other models built based on the TNGA-C (GA-C) platform. Like the present-generation Toyota Prius, Toyota Corolla, and Lexus UX, the C-HR is front-engined and either front-wheel or four-wheel drive.
The letters in the crossover hatch’s name stand for three descriptive monikers, namely: Cross Hatch Runabout, Compact High Rider, and Coupe High Rider.
The Concept Version
2013-2014
As early as 2013, Toyota had begun tinkering with the concept of the C-HR. A team led by Chief Engineer Hiroyuki Koba developed the two-door compact CUV, which had its first debut at the Paris Motor Show in 2014.
2015
Toyota came up with an updated concept version afterwards and reintroduced it at the Frankfurt Motor Show and the Los Angeles Auto Show in 2015. During these last appearances, the concept C-HR demanded attention with its individualistic and stylish metallic lines.
The Production Version
2016
In 2016, the production version came out in the home market with its eye-catching look and futuristic stance. With the C-HR, Toyota introduced a new class, a new automotive architecture. This crossover blends the edgy look of a hot hatch and the high driving position of an SUV. This perfect combination plus the facetted exterior surface complete an image that's uniquely C-HR.
This high-riding coupe is available in both 2WD and AWD drivetrains and with either a 1.8L hybrid or a 1.2L turbocharged petrol engine, depending on the market. The AWD, however, comes solely in the turbocharged version.
Australia
In Australia, Toyota only offers the C-HR with the 1.2L 8NR-FTS VVT-i turbocharged engine for all the available variants. This engine has a peak output of 85kW and 185 N⋅m, with impressive fuel consumption of only 5.4L to 5.6L/100km for combined driving.
The C-HR is available in the following trim levels:
- Base, 2WD
- Base, AWD
- Koba, 2WD
- Koba, AWD
Only the base 2WD level is offered in both 6-speed manual and 7-speed CVT; all the rest in the range come with CVT in the drivetrain. Both base and Koba models come in an array of eight vibrant body colours, including hornet yellow and electric teal, while roofs come in the standard body colour. Buyers of the Koba trim get the option to choose a differently-coloured roof.
All models come equipped with both passive and active safety features, including dual front airbags, knee/head/side and window airbags, AEB, engine immobiliser, pedestrian recognition, TCS, trailer stability, and vehicle stability control, among others. Additionally, the base trim includes driver-assistance and pre-collision systems like active/intelligent cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, driver fatigue detection, lane departure warning, and many more. All AWD variants have torque transfer control on top of this base yet fully-loaded package.
The interior of the base C-HR comes in black cloth trim, whilst the Koba comes in leather-accented black fabric. The base models don 17-inch alloy wheels and feature a state-of-the-art interior. At the cockpit is an 8-inch touchscreen display, easy-access centre console, multi-function steering wheel, dual-zone climate control, and modern technology like SatNav, voice recognition, and others. The Koba package, on the other hand, boasts of heated front seats, keyless entry and start, LED headlights, 18-inch alloys, and power lumbar support (driver's seat).
Other Markets
Several versions of the C-HR reached the different markets depending on factors like market demand and regulatory restrictions. Most of Asia, like Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand received the 1.8L 2ZR-FBE inline-4 petrol variant, though Brunei also got the 1.8 L 2ZR-FXE inline-4 hybrid model. Only the 1.2L 8NR-FTS petrol 2WD variant was available in Singapore, while Taiwan got the same engine but could choose between 2WD and 4WD models.
Meanwhile, Europe received the C-HR in 1.2L turbocharged petrol and 1.8L hybrid engine versions, while North America is the only market that got the 2.0L 3ZR-FAE naturally-aspirated petrol engine version.