Introducing the Second-Generation Toyota C-HR: A Sharply Styled Crossover with a Plug-In Hybrid Powertrain
Toyota has unveiled the second-generation C-HR, a crossover that features a plug-in hybrid powertrain for the first time. The new C-HR boasts a radical design, which is similar to the C-HR Prologue concept that was shown last year. The new model is expected to attract new customers to the brand, and it features the same powertrain line-up as the Toyota Prius.
The Powertrain Line-Up
The new C-HR has three powertrain options: a 2.0-litre plug-in hybrid, a 2.0-litre parallel hybrid, and a 1.8-litre parallel hybrid. The 1.8-litre powertrain pairs a 97bhp petrol engine with a 94bhp electric motor, driving a combined 138bhp through the front wheels and good for 56.5-58.9mpg on the WLTP cycle. This entry-level powertrain is essential for preserving the model’s “accessibility,” according to product manager Andrea Carlucci.
The 2.0-litre parallel hybrid bumps power to 198bhp but suffers no MPG penalty. A four-wheel-drive model, with a second electric motor on the rear axle, cuts the C-HR’s 0-62mph time to 7.9sec and achieves upwards of 53mpg.
The new front-wheel-drive plug-in hybrid option features the same 2.0-litre petrol engine but gains a beefier, 163bhp motor for a combined 223bhp. It can complete 41 miles on electric power alone and features new geofencing technology, which automatically switches the car to EV mode when it detects you have entered a low-emission zone, if there is enough power in the battery. However, Toyota has yet to confirm if UK cars will have this function.
The Design
The new C-HR has a radical design that is similar to the C-HR Prologue concept that was shown last year. It is the first SUV in Toyota’s European line-up to feature the new ‘hammerhead’ front-end design that made its debut on the latest Toyota Prius, which is not sold in the UK. The new model is expected to attract new customers to the brand, and it features the same powertrain line-up as the Toyota Prius.
Inside, the Mk2 C-HR has been reinvented with a focus on upmarket materials and technologies. A 12.3in digital instrument display and a 12.3in infotainment touchscreen are reserved for higher trim levels. Entry-grade cars get an 8.0in touchscreen.
Price and Availability
Prices for the new C-HR are expected to start from around £35,000, a slight increase on the outgoing model and competitive with higher-trim variants of the similarly sized Mazda CX-30 and Honda HR-V. The plug-in hybrid is likely to carry a sizable premium: the Toyota RAV4 PHEV started at £44,140 before orders were paused – £5990 more than an equivalent parallel hybrid.
Conclusion
The new C-HR is a sharply styled crossover that features a plug-in hybrid powertrain for the first time. It boasts a radical design that is similar to the C-HR Prologue concept that was shown last year. The new model is expected to attract new customers to the brand, and it features the same powertrain line-up as the Toyota Prius. Prices are expected to start from around £35,000, and the plug-in hybrid is likely to carry a sizable premium.