It would seem that “High Rider” is not meant literally.įor occupants, too, the C-HR cedes spaciousness to style. The tradeoff of this swoopy styling is a scarcity of usable interior space: the C-HR offers just 37 cubic feet of total cargo with the rear seats folded, which is far behind the Honda HR-V’s nearly 59 cubic feet and the Seltos’s whopping 63.Īt the same time, despite its visually high-riding stance, the C-HR lacks crossover hallmarks like available all-wheel drive (AWD) or off-road-capable ground clearance.
With its sloping roofline, aggressive stance, and camouflaged rear doors, the C-HR pulls out all the stops in going for a sporty look. However, unlike these competitors, the C-HR is designed to emulate the form-factor of a two-door coupe. The Toyota C-HR’s chunky, exuberant styling is unique among subcompact crossovers, and includes a wild mix of design flourishes like a lip spoiler, rear canards, and wraparound LED headlights. While it’s a tad bigger than micro-utes like the Hyundai Venue and Nissan Kicks, it plays in the same space as liveably-proportioned subcompacts such as the Kia Seltos and Mazda CX-30. The C-HR may be worth it to some for the fashion statement, but it’s crucial to be aware of the trade-offs.Īt just 172.6 inches long, the C-HR is right-sized for tight city environments.
The stylish “Coupe High-Rider” was introduced for the 2017 model year as a belated replacement for the Scion xD, but has since gained many new competitors that beat it on both available power and interior usability. We fit 14 of carry-on suitcases inside with the rear seats folded.As Toyota’s littlest crossover, the C-HR is also arguably the most flamboyantly-styled offering from an automaker that still takes design risks. When it comes to hauling cargo, this segment's leader is the Honda HR-V, which, thanks to its ingenious folding rear seat, offers class-above space. Dual-zone automatic climate control is the only basic luxury here, so those wishing for niceties such as power seat adjustments or a sunroof will be left wanting. When it comes to feature availability, though, the C-HR is anything but up-to-date. Overall, the cabin has a very youthful appeal. In low-light situations, the trim used on the dashboard of our XLE test car appeared to be standard-issue piano black, but in direct sunlight, a metallic glaze shone through-a nice surprise. A faux-leather dash with simulated stitching looks upscale, while diamond-patterned plastic on the doors and similarly patterned headliner accents add a bit of fun to the mix. Except for a pair of cheap plastic panels on either side of the center console, the materials throughout the interior seem well chosen and durable. Typical Toyota quality abounds inside the C-HR's cabin. For more information about the C-HR's fuel economy, visit the EPA's website. While its EPA estimates of 27 mpg city and 31 mpg highway have the C-HR neck and neck with most rivals, it blew away all but the Nissan Kicks (the two mini-utes tied for the same result) in our real-world highway fuel-economy testing: The XLE model we tested smashed past its EPA rating and delivered a phenomenal 37 mpg over the course of 200 miles. Handling is lively, body roll is well controlled, and the C-HR feels playful from behind the wheel.Īcceleration isn't the C-HR's main focus fuel efficiency is where this crossover shines. The C-HR's steering feels accurate, and its front wheels respond directly to commands.
The suspension quickly rebounds after large road imperfections but hit a stretch of patched or broken pavement at speed and you're treated to a cacophony of noise harsh bumps send reverberations throughout the cabin. Over bumps, the C-HR delivers a ride that is comfortable, but it isn't a standout in this segment. But put your right foot deep in the accelerator pedal and the engine revs to its peak and stays there, droning on while you wait for the continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) to adjust its ratios in a futile attempt to provide rapid forward motion. When driving normally around town, the lack of power is well disguised thanks to a responsive throttle that launches you eagerly off the line. In our testing, the C-HR was only able to muster an 11.0-second saunter from zero to 60 mph, and it is significantly slower than most of its rivals.
The C-HR's four-cylinder could use a turbocharger or a supercharger-or even a big can of Red Bull-as it's incapable of hustling this crossover up to speed with anything approaching enthusiasm. Toyota offers few options other than accessories, but we'd stop there anyway to keep the C-HR's cost affordable. The XLE comes with plenty of features that most buyers will consider essential, including 18-inch wheels, a proximity key with passive entry, blind-spot monitoring, heated exterior mirrors, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel.