2024 Toyota C-HR review

When will the 2024 Toyota go on sale in Australia?

The 2024 Toyota C-HR is available now through Toyota's network of dealers.

How much does the 2024 Toyota C-HR cost?

The 2024 Toyota C-HR range is made up of three models with pricing significantly increased compared to the $26,990 - $35,290 price bracket for the first generation seven years ago. Toyota says the price shift reflects the increased cost of its hybrid technology as well as rising costs of bringing cars to market.

• 2024 Toyota C-HR GXL 1.8L hybrid- $42,990
  
• 2024 Toyota C-HR Koba 1.8L hybrid- $49,990
• 2024 Toyota C-HR GR Sport 2.0L hybrid - $54,990

Six paint colours are available in the range, with an eye catching two-tone colour option available on the Koba and GR Sport. A two-tone paint with contrast roof colour is available as an option, and can be combined with a sunroof. Additional pricing applies for premium paint finishes.

• Two-Tone premium paint: $775
• Two-Tone Plus premium paint: $1,550
• Two-Tone Plus premium paint + panoramic roof: $2,700

What does it cost to service the new Toyota C-HR?

If you choose to service at a Toyota dealer, the first five years/75,000km services cost just $200 every 15,000kms. The Toyota CH-R is supported by a five year unlimited kilometre warranty.

The C-HR is just one of Toyota's small SUVs, the line up also includes the Yaris Cross and Corolla Cross. Image: Supplied.

How efficient is the new 2024 Toyota C-HR hybrid?

Both GXL and Koba C-HR models are powered by Toyota's fifth-generation 72kW 1.8-litre petrol hybrid engine paired with an electric motor on the front axle and a CVT automatic transmission to generate 103kW and 185Nm. It is now one of Toyota's most fuel efficient vehicles, with fuel consumption of 4.0L/100km and combined CO2 emissions reduced to 89g/km.

The Toyota C-HR GR Sport introduces all-wheel drive to the C-HR offering for the first time, and is equipped with a higher output 112kW 2.0-litre petrol hybrid engine and dual electric motors mounted on the front and rear axle which Toyota says should deliver a more engaging drive experience. 

Compared with the GXL and Koba, the GR Sport’s front electric motor is more powerful with a total output of 83kW/206Nm, while the motor on the rear axle contributes 30kW/84Nm for a total system output of 146kW.

Despite being more powerful, the GR Sport hybrid offers excellent fuel consumption figures, close to the smaller engined GXL and Koba of just 4.1L/100km on the combined cycle test. Combined cycle CO2 emissions for the C-HR GR Sport are 94g/km.

The Toyota C-HR GXL. Image: Supplied.

What is the Toyota C-HR like inside?

For the interior, Toyota has chosen recycled PET materials and has eliminated the use of animal materials across the range. The entry model GXL includes a fabric trim, which is stepped up in the Koba with the addition of synthetic suede-like finishes to the fabric upholstery. The GR Sport increases the sports feel with the inclusion of sports front seats and upholstery that is finished in synthetic leather and suede-like finishes.

The interior space is compact but well finished, with lots of soft touches contributing to a premium feel. Touchpoints like the door handles and switchgear contribute to an overall cabin feel that is on par with the CH-R's elevated price.

Seat feel between the Koba and GR Sport models is quite different. The Koba seat is more forgiving, with the GR Sport seat harder but supportive. Passenger room in the rear is limited so if you're sitting behind a six-footer you may find limited leg room.

All models feature three rear ISOFIX anchor points and top tethers, 60:40 split folding rear seats, automatic dual-zone climate control, automatic rain-sensing wipers and keyless entry and start.

In the GXL there's manual driver and front passenger seat adjustment which is stepped up in the Koba and GR Sport with a powered driver’s seat with memory and heated front seats. Additional details for the GR Sport driver include heated steering wheel, GR Sport aluminium scuff plates and GR Sport floor mats.

How much boot space does the Toyota C-HR have?

Cargo space is rated at 388L for front-wheel-drive grades, which can expand to 1155L with the rear seats folded. GR Sport provides 362L of storage, which increases to 1134L with the seats folded flat.

By comparison, the Peugeot e-2008 battery electric vehicle has a smaller boot space (343L) with the second row seats up but significantly more space (1467L) once the seats are folded. Drivers looking for a more practical space in the Toyota range might consider a similarly priced, yet more spacious Toyota RAV4.

Legroom for rear seat passengers is tight in the Toyota C-HR. Image: Supplied.

Is the Toyota C-HR good to drive?
 

Toyota introduced the 2.0-litre C-HR GR Sport and 1.8-litre C-HR Koba variants in a drive program that focused on urban and urban fringe locations, placing the Toyota C-HR in its most likely habitat.

There's no doubting that both hybrid engines are frugal, a sustained period of driving in heavy traffic at low speeds, elicited fuel economy figures around 4.8L/100l in each engine option. Pick up from the 1.8-litre engine is adequate in normal drive mode, and enhanced by selecting the optional sport mode. Like many vehicles equipped with a CVT, there's a recognisable drone from the engine when under hard acceleration but its not overly intrusive.

Steering is decent and responsive, with the Koba's front-wheel drive system combined with its 19-inch wheels delivering a surprisingly engaging experience when road conditions allowed.

A very short stint of country driving in the GR Sport was not quite enough to assess its all-wheel drive capability on the open road, but sufficient to conclude that the drivetrain offers greater performance that the smaller engined, front-wheel drive Koba. The GR Sport is engineered quite differently to the Koba, with a twin motor all-wheel drive set up, generating extra power on the rear axle and more confident sure-footed road holding. It's not a performance vehicle by any stretch - definitely more 'Sport' than 'GR', but buyers choosing this option will likely maximise its potential on a country road run to the hills.

What safety features does the Toyota C-HR have?

All Toyota C-HR models are equipped with 10 airbags as standard as well as Toyota Safety sense which includes a comprehensive range of driver assistance technologies such as pre-collision system with autonomous emergency braking, pedestrian, daylight cyclist, motorcyclist and oncoming vehicle detection, emergency steering assist, active cruise control with curve speed reduction, driver monitor camera and panoramic view monitor with parking sensors.

The Koba and GR Sport variants add adaptive high beam assist.

The Toyota C-HR range has been awarded a five-star ANCAP safety rating.

What technology features does the Toyota C-HR have?

The GXL, Koba and GR Sport variants all include a large 12.3-inch touchscreen display with natural voice recognition, embedded and cloud-based satellite navigation, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth, DAB+ digital radio,  6-speaker audio system, 2 USB-C charging ports, 12V accessory charge point and Toyota connected services.

Koba and GR Sport adds a 12.3-inch colour digital instrument display, digital rearview mirror and multi-colour ambient interior lighting, They also include a colour head-up display, Nanoe-X cabin ionisation, wireless smartphone charger, rear USB-C accessory port and powered tailgate.

How does the Toyota C-HR compare to other SUVs?

With much more to pick from today, the second generation Toyota C-HR faces considerably more headwinds than the original car did in 2017. The small SUV segment is incredibly competitive in terms of price and vehicle options available. There's something for every buyer from the popular Subaru Crosstrek to value packed electric vehicles like the MG ZS. And a multitude of powertrain options exist in this end of the market so for the equivalent price of the Toyota C-HR, it's worth cross shopping some cheaper battery electric vehicles like the MG4 electric small car if efficiency is close to the top of your wish list and you're not wedded to the idea of an SUV.

If space is more important, then for this price, you could be looking at some excellent medium SUVs, including the BYD Atto 3 EV, Hyundai Tucson, Kia Sportage, Mitsubishi Outlander, Nissan X-Trail and from Toyota's own stable, the RAV4, so you'll get a lot more space for your dollars.

If you're committed to a small Toyota, then the Toyota Yaris Cross and Toyota Corolla Cross are both more affordable.

The Toyota C-HR GR Sport is more 'Sport' than 'GR'. Image: Supplied.

Should I buy a Toyota C-HR?

There are undoubtedly many advantages to buying a Toyota. The brand is supported by an excellent dealer network, which extends across regional Victoria, so aftersales support is significant, and affordable, with Toyota's low cost initial services representing a real saving.

Buying a Toyota also comes with the reassurance of a reliable name plate and excellent retained value.

However, the Toyota C-HR is expensive, and is a small car in comparison to similarly priced vehicles from other manufacturers.  If you're set on the Toyota C-HR, then our pick of the range is the mid-spec Koba, but for a better bang for your initial buck, (allbeit less fuel efficient), the larger RAV4 offers all of the same Toyota ownership benefits in a more practical package. Or make the step up to a battery electric vehicle - the MG4 would be a good place to start looking.