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Love it or hate it, you must admit that Toyota’s brave penmanship when creating their C-HR has created a unique-looking vehicle. In a sea of competition, this avant-garde styling sets it apart.

In 2020, the C-HR range was facelifted; now the top-of-the-range Luxury model has received some notable aesthetic and safety upgrades.

Building on the facelift model's sharpened head and tail lamp design, the latest version adopts sequential turn indicators and unique light-cluster treatment. Dramatic Y-shaped light guides are paired with high-intensity Bi-beam LED light clusters with integrated Daytime Running Lights (DRL). The foglamps in turn have also been upgraded to LED spec, creating impressive nighttime visibility. 

The aesthetic treatment is not only reserved for the front, as the tail lamps too have been treated to some cosmetic enhancements. A dramatic three-segment LED design, complemented by smoked light surrounds and horizontal cross section (which extends across the tailgate), help amp up the visual ante.

The darkened light features pair perfectly with the black roof treatment as provided by the Bi-tone exterior treatment.

The C-HR is available in five striking colour combinations: White Pearl, Passion Red, Lunar Metallic, Cosmic Blue and Inferno Orange Metallic for the daring.

The active safety system aka Toyota Safety Sense (TSS) has been upgraded with the addition of all-speed Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), while the Lane Departure Alert (LDA) system now boasts Lane Trace functionality.

Lane Trace Assist is a further evolution of LDA, where the system will not only help avoid unplanned lane departure, but assist with centring the vehicle within the lane while following the natural arc of the road, too. These features are in addition to the existing Pre-Collision System (PCS), Auto High Beam (AHB), Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA) and Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) –  as part of the TSS suite.

The C-HR is driven by Toyota’s proven 1.2-litre turbocharged petrol engine. It delivers an effortless mid-range punch and cruising ability paired to either a CVT or 6-speed manual transmission. It produces 85kW and 185Nm across a broad rpm range, whilst using just claimed 6.3 litres per 100 km of fuel (6.4 for the CVT). I achieved a figure of 8.3 litre per 100 km over my city drive. This is still very economical when compared to a variety of vehicles I review.

Happily, the features are plentiful in the Luxury model I reviewed. The list abounds with features like keyless entry, push-start operation, auto-retractable side mirrors, rain-sensing wipers and an auto-dimming rear-view mirror. Park Distance Control (PDC), automatic climate control, heated seats, Multi-Information Display, a touchscreen audio system with CarPlay/Android Auto functionality and luxurious leather interior (with diamond motif) round it off. The Toyota Connect in-car telematics and Wi-Fi system (with complimentary 15GB) is included.

The C-HR’s compelling attributes lie beyond its distinctive styling but more so to its engineering prowess. It’s arguably one of the most comfortable riding cars in its class. The quality of the car’s materials can be felt in a variety of spheres; this is appreciated in the C-HR’s very supportive seats.

Driven in a demure manner, the C-HR’s CVT gearbox does an effortless job of city driving. Enthusiastic driving is dulled by the gearbox, but isn’t completely out of the question when driven via the car’s manual function.

Being in a competitive segment, the top-of-the-range Luxury model may seem pricey, but it is important to consider the fact that high end luxury vehicles of double the price don’t come as well equipped!

The Competition

Citroën C3 Aircross, Fiat 500X, Honda HR-V, Hyundai Kona, Mazda CX-3/CX-30, Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross, Peugeot 2008, Renault Captur and Volkswagen T-Roc

Pricing

C-HR 1.2T                    R 402 300

C-HR 1.2T Plus             R 436 300

C-HR 1.2T Plus CVT      R 449 300

C-HR 1.2T Luxury CVT  R 519 900

Service and Warranty

All C-HR models are sold with a 6-services/90 000 km service plan (intervals set at 15 000 km) and 3-year/100 000km warranty. Customers can also purchase a variety of service and/or warranty add-ons at their local dealership.

My Choice

C-HR 1.2T Plus              R 436 300

www.toyota.co.za/ranges/c-hr