Toyota has launched their all-new crossover, the C-HR (that stands for Coupe High Rider or Compact High Rider, by the way, take your pick), in Australia where it will vie for elbowroom with the such cars as the Mazda CX-3, Honda HR-V, and Nissan Qashqai.
With a starting price of $26,990 plus on-road costs. They have kept the range simple with the trim level split between just two tiers, the standard (base) C-HR and higher specified C-HR Koba, and within each prices very between the 2WD model which comes as either a manual or CVT automatic or the 4WD which comes only as an auto.
Its exterior design is a departure from what we’re used to seeing from the Japanese automaker, in a good way. Arguably, this visual tangent is necessary for Toyota to capture the younger crowd that are sustaining the ongoing popularity of the compact crossover segment, a marketplace already rife with good looking entrants.
The C-HR is built upon the new TNGA platform and features a MacPherson front suspension and a double wishbone array at the rear for some relatively impressive handling to match its sporty coupe-esque profile.
Under the bonnet of every unit sits a 1.2-litre turbo-petrol engine that’s good for 85kW and 185Nm from a lowly 1,500rpm, marking the C-HR as the first turbocharged petrol ever offered by Toyota in Australia.
Inside, the all C-HRs feature satellite navigation and dual-zone climate control. A 6.1-inch infotainment display hovers atop the centre stacks allowing the rest of the dashboard to be mounted lower for better visibility.
Each also gets seven airbags, stability and traction control, automatic high beam, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, rain-sensing wipers, front and rear parking sensors and hill-start assist. In addition, there’s also a full suite active safety tech even on the base model: autonomous emergency braking, active cruise control, reversing camera, and lane departure assist.
The top-spec Koba, naturally, features even more features and luxury touches. These include leather-accented seats, keyless entry and ignition, bigger (18-inch) alloy wheels, LED lamps and innovative nanoe (pronounced nano-e) technology that moisturises cabin air.
All C-HR’s can also be customised quite extensively. A two-tone paint option can be had for an extra $450 (Koba only), essentially changing the roof colour to either white or black. Multiple wheel options, exterior garnishes, wheel caps and mirror covers round out this mix-and-match ability.
C-HR
- 2WD Manual - $26,990
- 2WD CVT Auto - $28,990
- 4WD CVT Auto - $30,990
C-HR Koba
- 2WD CVT Auto - $33,290
- 4WD CVT Auto - $35,290
For more on Toyota vehicles, including pricing and specifications, check out our Showroom.
