2024 Toyota C-HR: everything you need to know

Inspired by our vision of a ‘concept car for the road,’ the 2024 Toyota C-HR combines standout styling, engaging dynamics and class-leading efficiency. Conceived, designed and engineered in Europe – just like its predecessor – the new second-generation model delivers the type of premium quality and sustainability that European customers demand. Allow us to explain why we believe this to be the case…

Please note: the availability of vehicle features described in this article may be dependent on the grade of vehicle. Consult your local Toyota centre or visit toyota.co.uk for more information.

2024 Toyota C-HR: standout exterior styling

The new Toyota C-HR stands out with distinctive, concept-like styling wrapped in a coupe-style silhouette. Its broad track, generous wheel sizes, and short front overhang result in a car that appears poised and dynamic from every angle – accentuated with diamond-shaped character lines across the bodywork.

Premium features include Toyota’s first use of flush-mounted door handles, and rear doors that link directly into the rear lamp units without an additional frame. This seamless, aero-honed look continues with tight shut lines, artfully concealed cameras and parking sensors, and precise profiling of the rear roof spoiler.

The ‘hammerhead’ frontal design includes full LED headlights with integrated arrow-shaped indicators, while at the rear, the model name is incorporated into the light bar and illuminates specially choreographed welcome and goodbye sequences. The option of bi-tone paintwork on selected models serves to extend the standard black roof finish into the rear quarter panels, further emphasising the strong rear styling.

Sensuous interior styling

Premium materials and thoughtful detailing create a harmonious feel throughout the cabin. The design follows a ‘wing’ concept with a slimline dashboard that flows directly into the door panels and centre console, creating a wrap-around theme. Practicality is built-in with a wireless charging point big enough for two smartphones and new storage options, including an additional high-level glove box.

The optional panoramic glass roof is equipped with low-emissive and infra-red-reducing coatings to help moderate cabin temperature. This reduces reliance on the air conditioning system and avoids the need for a conventional sunshade, which in turn improves headroom by some 30mm.

2024 Toyota C-HR: personalised user experience

Toyota’s customer-focused development programme has resulted in a car that extends each owner’s connected digital environment. Even before stepping in, a thoughtfully choreographed – yet customisable – welcoming sequence brightens the exterior illumination and adopts the driver’s preferred seating and display settings. From early 2024, owners will be able to use the MyT smartphone app for remote control of certain functions, including locking and unlocking, pre-conditioning the cabin temperature, and starting the vehicle.

Where specified, the 12.3-inch fully digital combimeter offers sharp graphics and easy-to-read information. Each of the three preset display layouts can be configured to prioritise content according to driver preference or the kind of journey being made. Quality and ease of use are enhanced by consistent use of colours and fonts across the combimeter and multimedia display screens.

An enhanced ambient lighting system is adopted for the first time on any Toyota. It uses a palette of up to 64 colours to subtly reflect changes in cabin temperature and the passing of time, even to help inform passengers whether it is safe to open the door and exit the vehicle.

Two multimedia packages are available. The Toyota Smart Connect package installed on the base Icon model has an 8.0-inch display and provides cloud-based navigation, an onboard voice agent and wireless smartphone connection for both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. All other grades feature the upgraded Toyota Smart Connect+ package, which offers a 12.3-inch central touchscreen and embedded satellite navigation. Useful information such as EV range and local charging locations are included in the navigation system’s POI (Point Of Interest) function.

2024 Toyota C-HR: environmental leadership

The 2024 Toyota C-HR sets new sustainability and emissions reduction standards, employing twice the amount of recycled materials as its predecessor. Extensive testing and analysis have ensured that the appearance, feel and durability of the materials are equal to or better than those with no recycled content.

In a European first, the new car uses high-strength steel in its centre pillars – a seemingly minor innovation but one that has multiple benefits. It improves torsional rigidity, reduces weight by 3.5kg, eliminates the need for spot welding, and reduces CO2 emissions in the production process by 10%. Production emissions have been further reduced by injection moulding external elements such as the bumpers in a new resin material that is pre-coloured in the mould and therefore does not require painting.

Further savings have been achieved by adopting a new automated painting process using water-based paints, and by adopting a new animal-free material as an alternative to leather for the steering wheel cover. This is also the first Toyota to use a new synthetic seat material made from recycled plastic bottles.

Electrifying performance

The second-generation Toyota C-HR is equipped with fifth-generation hybrid technology to deliver a class-leading balance of power and emissions. UK customers have a choice of three electrified powertrains: 138bhp 1.8- and 193bhp 2.0-litre hybrid electric, as well as a plug-in version of the 2.0-litre hybrid electric which offers an all-electric range of up to 41 miles (WLTP cycle).

Each powertrain has been tuned using real-time data to suit European roads and driving tastes. Throttle performance has been optimised for a more natural linearity with acceleration, making the car easier to control and highly responsive. Engine speed on motorways has been reduced by up to 500rpm for greater comfort, while new throttle programming modifies acceleration according to inclines to help smooth out undulating roads.

Features of the fifth-generation hybrid system include a new lithium-ion battery pack, which is located beneath the rear seats and provides 14% higher output despite being 1.5kg lighter and more compact than the outgoing battery. Similarly, the new transaxle achieves a 15% weight saving thanks to the use of new materials while at the same time giving up to 30bhp (according to the powertrain). A new power control unit contributes to efficiency through improved cooling and lower electrical losses, while operating at a higher frequency to reduce cabin noise.

Braking performance has also been improved with new 406mm front discs on hybrid models and 432mm discs on the plug-in version. The latest stability control systems and a redesigned brake pedal enhance control and provide a more natural braking feel.

The vehicle’s updated TNGA platform gives higher torsional rigidity throughout the body and is also lighter thanks to the intelligent use of materials in the structure. A similar approach is also applied to the suspension: the front MacPherson struts have been adjusted for greater rigidity and strength and the rear multi-link set-up gains higher strength TNGA components.

A lower 0.318 drag coefficient has been achieved by refining the body shape and reducing the car’s frontal area to optimise airflow. The attention to detail includes removing the rear wiper to improve aerodynamic performance; the rear screen is angled so that water drops slide away.

Learn more: Road test reviews of the new Toyota C-HR

2024 Toyota C-HR: safety and driver assistance

All versions of the 2024 Toyota C-HR benefit from the latest suite of Toyota Safety Sense active safety and driver assistance features. For added convenience, future software updates within this system can be automatically delivered over the air, so there is no need to arrange for updates to be applied by a retailer.

Key developments within the safety portfolio include Acceleration Suppression, a system that reduces any sudden use of the throttle when the system detects a collision risk with a vehicle immediately ahead. Also new is Proactive Driving Assist, which works at low speeds to smooth deceleration when the driver comes off the throttle before entering a bend or approaching a slower vehicle ahead. It works in tandem with Steering Assist, which recognises a bend ahead and adjusts steering weight to help the driver make a smooth and stable turn.

UK model range

Full-scale production of the 2024 Toyota C-HR began on 6 November 2023 and customers can order their vehicles online or at their local Toyota centre. Demonstrator vehicles are scheduled to arrive in December, with the first customer deliveries of hybrid models arriving in January 2024. Plug-in models will join the range soon afterwards.

The UK range comprises four core grades – Icon, Design, Excel and GR Sport – plus, for a limited time, Premier Edition.

Icon grade features 17-inch alloy wheels, flush door handles, powered door mirrors with auto-folding function, and the signature Toyota C-HR rear light bar. In the cabin, the seats have a cloth upholstery and there is a seven-inch digital driver’s instrument display and Toyota Smart Connect multimedia system with an eight-inch touchscreen. Convenience details include smart entry, a power back door, an auto-dimming rear-view mirror, automatic wipers, cloud-based navigation, wireless smartphone integration with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a front USB-C device charging port. 

The safety and assistance package includes the latest, third-generation Toyota Safety Sense with functions including Pre-Crash System, Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Trace Assist, Road Sign Assist and Automatic High Beam. In addition, there is a Blind Spot Monitor which links to Safe Exit Assist to help prevent doors being opened into the path of vehicles approaching from the rear. 

Design grade builds on Icon specification with 18-inch machined-finish alloy wheels, rear privacy glass and parking sensors with automatic brake function. The front seats have integrated heaters and the air conditioning can be adjusted for left and right zones. The digital and connectivity provisions include a 12.3-inch customisable driver’s instrument display, a 12.3-inch Toyota Smart Connect+ with navigation, front and rear USB-C ports and a wireless phone charger. A panoramic roof with thermal glass and a bi-tone paint finish can be specified as options. 

Excel moves things to a higher level: 19-inch machined finish alloys, bi-tone exterior paintwork, front sports seats with suede-effect upholstery, ambient interior lighting with multiple colour settings and a panoramic roof. A Panoramic View Monitor provides 360-degree imaging of the car’s immediate surroundings for safe and accurate manoeuvring, and the Toyota Safety Sense package is extended with Lane Change Assist, Front Cross Traffic Alert and Adaptive High-beam System headlights. Cornering lights and a driver monitor camera are also provided. At the same time, the options list includes a premium JBL audio system and a Tech Pack comprising, head-up display and digital rear-view mirror. 

GR Sport grade is based on Design grade but adds exterior and interior styling details inspired by Toyota Gazoo Racing. The equipment features include 20-inch machined GR Sport alloys, head-up display and JBL audio. A Premium Pack option includes a panoramic roof, digital rear-view mirror, head-up display and Adaptive High-beam System. There is also the choice of a Safety Pack with a driver monitor camera, Adaptive High-beam System with automatic levelling, cornering lights, Lane Change Assist, Panoramic View Monitor and Front Cross Traffic Alert. 

Premiere Edition builds on the standard and optional features associated with Excel grade to offer the ultimate specification – plus leather seat upholstery and bi-tone exterior paintwork in an exclusive combination of Sulfur metallic with Astral Black roof and rear quarters.

What about prices and other retail offers?

Full details of the UK range, specifications, prices and finance offers can be found in the Toyota C-HR chapter of the Toyota UK website.

All information is correct at the of publishing.