The Toyota C-HR will offer a driving experience perfectly aligned with modern, urban life, delivering a level of efficiency previously unseen in the crossover segment.
Two engine options will be available from launch – either a 1.2-litre petrol turbo or 1.8-litre petrol/electric hybrid – and, depending on model, a choice of transmissions and drivetrain options. But which of the two high-tech powerplants should you choose?
Read on for our brief synopsis of each engine.
Highlights: 1.8-litre hybrid
The Toyota C-HR can come with the advanced powertrain that is derived from that in the new Prius but specially tuned for this application.
It consists of an engine that returns 40 per cent thermal efficiency – a world-best for a petrol unit – and hybrid components that are compact, lightweight and positioned for optimum packaging. Sophisticated management of these power sources means the engine can be stopped earlier and more frequently to increase the proportion of EV driving.
The continuously variable transmission (CVT) has been engineered with lower gearing for improved off-the-line acceleration, and can be switched into an adaptive sport mode for greater responsiveness.
- 122bhp
- Targeting best-in-class CO2
- Front-wheel drive only with continuously variable transmission
Highlights: 1.2-litre petrol turbo
The Toyota C-HR is the second European model to receive Toyota’s new 1.2-litre direct-injection turbocharged petrol engine – Auris is the first. It offers performance similar to that of a naturally aspirated 1.6-litre engine but with significantly lower fuel consumption and emissions.
A choice of two gearboxes will be available – manual or continuously variable transmission. The former is computer-controlled to offer ‘intelligent’ functions such as rev-matching to smooth transitions between gears. Specifying the latter gearbox will open the possibility of either front- or all-wheel drive transmission.
- 115bhp
- 185Nm (136 lb/ft) torque
- Front-wheel drive only with manual transmission
- Front- or all-wheel drive with continuously variable transmission
All information is correct at the time of publishing
When will the 0-60 performance figures be announced for the 1.2 auto AWD variation ? – eagerly awaiting please
Hi Joanne,
Unfortunately, we have not been informed as to when this will be announced. We would recommend keeping an eye on our social channels for the latest updates! Hope this helps.
What you mean with “adaptive” sport mode ?
Hi Peter,
Thanks for your post. More details will be announced soon but the adaptive sport mode is designed to give the driver a more natural, linear
acceleration feel. Many thanks!
Although I do understand Toyota’s (and Lexus’) stand/commitment on Hybrid over Diesel, I do wonder if longer term you’ll lose sales by not having a diesel engine in the car.
My neighbours have a Mini with the 1.5 116hp engine, similar in power to my Verso with it’s BMW 1.6 engine. That kind of engine would open up the car to the business/fleet markets.
Saying that, my wife and I can’t wait to drive the hybrid when it’s available!
Hi Bryan,
Thanks for all your feedback, we will pass it on to our team! Let us know how you find driving the Hybrid.
when is it available from the dealers for a test drive?
Hi Melvin,
Thanks for your query. We expect this to be late this year, however we do not have a definite answer to this at the moment. Keep an eye on our social channels for updates as soon as we receive further information. Hope this helps!
Hi my Toyota dealer called today and has told me early Dec for test drive cars in showroom – order books for Q1 delivery opened 1st Sep.
Top spec range is called a Dynamic : 4WD petrol Auto is £27,995 is what I’ve been told.
Decision time on order tomorrow …
Real shame no 4wd on hybrid though ….
Hope this is helpful…
Hi Joanne. We’re glad your excited to give the C-HR a try. If you’re looking for hybrid 4WD, may we suggest trying the RAV4 Hybrid which features this?
Hi
As a Rav 4 2006 model driver who’s got a much loved 45k miles xt4 version from new, I did look at the new RAV4 hybrid as soon as it was launched… Too big and not like my gen RAV4 – so I’ve keenly awaited the CHR as the perfect alternative – almost perfect apart from the non AWD / hybrid combo … Still deciding if I going to be on the jan’17 delivery list or not . Got to say- love the dynamic in blue combo …
We see your predicament Joanne! The C-HR is tailored to a slightly different market to the more rugged RAV4. We will pass on your feedback however, as model revisions are always likely. Thank you, and we’d love to know how you get on later in the year.
122bhp simply isn’t enough power and isn’t competitive with others in the sector nor is the price. £25K buys you a mid range VW Tiguan with Nav, aircon and a 150bhp engine for great performance (@ 9 secs 0-62). A little more money gets you 190bhp and 7.9 0-62. Toyota need to realise UK buyers want green performance not just green and the Tiguan is a much more premium car than the C-HR.
Suzuki’s new Vitara starts from just £14K and offers 4wd and an eco friendly 150bhp engine (1.4S) for £21K.
Don’t take this post wrongly, I’m not hating.
I’d just like to see Toyota get this right and that demands a 4WD version with good of road performance (the UK has bad snow / ice in winter and buyers of the 4wd versions of these cars often live in hilly areas), and a lot more green power. It also needs to be a lot less money to be competitive with others in the sector especially the Vitara and Juke which are both very similar sizes and concepts.
Hi Michael,
Thanks for all your feedback, we will pass this on to our team.
Diesel is not the future. If you tried the new TNGA platform together with HSD 4’e gen. The differens between apple and pears (disel and petrol hybrid) is not so far away as before. I do agree that I miss the diesel power on low range. But to compete with yourself to drive smoth isn’t so bad in a hybrid.
It seems there’s a lot of censorship going off here to ensure Toyota’s products aren’t shown in a poor light. as although that wasn’t my intention, my previous comment / comparison was deleted (the 2nd one it’s happened to!).
I’ll try to keep the comment shorter here therefore and less about competitors.
Hybrid is not the future either Kalle. All new cars have to be TOTALLY electric by 2050 in any event as the UK Government has signed an EU agreement to that effect – even hybrids will be banned: http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/car-news/consumer-news/93701/all-new-cars-to-be-zero-emissions-vehicles-by-2050
It therefore makes sense for Toyota to be following other manufacturers in developing a full electric development project for the future, but concentrating on developing small capacity highly efficient turbo petrols in the interim. eg the competitors engine I mentioned above has high power, low emissions, and good economy from a 1.4.
In vehicles where a small petrol can’t fill the gap, a line of efficient Euro 6 compliant diesels can with very similar emissions.
Toyota also need to reconsider trim levels across several models, if they’re planning to compete in the high £20K range.
Currently being a Prius Gen3 owner who was eagerly waiting for Gen4 and also very closely following the the progress of the C-HR through its concept to product phase, I feel I have to add a few comments here.
I agree with Michael that the C-HR has to be more competitive. To me however, I would not consider VW as a competitor simply because if you take their Diesel factor out of the equation, the remaining products do not sell well. And Diesel as we know do not hold much promise.
From Toyota’s perspective however, I think they have lost a key opportunity here. Toyota’s no 1 strength is their hybrid tech but why have they decided to not have an HSD version for the C-HR 4wd option? If this is technical issue, they should have worked on this to make it possible. If there had been 4wd option with (say) the e-4wd hybrid setup and sporting sub 100g emissions, that would have been a unique product. Broadly speaking however, I also agree that the HSD system has to move towards better performance as well as green credentials. When I got my Prius in 2009, a car that can do 0-100 in 10seconds and emit just 74g/km CO2 was unheard of.
The second point relates to Toyota designs – the CH-R is actually not too bad but I think too much emphasis was placed on promoting this so-called younger demography that C-HR was targeting. While I just about managed to get into that age-range, it put me off to hear various Toyota reps online boasting how the C-HR was designed to appeal to younger families with no kids – totally absurd. Perfectly fine to design a car with those targets in mind but absolutely no value in saying out loud what your design goals were – a big mistake.
Finally a comment about the Prius Gen4 – Another lost opportunity. Toyota has forgotten that the Green car marketplace is very different to what it was 10 or 20 years ago. You just cannot do a strange looking car and expect it to sell to a wider audience saying it is unique because it is uniquely green. I got up at 4am on the day of the reveal of 4th gen prius and was very disappointed – I wanted this car and this company to be successful but I fear it is not going to be so. Being edgy, unique, special or whatever you use to describe Prius Gen4 will not achieve its goals simply because it is 2016 today, not 2002 or 2009.
As I said, I have been a long time supporter and loyal fan of Toyota hybrids and I am still a member of over 2 active Toyota forums but sad to say I will be leaving the brand for one that is much more in touch with its customer base. I fear this comment might not even make its way to the general public but I will be happy at least knowing that it went to a member of staff at Toyota UK.
Hi Jay,
Thanks for your comment. We do feed back all the comments we receive on here!
Absolutely agree about hybrid AWD. I’d buy 2 such cars, and no AWD leaves me wondering about Audi Q2 – they have no hybrid but a decent 0-100 times. Why not just cram 2.5 from hybrid Rav4 and electris drive for rear wheels?
Just commenting about hybrid with awd. The objective of hybrid is to lower emissions. The additional axles and rear transmission gearbox will add 50-100kg to the car increasing emissions n consumption by at least 5%. Any maker going in this direction I will consider clueless. Toyota is right in not offering awd in the tc category as this segment targets someone who wants to trade potentially more power for lesser fuel efficiency.
Having seen the prices, I really think you’re missing a trick here!
The cheapest Icon hybrid is £23,595. An Auris Design hybrid with TSS (similar spec) is £22,895 even the new Prius is cheaper at £23,295!!
I can’t be far off your target customer (mid 30’s, 2 children, loyal Toyota customer) but I feel you’re pricing me out of a Hybrid model. The whole range seems to be around £3,500 too high to me (I’m sure you have experts that work out these things), if the Icon hybrid was around £20,000 you would be at the sweet spot of the market (those Nissan things/Tiguan etc).
Just like the GT86, this will be a an opportunity missed…
Hi Bryan, thank you for the feedback. We believe the C-HR is a competitive offering, especially with our class-leading hybrid technology. We hope you’ll give it a try when it arrives in showrooms later this year, and we look forward to hearing what you think!
The trim levels fall far behind the competition.
The interior of the C-HR is far removed from any Toyota before it. It aims to showcase the emotional appeal of our interiors of the future, and given that it’s not in showrooms yet we’d love for you to check it out later this year in person and let us know what you think then, Michael. Thanks!
1.2l engine for young guy? Really? 30+ ppl wants more fun too, not law mover engine… no idea what kind of man is targeted… rather woman… I will rather go for nrw Mazda CX5 in 2017 or CRV far more better options for that money. CHR is nice looking car but engnes range and price are bad choices…
Hi Jimmy,
Thanks for getting in touch and providing feedback! We’d urge you to test drive one of our Toyota C-HR models and let us know what you think after that! There’s nothing better than experiencing it for yourself 🙂
I really think you have let the uk market down by not releasing the 2.0 litre engine, can you reverse this decision. Maybe do some more market research as there is a market for that engine, you basically have just given us the economy engines, seriously.
Hi Joseph,
Thank you for all your feedback. Unfortunately, it is out of our control as to what engines are released to the UK market. We will pass on your feedback to our team. Many thanks.
Once again Toyota comes up with an innovative design and creates a new market segment as they did with the original Rav4. This would be the perfect vehicle for me were Toyota to provide a sensible engine choice. I have become used to the torque provided by small modern 1.6 diesels and I cannot believe either a 1.2 petrol or 1.8 hybrid would satisfy me. Unless Toyota can expand the engine range I will be forced to wait until other manufacturers follow suit with a similar “high riding” coupe.
How hard can it be to add a manual 1.8 petrol FWD option to the range ? If this were available now I would be off to the local dealer with my cheque book.
Hi Graham,
We’re sorry to hear that you’re unhappy with the engine availability for the Toyota C-HR. We would strongly recommend a test drive to try out this model yourself. We’d love to hear your feedback after that!
Have tried the 1.2 and it was somewhat disappointing with the power. It lacked any wooosh as such. I liked everything else. I think it needs a but more under the bonnet. I am driving at 170 BHP turbo diesel Tiguan and hoped that I would rep[lace it with this but there is no comparison with the engine.
Hi
I feel the same as this report.
Drove the 1.2 manual
– it left me with a big smile, beautiful styling & 1st class quality , great gear box, excellent driving and road grip on Tight twisty B road! Great driving position, surprised by boot size – I’ve been holding off car purchase waiting on this beauty.
But… here is why I’m unfortunately not going to have a CHR in the driveway-
Underpowered, engine was flat at 60 mph
(I’m not convinced the hybrid would give much more 🙁
Dark cabin as a back seat passenger (would def spec a pano roof) – kids loved the back though!
In all too much of a compromise, even though I will have road Kirb envy every time I see this beaut on the road 🙂
Back to the list :-
Nx300h
Rav 4 hybrid
I’m an existing Toyota customer and certain that the reliability is why I’II stick with this brand.
Well I have the 1.8 hybrid and it has pleanty of power , can’t comment in the 1.2 never tried it , but try the 1,8 have had mine 2 months and it’s great
I finally got a chance to test drive the C-HR and hated it simply because it was so lacking in power. I’ve ordered a Mazda CX-3 instead.
Hi Graham,
We’re sorry to hear you didn’t enjoy the C-HR. Was it just the engine you weren’t keen on?
Even without test driving the Chr, you would know how it will perform by it’s power to weight ratio
I think the reason why Toyota hesitates to fit a strong engine to the CHR is because their sales of Toyota 86 will be adversely affected!
I have just ordered a CHR Hybrid 1.8 , having yes drove it for about 50 miles , it works great , I have been a Toyota driver for circa 15 years from Avensis petrol and diesel , Prius and Auris .
Do go give the CHR a real good test drive , I was lie, you sceptible prior to driving one
I have been to look at the CHR at a local dealership, was extremely disappointed with response of sales staff when looking around the ones parked outside, even when sat in the one in the showroom, still no response from the sales staff, just met by the lady that greets customers.
Am I not a potential customer, even though I was in jeans and trainers?
Would’ve liked the opportunity to have taken for a test drive.
Anyway, what is the likelihood of a more powerful engine in the near future? Or do I look at other options such as the Seat SUV Cupra/FR range when brought out?
Hi Steve,
We’re sorry to hear about your experience at one of our Centres. We do recommend booking in advance for a test drive, especially with the C-HR. We would be more than happy to arrange this for you. We have no news on any future developments to the C-HR but we suggest keeping an eye on our social channels for any updates. Many thanks.
Well all I can say is I test drove the 1800 hybrid , and was very impressed , plenty of “poke” even without pressing the power button , and have order one for March delivery , personally found Howards Toyota , Weston Super Mare , as always very helpful .
Also was p,eased to find out later that the skinned spa wheel and Jack ect are available , hate that flaming rubbish you pump in if you get a puncture and all lucky enough that it’s a small one , but even then it always means a new tyre , no one will do the repair if that grunge is pumped in.
Can’t Waite to now take delivery having been a Toyota customer from Avensis to Prius , Auris , and soon CHR , just a shame it’s not made in UK as the Auris and Prius maybe in future , rather buy Britsh assembled rather than Turkish or anywhere else come to that