Making its world debut at the 2016 Geneva motor show, the Toyota C-HR gives Toyota a new presence in the crossover market.
Designed to stand out both within the Toyota line-up and in its segment, it represents Akio Toyoda’s determination to allow greater stylistic freedom and promote engineering creativity in order to achieve eye-catching designs and enhanced driving pleasure.
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The unique character of the Toyota C-HR demonstrates the flexibility of the Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA) for vehicle developers in the three key areas of design, powertrain and dynamics, allowing them to deliver a fresh take in the increasingly popular crossover segment.
As a result, the Toyota C-HR remains remarkably true to the general features of the concept-cars that attracted so much public attention at Paris in 2014 and Frankfurt in 2015. The coupe-like lines are a testimony to the resolve of its designers to create a style that stands out in the Toyota range, and to establish a new direction for mid-sized crossovers.
See also: Toyota C-HR: Concept Car vs Production Car
2016 Toyota CH-R: Hybrid and TNGA
The Toyota C-HR also brings innovation to its segment through the introduction of a hybrid powertrain. Using Toyota’s very latest 1.8-litre hybrid system, the driving experience is matched to a level of efficiency previously unseen in the crossover segment.
Finally, guided by Chief Engineer Hiroyuki Koba’s vision “Response, Linearity and Consistency” the driving dynamics have been deliberately benchmarked on the precision and control experienced at the wheel of a modern C-segment hatchback, thanks to the refinement of the TNGA platform and its low centre of gravity.
The aim was to allow the Toyota C-HR to carry its speed through corners, with excellent body control and steering fluidity. Toyota C-HR is designed not only to be enjoyable when flowing through busy city traffic but also on the open road independent of the surface condition.
Toyota C-HR: A Coupe-like Design
The Toyota C-HR introduces a distinctive styling featuring a body with a diamond architectural theme with wheel arches projecting prominently at all four corners to emphasise the new crossover’s strength and rigidity. The Toyota C-HR’s modulated structure combines the powerful lower body and raised ground clearance with the slim and sleek cabin profile of a coupe.
The front represents a further development of Toyota’s Under Priority and Keen Look design identity. The slender upper grille flows from the Toyota emblem into the sleek, aggressive wing extremities of the headlamp clusters and wraps fully around the front corners of the vehicle.
The lamp clusters incorporate full LED lighting with light guides and sequential turn signals, giving the Toyota C-HR its own unique visual signature. Below, the enhanced three-dimensionality of the bumper that’s integrated with the wheel flairs and the trapezoidal lower grille architecture reinforce the Toyota C-HR’s wide, firmly planted stance.
The movement of the blacked out rocker panel towards the front and rear wheel, along with the shoulder axis that runs through to the front and rear emphasize the fast-looking, “lift-up” feel of the thin body. The Toyota C-HR’s coupe-like styling is further enhanced by disguised rear door handles integrated within the C pillar, and the powerful projection of the sweeping roofline into a large, skeletal frame rear spoiler.
To the rear, the strongly tapered cabin integrates the back door while securing luggage space. This contrasts with the pronounced flaring of the wheel arches to give the new crossover a wide and extremely powerful stance. Standing proud of the tapering body work, prominent rear light clusters may also be equipped with LED lamp technology to give the Toyota C-HR an equally expressive rear light visual signature.
This car is the result of a global cooperation between design centres on three continents and was managed by Project Chief Designer Kazuhiko Isawa. The original exterior design was created by Calty, the Toyota design studio in California.
Toyota C-HR: Responsive and Frugal Powertrains
The Toyota C-HR will be equipped with two powertrains in the UK including the latest-generation full hybrid power plant: With CO2 emissions of less than 90 g/km it is unrivalled within its segment.
Delivering 122 DIN hp, this new hybrid powertrain is more efficient and lighter, and offers sharper performance than previous hybrid systems. Detailed design changes to the engine have resulted in a thermal efficiency of 40% – a world-beating performance for a petrol unit. Other hybrid system components have been made lighter and smaller, and have been repositioned for optimum packaging, further contributing to the car’s lower centre of gravity.
Alternatively, the Toyota C-HR is available with the new 115 DIN hp/85 kW 1.2 litre turbo engine, (first shown in the Auris). This will have a choice of 6-speed manual gearbox or a Continuously Variable automatic Transmission system, which is developed to meet expectations in response and direct feel for European customers familiar with manual and automatic gearboxes. The CVT is available in front-wheel or 4-wheel drive versions. A 2.0-litre CVT-only model will also be available but only for certain markets, (not for UK).
Toyota CH-R: pictures from the Geneva motor show
Our photographer was on hand at the Geneva motor show to take some great photographs of the Toyota C-HR as it was unveiled.
See the moment the Toyota C-HR was unveiled at the Geneva motor show.
The front of the Toyota C-HR shows the further development of the Toyota Under Priority and Keen Look design identity.
Toyota C-HR stands for Coupe-High Rider, again highlighting its sleek, crossover design.
The Toyota C-HR will be built at Toyota Motor Manufacturing Turkey, while the hybrid powertrain will be produced at Toyota Manufacturing UK’s engine plant in Deeside, North Wales.
Toyota C-HR Dimensions
The Toyota C-HR sits in the heart of the C-Crossover segment. What this means is that the Toyota C-HR is just 4cm shorter than the previous generation RAV4 and longer than the Honda HR-V, Mazda CX-3 and Nissan Juke.
Overall length 4350mm
Overall width 1795mm
Overall height 1565mm (Hybrid = 1555)
Wheelbase 2640mm
All information is correct at the time of publishing
In dealerships end of year – start or end of Q4? Are you able to say? Interested in AWD only, glad to see manual gearboxes still, shame no hybrid in AWD though … Car looks just what I want to replace what has been a great car since new – 2006 RAV4 xt4
Hi Joanne,
Thank you for your post and interest about Toyota C-HR. Unfortunately we are unable to confirm when C-HR will appear in dealerships. However keep an eye on our blog for all the latest news and features. Many thanks.
It is clear that this new model has failed to meet quality/production targets.
I like many others were looking forward to ordering for 2016 delivery.
I now feel that the ongoing saga of this Toyota fails to inspire.
Will have to disappoint my wife & find an alternative for her December birthday!
good luck to all of you that are waiting.
Hi Anthony. Thanks for getting in touch, and we apologise for the delay in response. C-HR will be with us by Autumn 2016. You can sign up for the latest news regarding it, here: po.st/ToyotaCHR. Thank you again.
We’re sorry you feel that way Derrick, but we have to disagree. The final production model is very close to the concept, save for a few differences to ensure it is legal on the road. We take a look at these differences here: po.st/SsAhnx. We hope you’ll still consider giving the C-HR a test drive when it’s available. It would be a shame for you to write it off on looks alone.
What a waste of a nice design. No 4wd and a weak engine with the top model only having 122bhp. As a previous Rav buyer (when it used to be known as the GTi off roader), it just shows how low Toyota have sunk and how far out of touch they are with the UK market that wants performance with green credentials not just green. Tesla have it right, 0-62 in 2.9 secs from a totally electric car.
Even more direct competitors such as VW are building cars such as the Tiguan with engine choices ranging from 140 bhp at the low end through 190, 220 and 240bhp (forthcoming Tiguan Biturbo). The forthcoming Tiguan hybrid GTE is rumoured to be 220bhp.
Another point on the styling, I’m not sure what is different but whilst the concept / show pictures look fantastic but the actual car looks terrible by comparison on the road.
Been some styling tweeks for the road?
Two things that immediately stand out are the massive reduction in wheel size, the loss of those wonderful concept wheels and the move from led running lights in the vent scoop to round projectors in the valance.
Takes the design quality massively backwards.
Hi Michael,
C-HR is an affordable vehicle, the Hybrid power train has been tweaked to provide a more dynamic driving experience and design is subjective. We’ve had thousands of potential customers showing a solid interest in the vehicle. We will pass your feedback on to our team. Many thanks!