NEW TOYOTA C-HR

Upon first acquaintance, you’d be forgiven for thinking the C-HR is a niche offering but the reality is quite different. The first generation truly outperformed with sales (from 2017) exceeding 1.5 million, making the C-HR the envy of other mainstream manufacturers. Such demand meant Toyota committed to this second-generation hybrid model early in the piece.

It’s fair to describe the CH-R as a Euro-focused model, with the dramatic styling largely attributed to Toyota’s French studio and engineering development carried out in Belgium. The nose incorporates Toyota’s new ‘hammerhead’ face, first introduced on the new Prius, and the sculpted tailgate and full-width rear light bar accentuate the car’s extra width. Wider tracks improve handling and give the new C-HR a better stance.

As is often the case, you pay a premium for prioritising form over pure utility. By comparison, a Corolla Cross is 100mm longer, offers superior rear seat space and comfort, and starts at $3000 less. The CH-R we drove in Limited spec costs $52,990 and stands out with its 19-inch alloys, four-lens LED headlights and highly equipped cabin. Seats are upholstered in synthetic leather and are supportive yet comfortable over distance with a broad range of electric adjustment. There’s a large 12.3in central screen, a digital instrument display of the same size, plus a head-up display and upgraded JBL audio.

The automatic parking function is deeply impressive in many scenarios and ought to preserve both driver pride and wheel rims. In addition, the Toyota Safety Sense features are comprehensive for great security and peace of mind. Auto boot closing and locking is another appealing feature while flush-fitting door latches that open outwards and retract automatically (and loudly) are standard across the range.

The 1.8-litre petrol motor and lithium-ion battery combine for strong, torquey getaways and the hybrid system is always hunting for regeneration opportunities. We got in the habit of selecting B mode on the transmission to increase regenerative braking in favourable circumstances. You can get a brief stutter as things hook up when taking off but thereafter it’s smooth and mostly quiet sailing with some familiar droning under load and gruffness when you put the boot in. However this CH-R feels engaging enough to keep you interested on mundane drives and just sporty enough to entertain when fast, flowing roads beckon. Its blend of composure in bends, stability on wind-blown motorways and general refinement is laudable.

Some compromises can still found in the rear compartment. This CH-R retains a 2640mm wheelbase but is a fraction shorter than the original so don’t expect big packaging improvements. A panoramic roof actually improves headroom and rear window cut-outs slightly improve outward visibility in a very high-waisted design. Predictably, the absence of a rear wiper proved a bit of a bugbear in cold and wet weather.

As for the sporting GR treatment, we subsequently found it brought out the best in the new C-HR with slightly more imposing looks, more assertive responses and more traction from all-wheel drive. For the keen driver, it’s definitely the way to go, as it tightens up the suspension and brings welcome weight to the steering without corrupting ride comfort. The GRS we drove also sported two-tone paint for the roof and rear panels. The contrast on our red and black test car was eye-catching and effective; we recommend it as a cosmetic option if you want to stand out further from the compact SUV crowd.