Toyota had something of an image problem up until a few years ago. Its cars were as reliable as anything, and many boasted a superlative fuel economy as well—but they were far from fashionable.
But then along came the second-generation Toyota CH-R, with its unapologetically eccentric coupé-inspired styling—and suddenly the brand was enjoying renewed popularity as a whole new audience perceived its cars as more techy, more spacious—and fundamentally more fun.
The CH-R is pretty much the same size as its primary competitors in the small SUV class, namely the SEAT Ateca and Škoda Karoq, although its jaunty aesthetic is more reminiscent of the slightly more diminutive Nissan Juke. It’s not cheap, though—in fact its price ranges well into that of the BMW X1 and Volvo XC40. That’s partly because it’s available with hybrid engines, also the flipside of that fact is that the CH-R delivers impressive low CO2 emissions and an impressive fuel economy.
Equipment, options and extras
The Toyota CH-R’s entry-level Icon trim comes with all the essentials you need, including keyless entry, climate control, LED headlights and adaptive cruise control. Perhaps the only (minor) downside is that its infotainment touchscreen is smaller than that available with the other trims. That’s why our favourite is the Design, which has not only a bigger touchscreen but also heated front seats, ambient interior lighting, additional parking aids, a fully digital driver display, and greater scope for personalisation—including the option to have a black roof. The higher trims bring more equipment, but we can’t recommend them as they push the C-HR well into the territory of larger cars like the Volvo XC40 and Land Rover Range Rover Evoque.
Costs, insurance groups, mpg and CO2
The Toyota C-HR isn’t particularly cheap as a cash buy, especially compared to the entry-level versions of its competitors the SEAT Ateca and Škoda Karoq. In fact, the C-HR’s more expensive trim levels creep into the terrain of bigger premium-badged alternatives like the BMW X1 and Volvo XC40.
All of that being said, the C-HR is cheaper to run as a company car than most of its rivals by virtue of its low CO2 emissions. It also boasts an impressive fuel economy, especially in its hybrid forms.
Safety and security
All versions of the Toyota C-HR come with a good amount of safety kit as standard, including road sign assist, blind spot monitoring, lane departure warning, automatic emergency braking, and automatic high-beam assist for the headlights. If you opt for the Design trim you’ll enjoy even more peace of mind because of its rear cross-traffic alert. The Excel and range-topping Premiere Edition trims come with front cross-traffic alert and a driver monitoring camera, and both of these features are available as options with the GR Sport trim.
Reliability
The Toyota C-HR comes with a 3-year warranty, and as long as you get it serviced annually at a Toyota dealer it will be extended automatically to up to 10 years or 100,000 miles, whichever comes first.
The Car Planet verdict
Despite facing competition from cheaper and more practical alternatives, the Toyota C-HR is frugal, comfortable, and easy to drive, and its Design trim in particular represents excellent value for money. Car Planet are experts in used cars in Watford and Hertfordshire. Our virtual viewings mean you can check out a car from the comfort of your own home, or you can come in and view our cars in person. Every car goes through a thorough 150-point check to ensure it’s totally roadworthy. We’re transparent, too: we always display the details of a car’s imperfections. We care about sustainability, which is why we plant a tree for every car we sell, and we provide a 7-day money-back guarantee to any customer who isn’t absolutely satisfied with our service. With our competitive finance deals and part exchanges, you’re sure to find what you need, so check out our selection of secondhand Toyota C-HRs today and let’s get the ball rolling!
