Crossover aimed at young adults
The 2018 Toyota C-HR is that manufacturer’s answer to the perplexing question of what today’s young buyers want in a vehicle.
It’s no secret that car companies want to put you behind the wheel every stage of your life. A customer happy with their first car is more likely to choose one from the same manufacturer for the next.
Getting young buyers into that first car is the key.
Those buyers can afford to be picky — as there are a lot of choices out there — so manufacturers have upped their game of late, with the latest being the C-HR.
The C-HR stands for Compact High Rider. It will be the smaller sibling to the Recreation Active Vehicle with four-wheel drive (better known to you as the RAV4).
The name is telling, to a degree. The sedans in Toyota’s lineup — the Corolla, Camry, etc. — all have names, not three-letter acronyms. That tags the new vehicle as a SUV/crossover in Toyota’s lineup.
Looking at the vehicle, it is immediately obvious that this is not a shrunken RAV4, with its boxy silhouette. The C-HR is much more coupe-like, with lines that camouflage the rear door handles. Yes, this is a four-door. Although young single people are still buying two-door coupes, the market has shifted with the proliferation of SUV/crossovers. People are buying into the idea of a vehicle as part of an active lifestyle.
They need a vehicle that can carry their bicycles, surfboards, skis, paddleboards, hockey gear and other sports paraphernalia.
They need a useable back seat for friends now, and room for a baby seat in the future. The C-HR ticks off all the above boxes.
Major competitors in the subcompact crossover segment include the Nissan Juke, Honda HR-V and Mazda CX-3.
The C-HR, which starts at $24,690, is available in a base, XLE and XLE Premium trim levels. I drove the top-of the line model with a two-tone paint job.
The latter adds a playful aura to the C-HR, setting it apart from the traditional monochromatic paint schemes. It may not make the car go faster or make it more fuel-efficient, but it can put a smile on a face (though that is perhaps just me).
Buyers can choose between three twotone combinations and six solid colours. Regardless of the exterior, the interior is only available with a black fabric interior.
The cockpit is certainly more conventional than the body, with a no-nonsense dash, the obligatory seven-inch infotainment screen with vents sandwiched between the climate controls beneath.
The odd feature is the screen for the back-up camera is not on the regular screen on the dash, but regaled to a portion of the rear-view mirror. While not unique, it takes a little time to get used to, as my eye automatically goes to the dash when backing up.
For a vehicle squarely aimed at millennials, the exclusion of Apple AirPlay and Android Auto is even more perplexing. Granted, they can still hook up their smartphone using Bluetooth, but it is hardly the cutting edge image I imagine Toyota wants to impart.
The C-HR softens its hard plastic surfaces with strategically placed soft materials. To their credit, the panels are embossed to add texture and look durable, giving the vehicle a purposeful feel. Bonus marks for a leatherwrapped steering wheel.
As a subcompact, the rear passengers may be less than happy if the front occupants are tall. The outside view is also compromised by the upsweep of the wide C-pillar. Keep in mind that the back seats of the Juke, HR-V and CX-3 are comparable.
There is only one powertrain option — a 2.0-litre four-cylinder mated to a continuously variable transmission.
The naturally aspirated four puts out a respectable 144 horsepower and 139 foot-pounds of torque, landing it smack in the middle of the horsepower wars between the Honda and Mazda. Enthusiasts would naturally be drawn to the Nissan, for its more powerful, turbocharged engine.
The powertrain does have a Sport mode, which does liven things up a bit.
The biggest surprise isn’t what’s on the mechanical list, but what is missing — especially for Canada.
The HR-V is only available with front-wheel drive, with no all-wheeldrive option, unlike all of its competition. Its exclusion might or might not be a deal-breaker, but only time will tell if this is a misstep or a smart move on Toyota’s part.
As if to compensate, Toyota does equip the C-HR with a pre-collision system with pedestrian detection, lanedeparture alert and an adaptive cruise control.
The optional premium package includes rear cross-traffic alert and a blind-spot monitoring system into the safety mix.
With a $24,690 price for the base (my tester, with options, was $26,830) the 2018 C-HR costs more than the Nissan Juke and Mazda CX-3 (for the 2017 models). It justifies its price premium based on a more comprehensive suite of standard features.
But only time will tell if the omission of AWD and, to a lesser degree, the lack of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, will hold it back in this fast-growing segment.
THE SPEC SHEET
Type: Subcompact crossover, front engine, front-wheel drive Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder, 144 hp at 6,100 r.p.m., 139 lb.-ft. of torque at 3,800 Transmission: CVT Dimensions (mm): Length, 4,350; width, 1,797; height, 1,565; wheelbase, 2,640 Curb weight (kg): 1,497 Price (base/as tested): $24,690/ $28,690 (includes $1,760 freight and PDI and $100 AC tax) Options: Premium package $1,600, two-tone paint $540 Tires: 225/50 R18 on alloy wheels Fuel type: Regular Fuel economy (L/100km): 8.7 city/ 7.5 highway Warranty: Three years/60,000 km new car, five years/100,000 km powertrain