Toyota C-HR
SECOND REPORT Surprisingly agile crossover has brought out the racing driver in us
PEOPLE really don’t like to compromise. But when picking a new car we’re so often forced to choose whether we want style or practicality, performance or low running costs. Budget is a big factor, too; is added kit a bigger boon than a lower list price and reduced monthly payments?
However, as our time with the Toyota C-HR goes on, we’re realising it’s a car of many talents. While few crossovers can claim to be truly fun to drive, our SUV has proven very capable during its first four months on the Auto Express fleet.
This is partly because the C-HR is based on the latest TNGA (Toyota New Global Architecture) platform, which also underpins the excellent hybrid Prius family car. Despite the raised suspension and chunky shape, this is an agile, grippy and surprisingly entertaining crossover to drive.
The C-HR steers sweetly, and body control is good. And while it won’t win any drag races, the 1.2-litre turbo petrol engine feels punchy through the gears. It can be short on response if you let the motor bog down in lower revs, but place the C-HR in its hidden Sport setting and this becomes less of a problem.
This is a feature we conveniently stumbled across when playing with the SUV’S trip settings on a recent jaunt to Suffolk. Deep within the C-HR’S onboard computer there’s a section that controls the three drive modes. Each time you start the engine, the Toyota flicks back to its default Normal setting – but explore things further and you’re also presented with a pair of presets called ‘Eco’ and ‘Sport’.
The former is best avoided, because it dulls the car’s responses and makes it rather sluggish. In Sport mode, however, the C-HR feels sharper and more urgent.
Yet aside from the slightly spikier throttle, the crossover’s grown-up driving manners remain intact. It’s certainly more fun than a Nissan Qashqai or Renault Kadjar, and runs the class-leading SEAT Ateca pretty close, too. While not immediately obvious, it’s proof, if it were needed, that there’s a sliver of racing driver in all of us.
So those tempted by the increasing desirability of crossovers no longer have to compromise with a flabby or soft SUV. In fact, buyers after a fine-handling family car could do worse than take a test drive in the sharp, smartly-styled C-HR.
Along some of Suffolk’s finest B-roads on our recent trip, the Toyota handled brilliantly – quickly inspiring confidence from behind the wheel.
It’s quiet on the motorway, too, with very little in the way of wind, engine or road noise. The long sixth gear means it settles down nicely at 70mph, while our car’s adaptive cruise control system takes some of the strain out of longer journeys. On our run back to London on the A12, we managed almost 48mpg.
The seats are comfortable and nicely supportive, and while the contrasting black and brown trim isn’t to my taste, it certainly helps the car stand out.
The big central touchscreen looks dated alongside the systems from SEAT or VW, but it’s easy enough to navigate. I’m finding it no trouble swiping through my saved radio stations, plus friends and colleagues have often commented on how clear the call quality is from the built-in Bluetooth set-up.
Another plus point for the C-HR during the recent hot weather has been its ice-cold climate control. It’s proven invaluable on longer trips as temperatures have frequently risen close to 30 degrees Celsius of late. The ‘Fast’ setting lowers the cabin temperature in no time – even after the car has been sitting for several hours in direct sunlight.
We’re still suffering from the car’s poor urban fuel economy, however. It does seem to be improving, but because much of my commute is spent in heavy city traffic, this stands out as our Toyota’s weakest feature.
This considered, we’ll be looking to switch our 1.2 T for a stint in the (hopefully) more efficient C-HR Hybrid version in due course.