1st Toyota C-HR
Hybrid drive and revisions in the right places put the Toyota ahead of its French rival
THE 2.0-litre Toyota C-HR hybrid isn’t simply the 1.8-litre version with a larger petrol engine bolted into place. Higher thermal efficiency makes the most of the fuel that goes in, and new battery tech boosts economy even further. This really is the headline figure for the C-HR, especially in comparison to the 1.6-litre petrol 3008: we recorded a figure of 44.1mpg when testing the Toyota, while the Peugeot only returned 31. 2mpg.
This isn’t the only advantage the Toyota has, because the Japanese car also rides and handles much better than the Peugeot. Its TNGA platform features MacPherson struts at the front and double wishbones at the rear, which is a more complex set-up than the torsion beam used in the 3008.
Its advantages are fully evident when you get behind the wheel, because the C-HR rides very smoothly. It deals with low-speed bumps well and it’s perfect for driving in town – not only because potholes are kept at bay, but also because the electric motor alone drives the car at low speeds, so it’s ultra-quiet. The 2.0-litre engine isn’t as subdued as the 1.8 when it kicks in to charge the batteries, but it’s still quieter than the 1.6 in the 3008. Get up to speed and the suspension is even more impressive, dealing with mid-corner bumps well and keeping the car composed on fast roads.
The C-HR is one of the best-handling cars in its class, with well weighted steering, lots of grip and plenty of performance. In our tests the Toyota went from 0-60mph in 8.1 seconds, which was the same as the 3008. However, the C-HR’s electric motor means it feels more responsive at lower speeds, while the Peugeot feels quicker at higher speeds.
The C-HR uses a CVT gearbox, so it’s not possible to record in-gear figures. It went from 30-50mph in 3.1 seconds, while the 3008 took 2.8 seconds through the gears. The Peugeot was quicker from 30-70mph, too, with a time of 7.3 seconds, compared to the Toyota’s 7.7 seconds. While the two cars are closely matched for performance, the Toyota is much more composed, comfortable and refined, so the driving experience is ahead of its French rival’s.
The other significant change for 2020 is the addition of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto to the infotainment system. This means you can bypass the built-in system, which is frustrating to use, although the same can be said of the 3008’s. The Toyota can’t match its rival for interior quality; the materials look cheap in places, yet build quality is excellent.
Standard kit on the C-HR Dynamic includes 18-inch alloy wheels, blind-spot assist, LED lights, heated seats, keyless go and metallic paint.
DRIVING
THE CVT gearbox in the C-HR still causes the engine to drone above half throttle, but the soundproofing in the Toyota is better than ever, and the engine is quieter than wind and road noise at motorway speeds.
ENGINE The 2.0-litre unit is smooth on the move, but it vibrates the car when running at idle. The electric motor delivers silent, punchy performance around town, while the transition between power sources is seamless.
PRACTICALITY
THIS is the C-HR’s weak point. Its back seats are more cramped than the 3008’s, and while there’s enough legroom for adults, headroom is limited by the car’s sloping roofline.
BOOT SPACE There’s a 358-litre load area with the seats up, but the 3008 has 520 litres available. Still, while the Peugeot has the greater cargo volume, the C-HR has enough room for most everyday uses, such as shopping.
RUNNING COSTS
FUEL economy is one of the C-HR Hybrid’s best aspects, and on test it returned 44.1mpg. The 3008 returned 31. 2mpg, because its non-hybrid petrol and auto gearbox have to use lots of fuel to power a big, heavy SUV.
ECONOMY Based on our figures, you can expect an annual fuel spend of £1,559 in the Toyota and £2,203 in the Peugeot. Hybrid drive means low emissions for the C-HR and, at 92g/km, it sits in the 22 per cent bracket for Benefit-in-Kind (BiK) tax, while the 3008 emits 128g/km and sits in the 29 per cent bracket. This means the Toyota costs £1,395 in tax at the standard rate, while the Peugeot costs £1,893 for the same company user.
INTERIOR & TECHNOLOGY
BUILD quality in the C-HR’s cabin is excellent, and there are some good-looking materials, but it’s nowhere near as stylish or impressive as the 3008’s interior.
INFOTAINMENT As in its rival, the menus are overly complicated and the screen isn’t very responsive to the touch, but the C-HR also has a less intuitive sat-nav than the 3008. At least smartphone connectivity allows you to bypass it completely.
OWNERSHIP
WITH a standard five-year warranty, the Toyota should prove very reliable. The brand scored well in our Driver Power 2019 survey, finishing 10th, but Peugeot was only just behind in 12th place.
SAFETY The C-HR Dynamic comes with parking sensors, a rear camera, lane assist, adaptive cruise, traffic-sign recognition, blind-spot monitoring and AEB as standard.