Toyota C-HR
Toyota’s futuristic-looking SUV may be a target for Renault, but does the C-HR have enough in its armoury to see off the Arkana?
MODEL TESTED: Toyota C-HR 1.8 Hybrid Design
PRICE: £29,840 ENGINE: 1.8-litre 4cyl hybrid, 120bhp
WE’RE testing the 1.8-litre version of the Toyota C-HR SUV here, which is closely matched to the 1.6-litre hybrid Arkana. Our pictures show a model in GR Sport trim, but our verdict is based on the Design trim, which is much nearer to the Renault’s price and specification.
Design & engineering
THE C-HR uses Toyota’s New Global Architecture (TNGA) platform, so it shares parts with the Japanese manufacturer’s Corolla, Prius and RAV4 models, among others. This also means it features a clever double-wishbone rear suspension layout that contributes to the car’s smooth ride and enjoyable handling.
These days the C-HR is hybrid-only, and the combination of a 1.8-litre petrol engine with a small battery and electric motor is very familiar from other Toyota models. It uses a continuously variable transmission (CVT), just like other cars with this powertrain. This means it uses belts rather than gears to keep the engine at the optimal revs for either power or efficiency. A CVT transmission is useful and works well in hybrids like this, but tends to make the engine sound a bit strange when you put your foot down. It’s easy to drive, though: you put it in ‘D’ and go, just like any automatic gearbox.
The Toyota’s cabin is more fitting of the asking price than the Renault’s. There are more soft-touch materials in key places and although it can feel a little dark inside, the seats are excellent and the design of the dash is interesting to look at. There’s all the kit you need too, and because Toyota now offers Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity on its infotainment system, you can avoid having to use the old-fashioned built-in sat-nav.
Equipment on the Design model includes 18-inch alloys, smartphone integration, sat-nav, a reversing camera, autonomous emergency braking, park assist technology and heated front seats.
Driving
JUDGED against almost any metric, the Toyota proves to be a superior prospect to the Renault from behind the wheel. Top of the list is comfort, which is better in the C-HR on every type of road. The Toyota is more composed and quieter on the motorway than the Renault, because there’s less wind and road noise, plus the suspension is smoother over bumps.
This is even more significant on country roads and lumpy city streets because the Toyota is more comfortable there, too; it doesn’t fidget and bounce around like the Arkana over bumpy sections.
The control weights, particularly the steering, are greater than the Renault’s and are more pleasant to use as a result. The Toyota is easier to place on the road and more enjoyable to drive than the Renault, although it’s still not exactly sporty. It’s satisfying rather than fun, which is all you could really want in a family SUV like this.
The driving position is more comfortable than the Arkana’s, too. In the Renault you sit very high up, which some people prefer, but your choice there is high or very high. In the Toyota there’s a greater range of adjustment, so more people can get the seat