CLASH OF THE TITANS
There’s a non-electrified version of the Toyota C-HR to take the fight straight to the Honda HR-V
WHAT’S NEW?
After testing Toyota’s flashy SUV in hybrid form earlier this year, it’s now time to get behind the wheel of the conventionally powered version.
The non-electric C-HR comes with the same E85-compatible 1.8-litre petrol engine and CVT automatic transmission as used in the Corolla Altis C-segment saloon.
There are two grades for the C-HR 1.8: Entry going for 979,000 baht and Mid, as tested here, for 1.039 million baht. The C-HR hybrid (badged HV) is being offered in Mid and High trims priced at 1.069 and 1.159 million baht accordingly.
While the HV is in a class of its own with hybrid power (see accompanying graph for technical details), the main rival for the 1.8 is none other than the Honda HR-V, coming with very similar performance credentials.
Which brings us to two questions for the 1.8: can it be the better B-segment SUV than the Honda or should you just go for the HV model?
WHAT’S COOL?
There are still many people out there who still aren’t totally convinced with hybrid technology, so the 1.8 could come to their rescue should they appreciate what the C-HR is about other than the drivetrain.
The four-cylinder petrol engine may feel a little lazy around town when you need some urgency but starts to show some glitter at higher speeds, where it has a clearer edge over the HV, if not against the Honda.
Just like in the HV, the 1.8 has a reasonably nice chassis setup. The ride is absorbent and quiet over road imperfections at urban speeds. In fact, it is probably the best in the entire B-segment class.
Then there’s the style of the C-HR itself. Although not to all tastes, the boldness it possesses surely makes the HR-V bland in comparison. The same goes for the detailing in the C-HR’s cabin, made even better with a tidy driving environment.
Making up for the not-so-cheap prices are seven airbags made standard across the C-HR’s range.
WHAT’S NOT?
Despite sitting on very similar dimensions with the HR-V, the C-HR’s exterior design makes for a claustrophobic feel for rear occupants and hampers the driver’s vision when backing up into parking spaces.
Thankfully, there’s a parking camera. Even so, the HR-V is much more resolved than the C-HR in this particular aspect.
And while the suspension has been nicely tailored for real-world driving, some of the softness the C-HR seemingly has makes the handling slightly soggy when driving fast on corners.
But the nagging thing about the 1.8 overall is the price. The HV is only 30,000 baht dearer and hugely makes up with superior fuel economy. And if you like driving aids, sat-nav and telematics, the HV can be had in High spec at an additional 90,000 baht.
BUY OR BYE?
The C-HR and HR-V score very closely to each other in terms of performance and economy, but there are some differences between them.
While the Toyota has a modern and bold design, the Honda counters with a more practical package and more attractive price in entrylevel form.
Objectively speaking, the HR-V holds the slight upper hand overall as a well-rounded B-segment SUV. The C-HR is more about emotions with its visual aesthetics.
But if that’s really the case, it might just be better to settle for the C-HR in hybrid form because it has more merits than the 1.8 at just a small premium. After all, this is basically a million baht vehicle we’re talking about.