Stylish fast charger can go the distance
Toyota’s plug-in hybrid has the legs to get you home, says Steven Chisholm
The CH-R is an interesting proposition, offering some of the perceived benefits of the C-segmentSUVlikeraisedride height, comfort and visibility, yet prioritising cutting-edge style, aerodynamics and great driving experience over practicality.
The 41-mile EV-only range means the C-HR joins the growing ranks of plug-in hybrid models with long enough range figures to offer a serious alternative to all-electric cars for drivers that value the flexibility of a petrol engine as back up. Charger availability permitting, of course.
An 80 per cent charge can be achieved in around an hour via the 8KWh onboard charging capability – twice the speed of the Prius PHEV thanks to a twin charger set up.
The advantage of a plug-in hybrid of course, is the ability to balance EV-only capability with the long-range flexibility of internal combustion. Toyota’s Predictive Efficient Drive system uses geofencing technology to give customers the ability to ensure the battery is saved for the parts of the drive where the driver will get the most benefit.
The transmission between EV-only driving and petrol-powered combustion is almost imperceptible in most settings, the engine only becoming noticeable under duress when overtaking or navigating a relatively steep incline.
With 220 bhp at its disposal, the plug-in C-HR is the most powerful in the range through the combination of its 2.0-litre petrol engine and the 13.6 KWh electric motor providing power through the front axle. Pleasantly gutsy on the more rural segments of our test route where we managed to clear traffic long enough to put our foot down, nought to 62mph is achievable in 7.4 seconds, which is 0.8 seconds faster than the HEV.
More pleasant still was the handling. With improved brakes, double wishbone rear suspension and a low centre of gravity thanks, in part, to the added weight of the batteries in the floor pan, the C-HR was a delight on the meandering hillside roads surrounding the outskirts of Marseilles. During urban driving, the light steering felt agile as we negotiated warrens of narrow streets double-lined with small hatchbacks, scooters parked end-on and two-box vans abandoned at all sorts of mad angles.
Rear leg and head room felt a little cramped, the sloping roofline eating into headspace, despite the more open feeling affordedbythelargepanoramic sunroof in our test car. The front seat space, however, feels more spacious and comfortable, the cabin well planned out, light and airy.
Toyota sticks with physical controls for the air conditioning, with media and infotainment functions handled via the wide-screen touch-screen interface. All driving data comesviatheheads-updisplay and digital instrument cluster, which crams an almost overwhelming amount of information into a small screen and takes a little time to get used to.
Since its introduction, competition in the segment has only grown fiercer, but the 2024 model puts the CHR right out in front again as a choice for the style-conscious buyer not ready to give up driving thrills in favour of extra head room.