2021 Toyota C-HR review: Standing out at the back of the pack

With its wild styling and youthful vibe, I can see how you’d feel the Toyota C-HR may possibly be a exciting minor runabout. But really, this subcompact crossover was by no means meant to be anything extra than an cost-effective equipment, and it does not even really excel in the most standard classes, possibly.

The C-HR is driven by a 2.-liter I4 making a hundred and forty four horsepower and 139 pound-feet of torque. That engine is paired with a continuously variable transmission that triggers the I4 to really drone below acceleration, though it does assistance the C-HR return EPA-estimated fuel economy ratings of 27 miles for every gallon city, 31 mpg highway and 29 mpg mixed. Even so, very good as that seems, the Honda HR-V, Hyundai Location, Mazda CX-three and Nissan Kicks all beat that number the Nissan can extend to an extraordinary 36 mpg highway.

There is just not a lot get-up-and-go in the C-HR’s powertrain, even in Activity manner, which is accessed through the TFT display in the gauge cluster. This changes the transmission mapping to have it behave extra like a regular computerized, with “upshift” sensations that maintain the engine revving lower. This does not really assistance with sporty driving, of training course. It just attempts to make the C-HR extra fuel-productive.

Like other subcompact crossovers, the Toyota C-HR is only readily available with front-wheel travel. If you want all-wheel-travel functionality, verify out the Honda HR-V or Mazda CX-three. The C-HR is perfectly comfortable and proficient on smooth pavement, and it’s going to take care of the occasional bump with poise. But this issue is rarely exciting to travel, with vague steering and sloppy handling. Combined with the dreadful CVT, the C-HR is a overall dud powering the wheel.

The very good information is that driver-aid technological innovation receives a increase for 2021. All C-HR trims get Toyota’s Protection Perception 2.5 suite as standard. This pack features lane-departure warning, highway signal guide, ahead-collision warning, lane-tracing guide and entire-speed adaptive cruise regulate. Blind-spot checking is standard on all but the foundation LE trim. Toyota usually does a wonderful career of offering a significant number of driving aids on its entire variety of vehicles, and this provides a ton of value to the C-HR, though it would seem odd that blind-spot checking would be left off the standard equipment record when anything else is bundled.

Unfortunately, Toyota’s Entune infotainment is 1 of Roadshow’s minimum favourite systems, with a clunky interface and dated graphics. Apple CarPlay and Android Automobile are standard, which allows, but 1 supremely disappointing element is the fuzzy, lower-res backup camera. Appear on, Toyota, backup cameras are rarely new, and they have been a federally mandated piece of safety equipment for a few years now. That display screen must be crystal-clear. I should not have to guess if that’s a bush or a sack of groceries powering me. More, be prepared to duke it out with your passengers over charging ports. There is only 1 USB-A and 1 twelve-volt outlet in the front. Rear-seat passengers are SOL.

Speaking of the backseat, it is not not comfortable. With the front seat established for my 5-foot, 9-inch driving place, I however have some house among my knees and the seat again, and a great deal of headroom as effectively. My only criticism is that the uptick in the rear window will make for a really higher beltline, which will make the rear compartment sense dark and extra cramped than it really is.

You will find a ton of affordable plastic in here, but the doors have some fascinating diamond-sample texture that’s echoed in the fabric seats, and the fake-leather sprint is basically very wonderful. My Nightshade trim has a leather-wrapped steering wheel, though the controls are oddly slanted at an angle.

The C-HR’s cargo potential is underneath typical for the course, with 19.1 cubic feet powering the rear seats and 37 cubic feet all round. Individuals needing loads of house would do effectively to verify out the Honda HR-V, which has as a lot as 58.8 cubic feet of house with its again seats folded.

Amazing as the exterior style is, I can see how it may possibly place some folks off. Even I from time to time look at it and feel of Coco Chanel’s notorious line, “Right before you go away the house, look in the mirror and get 1 issue off.” Maybe the C-HR would look greater without so quite a few physique creases. Or probably it is all those bulging rear fenders. It’s all a little bit a lot. I do like the Nightshade trim, though, which is new for 2021. My shiny crimson tester has a contrasting black roof and black trim, with distinctive 18-inch wheels.

The C-HR is priced increased than quite a few of its rivals, at $22,620 which include $1,175 for location. The sweet spot in the variety is the midlevel XLE that receives you a proximity vital and blind-spot checking and expenses $24,655. The Nightshade observed here raises that MSRP slightly, to $25,420.

In the conclusion, the C-HR does not really excel at any 1 issue, aside from acquiring loads of driver-aid tech standard. But even then, it is extra high-priced, worse to travel, a lot less roomy and not as productive as its rivals. If all you treatment about is standout styling, then the C-HR may possibly be your jam. If not, this subcompact CUV stays a difficult 1 to advise.