Toyota C-HR (2023 - )

It would seem modern car designers are far more conservative in their approach with so many models on our roads looking almost identical these days. So, it’s always welcome news when some flair, imagination and adventure is thrown at a model. And that’s exactly the case with the Toyota C-HR, which is now in its second generation.

Boasting a sporty coupe design, the five-door model is guaranteed to get noticed wherever it passes and for good reason too, as it really does stand out from the crowd thanks to its sloping roofline and thoroughly modern looks.

Customers can choose from trims called Icon, Design, GR Sport and Excel in the C-HR line-up, along with full hybrid and plug-in hybrid powertrains that have just been joined by a fully electrified C-HR+ version.

We opted for the full hybrid C-HR HEV for our test in the Design grade. While most test reviews are based on a week-long loan or limited to just a few hours driving on a launch event, we had the pleasure of fully experiencing the C-HR over a four-month loan, so were able to explore the vehicle in depth … it didn’t disappoint.

Powering our front-wheel drive Toyota C-HR was a punchy 1.8-litre petrol engine alongside an electric motor that delivers a combined 138bhp and 142Nm of torque. It could sprint to 62mph from a standing start in 10.2 seconds with a top speed of 106mph. While there are faster rivals out there, it’s the all-round package of the C-HR that really impresses. By that we mean it remains refined with a relatively quiet cabin even at higher speeds, and most bumps and dips are smoothed out by the highly effective suspension set-up.

The e-CVT transmission delivers smooth and responsive acceleration with ample power on tap for an added burst of pace to overtake slower vehicles or join a fast-moving motorway. And, with its low centre of gravity, the C-HR is confident and well-grounded when pushed hard through sweeping bends on quieter country lanes.

There are drive modes called Custom, Sport, Normal and Eco which alter the dynamics accordingly, plus a B mode on the gear shifter that will strengthen the level of regenerative braking when you lift off the accelerator. This helps to recoup energy that would otherwise be lost and boosts the battery in the process.

There is an EV button which allows the driver to switch over to the car’s electric power and drive with zero emissions, although there needs to be enough battery charge for this to be achieved.

The C-HR is nimble and easy to manoeuvre in busier towns and villages and, with the nicely weighted steering, weaving though the busy traffic along with parking is made all the easier.

The driver visibility forwards and sideways is excellent, but the narrow rear screen does hinder the rearview vision slightly. But that is the price you pay on any coupe-styled model due to its sloping roofline.

The Toyota C-HR is a great looking five-door coupe with a stand-out sporty design that still covers practicality needs well. It oozes charm when viewed from any angle thanks to its coupe-like silhouette with flush door handles, tinted rear windows, narrow signature daytime running lights, rear combination lights, a black contrast roof and striking 18-inch alloy wheels.

The interior is clutter-free, modern and offers a nice mix of physical and touchscreen controls. The cloth seat upholstery looks and feels high-end and, with plenty of manual seat and steering wheel adjustment, getting a comfy driving position takes just seconds.

The main nerve centre of the car is a 12.3-inch infotainment screen with sharp graphics and this offers easy access to the on-board technology, which includes a built-in navigation system, full smartphone connectivity via Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, a six-speaker audio, DAB radio, Bluetooth and lots more besides.

Behind the steering wheel, the driver display shows all the important numbers, such as speed and the fluctuating battery levels on this self-charging car.

Other creature comforts include heated seats, which are always appreciated on those cold, wintry mornings, plus a separate panel for all the climate control settings.

Everything is perfectly-positioned for ease of use in this well designed and practical cabin that boasts plenty of tech, but is anything but over-complicated.

The Toyota C-HR is a five-door compact crossover that’s big on style and also covers practicality bases well. It stretches 4,362mm in length, is 1,832mm wide and 1,564mm tall with a 2,640mm wheelbase. Up front, there’s bundles of space for a couple of tall adults to sit comfortably and, provided the front seats are not pushed too far back, a couple more will be fine in the back for shorter journeys. 

Ideally though, the rear space is best suited to youngsters (or in our case a cockapoo) without any complaints. The slightly elevated seating will also make it easier to reach a child seat and there are Isofix anchors on the outer rear seats.

The boot is accessed via a powered tailgate and can hold 388 litres of luggage, which is ample space for the weekly supermarket shop or several overnight cases. Drop the 60:40 split-folding rear seats and that capacity grows further offering enough room for a trip to Ikea for some flatpack fun.

Additionally, there are plenty of convenient storage compartments scattered throughout the car, including a glovebox, door bins, a central cubby, front cup holders with two more in the rear doors, a wireless charging pad, plus some trays. And devices can be kept connected and charged via the USB-C ports inside the car.

With the recent launch of the fully-electrified C-HR+ model, would-be customers now have hybrid, plug-in hybrid and electric powertrains to choose from.

The 2026 HEV line-up costs from £31,645 for the Icon trim increasing to £39,685 for the GR Sport. The plug-in hybrid C-HR ranges from £39,155 to £43,860, while the CH-R+ EV starts at £34,495 and rises to £40,995 for the high-end Excel version.

Our test car, the C-HR HEV in Design trim was priced at £35,045, but like all Toyota models, it came fully kitted out so there was no need to go searching for optional extras. In fact, the only additional charge on our vehicle was the upgraded Pure White Bi-tone solid paint that cost £350.

Day-to-day running costs impress with a WLTP-tested combined fuel figure of 60.1mpg and carbon emissions of 105g/km. During our three months we have been seeing about 58mpg which is not far off the official figure and that has been achieved across a range of driving routes, including motorways, more rural country lanes and some busy city ventures.

The carbon emissions figure of 105g/km would result in a first-year road tax bill of £405 dropping to the standard annual fee of £200 after 12 months (based on the April 2026 prices). 

Anyone considering the C-HR, as tested, as a business vehicle will see a Benefit in Kind tax rating of 27 per cent. And there will be no concerns over an Expensive Car Supplement as all models fall well below the government’s new 2026/27 threshold of £50,000. 

Toyota offers an excellent warranty package too with customers able to extend the basic three-year, 60,000-mile cover to 10 years or 100,000 miles free of charge, provided regular services are carried out at an authorised Toyota workshop.

With so many cars looking like they have been cloned these days, it’s refreshing to see a manufacturer show a little more adventure and that’s the case with the latest generation C-HR. It looks stylish, is packed with tech, drives beautifully and has a powertrain to suit all needs.

Additionally, the generous line-up of trims means there will be a model to meet all budgets, with all cars packed with safety features that helped it achieve a maximum five-star Euro NCAP safety rating.