2024 Toyota C-HR
The first-generation C-HR Hybrid was one of the only hybrid small SUVs you could buy when it launched in late 2019, but in 2024, you are spoilt for choice.
There's the Nissan Qashqai e-Power and its unique set-up, the second-generation Kona now available with a hybrid, and the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross plug-in, not to mention this car's Toyota Corolla Cross hybrid stablemate.
Now kicking off at $42,990 before on-road costs, the new GXL is $11,275 pricier than the previous point of entry, but to be fair, the outgoing model was offered only with an 85kW/185Nm 1.2-litre turbo-petrol engine.
As for the Koba, pricing now starts at $49,990, also up by more than $11,000 compared to before.
However, the top-spec GR Sport sees the biggest jump, increasing around $16,500 to $54,990, putting it well and truly into hot hatch territory.
An affordable Toyota hybrid the 2024 C-HR is not.
To put it into perspective, the Honda HR-V e:HEV can be had for $47,000 drive-away, putting it at around the same price as the range-opening C-HR GXL, but the former is fitted with more upmarket features.
Likewise, the cost of entry into a Hyundai Kona Hybrid starts at just $36,000 before on-road costs and extends to $46,500, while the fully loaded and much more practical Nissan Qashqai Ti e-Power is $51,590.
However, it might be the Corolla Cross that gives the C-HR the most trouble, with prices ranging from $36,480 to $50,030, it's an easier sell because it feels more substantial and has a broader appeal.
Still, Toyota Australia is aware of the new C-HR's high pricing and is banking on the styling of the 'Coupe High-Rider' to appeal to young couples or empty-nesters who don't want something as dated-looking as a Corolla Cross.
To be fair, the C-HR is attention-grabbing thanks to its signature 'hammerhead' front lighting, flat nose, low roof line, and chiseled derrière.
Fun fact: It is also the first Toyota model with flush-fitting door handles!
For the money, standard equipment includes 17-inch alloy wheels, sports seats, a 7.0-inch driver's display, 12.3-inch infotainment system, six-speaker sound system, keyless entry, push-button start, and a bevy of safety systems ( more details below).
Stepping up to the Koba nets you 19-inch alloys, bi-LED headlights, heated front seats, suede interior highlights, a head-up display, 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, nine-speaker JBL sound system, wireless smartphone charger, and a powered tailgate.
As for the GR Sport, it scores a more potent powertrain, and there are also upgraded brakes, a heated steering wheel, GR floor mats and steering wheel, and aluminum scuff plates.
Three options are available to C-HR buyers, a $775 two-tone premium paint finish, a $1550 two-tone plus premium paint finish, and a $2700 two-tone plus premium paint finish with panoramic roof.
Does that sound like an equipment list to justify a near-enough $50,000 and beyond small SUV? Not to me.
You can now get full battery-electric vehicles or full-fat hot hatches for less money than the new C-HR, so you'd have to really love the styling to opt for Toyota's new small SUV over other models on the market.
Key details 2024 Toyota C-HR
Price GXL: $42,990 plus on-road costs
Koba: $49,990 plus on-road costs
GR Sport: $54,990 plus on-road costs
Options Two-tone premium paint – $775
Two-tone plus premium paint – $1550
Two-tone plus premium paint and panoramic roof – $2700
GXL drive-away price: $47,646 (VIC, before options)
Koba: $55,640 (VIC, before options)
GR Sport: $60,850 (VIC, before options)
Hyundai Kona Rivals | Honda HR-V | Toyota Corolla Cross
How big is a Toyota C-HR?
At least the cabin of the C-HR is a pleasant enough space to be.
It's a Toyota after all, so there is an abundance of hard and scratchy – albeit, hard-wearing – plastics all around, but I like how comfortable the driver feels in here thanks to sweeping door cards that draw your attention forward.
The touchpoints are also nice, with leather found on the steering wheel and shifter, and everything is laid out ergonomically and intuitively.
It's always nice to see buttons for climate controls in 2024, and the C-HR has a dual-zone set-up, while the infotainment system is large and easy to navigate.
The GR Sport flagship also gets a scattering of racier bits in the cabin, including red accenting, branded steering wheel, and aluminum scuff plates.
Storage options are plentiful, although not all that practical. You can get a large bottle in the door pocket, there's a shallow tray for your smartphone and wallet, two cupholders, and a small underarm storage cubby. You'll be able to empty your pockets in the C-HR, but it won't accommodate much else in the front row.
In the second row, though, space is a little lacking luster.
Sitting behind my driving position, I found it hard to get comfortable as there wasn't a lot of leg and head room available for my six-foot-tall (183cm) frame. In fact, if I sit back and upright, my head will foul the roof. I imagine children and smaller adults will be able to fit comfortably, but it is snug.
It's also just quite sparse in the second row. There's no fold-down center armrest, there are no air vents, there's only one back-seat map pocket, and there's no door pocket, just a shallow cupholder and storage tray built into the door cards.
And only in mid-spec Koba and flagship GR Sport grades do you get a single USB-C charging port for second-row passengers.
The funky design comes at a cost, and it is the C-HR's practicality.
Opening the boot of the front-wheel-drive C-HR variant reveals a cavity capable of swallowing 388 liters of volume, compared to 318L in the C-HR of old.
You'll still be able to fit groceries, small luggage cases and the like, but for families with a pram, you'll be better off looking at something like a Hyundai Kona or Nissan Qashqai.
The top-spec GR Sport also has a smaller boot because of the second electric motor driving the rear axle, dropping capacity down to 362L.
Fold the rear seats down and that space swells to 1155L in the GXL and Koba, and 1134L in the GR Sport, making a trip to Ikea or Bunnings a possibility, but rear boot space is not this model's forte.
2024 Toyota C-HR
Seats Five
GXL/Koba boot volume: 388L seats up
GXL/Koba: 1155L seats folded
GR Sport: 362L seats up
GR Sport: 1134L seats folded
Length 4362mm
Width 1832mm
GXL Height: 1558mm
Koba/GR Sport: 1564mm
Wheelbase 2640mm
Does the Toyota C-HR have Apple CarPlay and Android Auto?
All versions of the 2024 Toyota C-HR are equipped with a 12.3-inch multimedia touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto functionality. However, the former can be connected wirelessly, whereas the latter requires a cable.
For owners who don't want to use the smartphone mirroring feature, there is also built-in satellite navigation across the new C-HR range, as well as digital radio.
The large, widescreen display looks crisp and feels snappy when jumping around the different functions.
The Japanese brand also offers a myToyota Connect smartphone app with 12 months of free access to Connect+ and Multimedia Connect for all new C-HR buyers.
The myToyota Connect app allows access to an online service booking tool, C-HR instruction manuals, recall notices, and Ampol service station discounts.
However, remote vehicle status monitoring, remote climate-control adjustment, and a vehicle locator are walled behind the Connect+ service, which will cost customers $9.95 per month after the initial 12-month period.
The Multimedia Connect functionality is another $12.50 per month after the complimentary period ends, and allows users to set up multiple infotainment profiles, and push in-car satellite navigation to smartphones for last-mile directions.
Is the Toyota C-HR a safe car?
The 2024 Toyota C-HR is yet to be tested by ANCAP or Euro NCAP, and therefore does not have an official crash-test safety rating.
For what it's worth, Toyota has traditionally performed well in crash testing and fits a lot of required safety equipment as standard for a five-star score.
What safety technology does the Toyota C-HR have?
Despite not having a crash test score, the 2024 C-HR is fitted with a long list of safety equipment that bodes well if, or when, it is examined by ANCAP.
Each grade comes with Toyota's Safety Sense suite that bundles autonomous emergency braking (AEB) with pedestrian and cyclist detection, intersection collision avoidance, emergency steering assist, adaptive cruise control, traffic sign recognition, lane-trace assist, lane-departure warning, and automatic high beams.
Other standard active safety systems include a driver attention monitor, blind-spot monitoring, safe exit assist, rear cross-traffic alert, semi-autonomous parking, a surround-view monitor, and front and rear parking sensors.
Stepping up to the Koba and GR Sport adds adaptive high beams.
All new C-HRs are fitted with 10 airbags.
Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) Yes Includes pedestrian, cyclist, junction
Adaptive Cruise Control Yes Includes curve speed reduction
Blind Spot Alert Yes Includes Safe Exit Assist
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert Yes Alert and assist functions
Lane Assistance Yes Lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, lane-centring assist
Road Sign Recognition Yes Includes speed limit assist
Driver Attention Warning Yes Includes fatigue monitor
Cameras & Sensors Yes Front and rear sensors, 360-degree camera
How much does the Toyota C-HR cost to run?
Each new Toyota C-HR comes with a five-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty, which matches the industry standard, but trails Kia and Mitsubishi's seven- and 10-year periods respectively.
Scheduled service intervals are every 12 months or 15,000km, whichever occurs first.
The C-HR also boasts capped-price servicing for its warranty period, with each annual maintenance costing just $200.
This means that over five years, owners could shell out as little as $1000 to keep the C-HR on the road, which is slightly costlier than the Honda HR-V ($995), but much more affordable than the Hyundai Kona Hybrid ($2535).
Due to the newness of this model, our insurer was unable to provide a comprehensive quote for the 2024 Toyota C-HR.
For reference, a Hyundai Kona Hybrid will cost $1504 to insure, while a Toyota Corolla Cross is $1920 and a Honda HR-V is $2280, based on a comparative quote for a 35-year-old male driver living in Chatswood, NSW. Insurance estimates may vary based on your location, driving history, and personal circumstances.
At a glance 2024 Toyota C-HR
Warranty Five years, unlimited km
Battery warranty Five years, unlimited km
Service intervals 12 months or 15,000km
Servicing costs $600 (3 years)
$1000 (5 years)
Is the Toyota C-HR fuel-efficient?
With all versions of the new C-HR fitted with a hybrid powertrain, fuel efficiency is a forte.
Officially, the GXL and Koba feature an official fuel economy figure of 4.0 litres per 100 kilometres, whereas the GR Sport boasts a 4.1L/100km number.
The reason for the variance is that the GXL and Koba make use of a 1.8-litre petrol engine that is paired with a single electric motor with a combined output of 103kW that drives the front wheels.
