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Toyota C-HR (2016) Review

2018 Toyota C HR 1.8 Hybrid Dynamic 5dr CVT Toyota C HR
2018 1.8 Hybrid Dynamic 5dr CVT
£18,970
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Toyota C-HR (2016) At A Glance

5/5

+Outstanding ride, road holding and handling. A pleasure to drive. 1.2 petrol or 1.8 hybrid. Solid build quality. More power and performance from 184PS 2.0 C-HR from January 2020. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto now standard.

-Rear headroom is tight for tall adults. High load deck. 1.8 Hybrid wasn't as fun to drive as the 1.2 manual. No diesel engines.

Insurance Groups are between 14–16
On average it achieves 79% of the official MPG figure

After years of playing it safe with dull but worthy cars, the C-HR is a welcome return to more interesting car design for Toyota. But angular, coupe-crossover styling isn’t all the C-HR has going for it – it’s economical, practical and good to drive. The only problem is its steep price.

There is no diesel engine choice, just a 1.2-litre turbo petrol or a 1.8-litre hybrid. The hybrid is obviously the one to go for if you drive in town and value economy, but both are quiet and refined. Most buyers will be happier with the 1.2-litre though, since it has a slick manual transmission and perky, if not blistering performance. Performance was singnificantly increased from the 2020 model year with anoptional 2.0 litre 184PS petrol engine, while the 1.2 turbo petrol was dropped from the UK model line up.

On country roads the C-HR’s handling really shines. The suspension does a great job of blending accurate and grippy handling with smooth, quiet ride quality. For potholed roads and speed bumps it’s very impressive. And ideal for typical British tarmac.

Inside, there’s a stylishly laid out and well-built cabin with plenty of neat touches like a coloured dashboard inlays and door cards. It’s comfortable up front, with plenty of adjustment in the driving position. The back row is fine for most but legroom can get a little tight with tall occupants up front.

The boot is well-shaped and provides plenty of space at 377 litres, so there won’t often be cause to fold the rear seats down. But for those bulky loads they do fold, although unfortunately not flat, which will make getting some things in and out awkward.

All versions of the C-HR come well-equipped, with a touchscreen system, Bluetooth, dual-zone climate control, adaptive cruise control, auto high beam and lane departure alert. The essentials are all standard, but higher trims gain leather upholstery, navigation, automated parking and other luxuries.

Apple CarPlay and Android auto were added to the C-HR infotainment spec from 2020 model year.

There’s not much wrong with the Toyota C-HR. The bold styling might not be everyone’s cup of tea and, despite a Real MPG of 58.2 for the 1.8 hybrid, the lack of a diesel engine might  reduce the appeal for high mileage drivers. But the generous standard equipment, strong build quality and excellent road manners make up for any shortcomings. List prices are high compared to the competition - but being a Toyota you can expect this to be incredibly reliable.

Toyota C-HR 2016 Road Test

Toyota C-HR 2.0 Hybrid 2019 Road Test

What do owners think of the Toyota C-HR (2016)? Check out our Owners' Reviews from people who live with the car day in, day out.

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Real MPG average for a Toyota C-HR (2016)

RealMPG

Real MPG was created following thousands of readers telling us that their cars could not match the official figures.

Real MPG gives real world data from drivers like you to show how much fuel a vehicle really uses.

Average performance

79%

Real MPG

24–69 mpg

MPGs submitted

244

Diesel or petrol? If you're unsure whether to go for a petrol or diesel (or even an electric model if it's available), then you need our Petrol or Diesel? calculator. It does the maths on petrols, diesels and electric cars to show which is best suited to you.

Satisfaction Index

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Reviews for Toyota C-HR (2016)'s top 3 rivals

Mazda CX-3
4/5
Enjoyable and good to drive. Good quality interior finish. 2.0-litre petrol is smooth and economical.
Kia Sportage
4/5
One of the best crossovers on the market, well-equipped, seven-year warranty, practical and spacious.
SEAT Ateca
4/5
Very comfortable and refined with impressive ride quality. Lots of room for those in the back along with...

Ask Honest John

Our car battery went flat because we only do short journeys. Are all cars like this?
"Yesterday our Toyota C-HR would not start because the auxiliary battery was completely discharged. The breakdown service started the car and I took it on a 30-minute journey to recharge the aux battery. I have taken the car to the Toyota garage and they tell me that if the car is only doing short journeys and stands for days, the battery will eventually require recharging. This suggests that the car is not suitable for local short journey use without interspacing with long runs. This cannot be correct. If it is, we were not warned of this when purchasing. Is this the case for all modern cars?"
All cars will eventually get a flat battery if they're not driven regularly enough. Toyota recommends going through the normal start procedure at least once a week to keep the 12-volt battery charged: press the ‘Start’ button with your foot on the brake and ensure the ‘Ready’ light is illuminated on the dashboard (you don’t have to keep your foot on the brake thereafter, but ensure your vehicle’s transmission is in ‘Park’ and the parking brake is engaged). Put the car in ‘Ready’ mode for about 60 minutes before switching it off again.
Answered by Andrew Brady
Can you suggest a small, premium hybrid?
"I drive a 4-year-old Mercedes C-Class - which I love. But even before lockdown, I thought it was time to get a smaller car and venture into the world of hybrids. I'm looking for a high-spec, small, self-charging hybrid - either a hatchback or small SUV. I do mostly local journeys but some longer ones so I don’t want to go fully electric yet. On the Mercedes, I'm used to a high spec and lots of gizmos so I am looking for the most luxurious small car - this time with 5 doors, that is easy to park. I realise performance will not be as good as I'm used to but would like to get the best I can. My car is my luxury item in life so cost is not a big issue. I would be very grateful for your recommendations."
We'd recommend a Lexus UX 250h. It's a small hybrid crossover SUV with a premium cabin. Lexus is Toyota's premium brand and owners are generally a very satisfied bunch: https://www.honestjohn.co.uk/honest-john-satisfaction-index-2020/honest-john-satisfaction-index-2020-the-results/ You could also consider the CT 200h hatchback although it's been around for a number of years and is showing its age a bit now. Alternatively, look at a Toyota C-HR or the excellent new Yaris – they won't feel as classy as your Mercedes, but they're very dependable and efficient cars.
Answered by Andrew Brady
More reliable than a Mini Countryman?
"I’m in my 30s, work in investment management and use my own car for commuting and business. I currently have a 2016 Mini One Countryman 1.6-litre petrol, which has proven really unreliable with poor build quality (failed engine seal, clutch contaminated by an oil leak from the engine, broken water pump, gearbox issues etc). I’m keen to ditch it and replace it with something more reliable, ideally with a long warranty, and suitable for navigating country lanes (which are often icy or flooded) on my 20 mile daily commute. It also needs to be comfy for fortnightly longer motorway drives whilst visiting clients with a tall seating position and plenty of headroom. It needs to be big enough for a Labrador, car seat and boot full of shopping, while being cost-effective to run, too. I could spend around £20k outright or would consider 0% finance. I have no idea where to start so any guidance much appreciated."
Take a look at the latest Ford Puma or Peugeot 2008. Both are really fashionable little crossover SUVs with enough space for your Lab. £20k will get you an as-new pre-registered model of either. Alternatively, if you want to prioritise a long warranty, consider a Kia Stonic or Toyota C-HR.
Answered by Andrew Brady
I want an electric car to replace two diesel cars. What do you suggest?
"I drive a 2011 Ford Galaxy auto, mostly for transporting grandkids to school and long motorway journeys. I have a 2007 Fiat Panda for local runs around town. I get 44mpg and 60mpg respectively, both diesel engines. Choosing a new car has been a nightmare for me, so any good advice welcome. I want one car - possibly a good quality used car. Ultimately, I would like electric, I just feel they are too expensive at the moment. My total yearly mileage is usually 11,000. My budget is £15,000-20,000."
You can certainly get a good electric car within budget. How about an MG ZS EV? It's a versatile electric vehicle with a range of 163 miles. Prices for a new one start from £25,495 but you can pick up a nearly-new one for less than £19,000. If you'd prefer something more premium (but less practical), consider a BMW i3. If you're not ready to make the jump to an electric car, we'd recommend a hybrid model. A Toyota C-HR or RAV4 could be a good choice. Or a Kia Niro.
Answered by Andrew Brady

What does a Toyota C-HR (2016) cost?

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