Selwyn Times: June 10, 2020

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Wednesday June 10 2020 21
Cheeky Toyota C-HR range revamped
AN ACQUAINTANCE asked me
recently did I like Toyota’s C-HR,
she was thinking of buying one.
I said it is a funky, trendy car
that will never let her down, I also
presented her with a couple of
other options, but the Toyota won
out and she is now a happy C-HR
owner.
The C-HR (coupe high-rider)
landed here around three years
ago and it immediately stood
out for its edgy styling and bold
presence, it is a small sport utility
vehicle that punches above its
weight in terms of looks, it appeals
to those who want fashion in their
new car purchase and want to
make a statement.
The C-HR has just had a facelift
for 2020; it gets some new kit,
while bolder cosmetic detailing
gives it more of an extreme look.
Importantly, it has also had a
major mechanical enhancement,
the C-HR is now available with
hybrid power – as an option.
There are five variants in the
C-HR line-up, this evaluation
doesn’t encompass the hybrid,
I’m due to drive that model soon,
however, the base model vehicle
is a good starting point in the
series and after driving it for a
week I certainly feel it is a worthy
consideration at $32,990.
That price is competitive,
and if you take into account
that the range spans to $37,990,
then there is a C-HR for all
budgets.
Of course the C-HR won’t be
for everyone, at just 4.3m it’s on
the small side and it’s compact
inside. I’m not saying it’s cramped,
far from it, rear passengers have
good leg room and more than
enough height, it’s just that if there
are five in the car, those broad
shouldered in the rear will be cosy.
However, cargo space is generous
at 318-litres.
Under the bonnet of the base
model sits an element of surprise
– a 1.2-litre four-cylinder petrol
engine. If you are thinking that
that would be a bit wimpy, think
again, there is a turbocharger to
lift the power outputs and also
provide economy.
It is rated by Toyota at 85kW
and 185Nm with the power
outputs developed low in the
rev band from 5200rpm to
5600rpm. Maximum torque is
also developed all of the way
from 1500rpm to 4000rpm which
provides a solid amount of energy
right through the mid-range,
exactly where it is needed for
everyday motoring.
Drive thereafter is channelled
TOYOTA C-HR: Extreme look will appeal to trendsetters.
through a seven-step continuously
variable automatic transmission.
Together, the driveline is very
smooth and seamless, no surprises
there, that’s the way it is with CVT.
While the base model C-HR looks
like a four-wheel-drive vehicle, it’s
not, however, there is an all-corner
drive model and that will add
$4500 to the price.
Nevertheless, the base model
is the quintessential urban jungle
challenger.
Performance is satisfactory.
The power and torque figures
are delivered low in the rev
band (5200 and 1500-4000rpm),
the engine has no hesitation of
hauling quickly through to the red
line if needed.
Against the clock the nonhybrid
model will reach 100km/h
from a standstill in 9.8sec and will
make 120km/h from 80km/h in
6.4sec.
On the subject of figures,
you’d also expect the C-HR to be
economical and you’d be quite
right. Toyota claims a 6.4-litre per
100km combined cycle fuel usage
average. The evaluation car’s trip
computer was constantly reading
around 7.6l/100km during my
time with it, that helped by an
economical 4.8l/100km figure
sitting at 100km/h on the open
road, the engine turning over at a
leisurely 1750rpm.
Even though I carried out my
normal highway open road run,
the C-HR was mostly used in an
around-the-city environment, a
busy new year period necessitated
a lot of short runs which are
never good for fuel economy so
I was pleasantly surprised by the
returns.
The C-HR is also pretty
• Price – Toyota C-HR,
$32,990
• Dimensions – Length,
4385mm; width, 1795mm;
height, 1565mm
• Configuration – Fourcylinder,
front-wheeldrive,
1197cc, 85kW,
185Nm, continuously
variable automatic.
• Performance –
0-100km/h, 9.8sec
• Fuel usage – 6.4l/100km
sharp when presented with a
few quick corners. It rides and
handles with much dignity, the
ride isn’t severe, bumps and
ruts are well absorbed through
a wonderful four-corner
independent suspension thanks to
the engineering that is needed for
its four-wheel-drive stablemate.
With the changes for the new
decade, the C-HR could well be
described as well-specced. There
are a few extras such as a multimedia
8in touch screen system,
full smartphone integration that
incorporates Apple CarPlay and
Android Auto, which are new
inclusions. They sit on top of the
normal features you’d want in a
car such as this.
In keeping with the extreme
look of C-HR, Toyota also offers it
in bright colours, the combination
is very alluring and the entire
package reeks of desire.
That had a lot to do with the
choice my acquaintance made.
The C-HR isn’t big, but it is big on
value and presence.