The Toyota C-HR Hybrid is a Prius for eccentrics

Inconspicuous? Toyota has long since given up. The Japanese like eye-catching edges in the sheet metal. Across the model series, the models rub shoulders. The small Toyota C-HR is no exception. The SUV has a lot of sheet metal and many folds at the bottom, small windows and a sloping rear at the top. But inside, it is reasonable: a maximum of 122 hp is available. With electric assistance and an exemplary consumption of 3.8 liters per 100 kilometers. We spent two weeks on the road with the Toyota C-HR Hybrid in everyday life.

Dimensions, space, body

Nissan Juke, VW T-Roc or Renault Captur are the natural enemies of the C-HR. With a length of 4.36 meters, it towers over the competition somewhat. However, there is not necessarily more space. The trunk swallows 377 to 1,160 liters. Not bad, but a Juke can load 354 liters - and it is more than 20 centimeters shorter. There is not much space on the back seat either. You sit low in the car, the headroom is moderate, your knees quickly bump into the front seats.

The small side windows in the rear doors don't let in much light, so it's really not airy in the C-HR. In addition, the small window areas make it difficult to see diagonally backwards. Without electronic helpers, the all-round view would be completely gone. Practical shelves are also almost completely missing. At least there are cup holders in the center console.

Interior, workmanship, materials

Inside, the small crossover also cultivates extravagance. The eight-inch monitor sitting on the dashboard slopes slightly towards the passenger side, which is nicely solved. The bright blue trim that runs from the dashboard to the front doors exudes something modern. The dashboard, center console and door trim have pleasant material in the most important places, but Toyota also distributes a lot of hard plastic. That seems cheap.

Toyota upholsters the seats pleasantly firmly, and they also offer sufficient lateral support. The steering wheel is pleasant to the touch. In the sheet metal, the SUV does not seem very solid. The doors close with a high, tinny sound. The fuel cap sounds even worse.

Infotainment, radio and connectivity in the Toyota C-HR

The large display on the dashboard serves as a command center for the infotainment. The screen measures eight inches, and Toyota designs the touch surfaces large, so that operation is easy even when driving. At least if you place your fingers on the upper edge for stabilization and tap with your thumb. The menu navigation is largely intuitive, the system calculates quite quickly. However, the graphics look playful and a bit cheap.

As usual with Toyota, a lot of information about consumption, energy flow and state of charge of the hybrid battery can be read on the display. The instantaneous consumption is displayed as a graph. The large system in the test car is not even particularly expensive. Toyota charges 790 euros for the Touch & Go navigation system with 3D maps.

Further information can be found on the screen between the two classic round instruments in the cockpit. It measures only 4.2 inches, but is easy to read.

Assistance systems and safety

Toyota already packs some practical assistants into the car in the basic version. In an emergency, the C-HR Hybrid helps with braking, warns of impending collisions, helps to stay in lane and maintains speed via cruise control. In addition, it is protected from rolling away when starting off on a hill and automatically switches the high beam on and off. Seven airbags are available as standard, as well as active head restraints.

However, the front collision warning system is often annoying with its over-caution. It warns even though the car in front is far away and sometimes strikes without any reason at all. In conjunction with cruise control, the system also often brakes too early. The full-LED headlights shine pleasantly brightly, but at 1,100 euros they are not exactly cheap. The parking aid for the front costs 350 euros, but it makes sense because of the poor overview of the body.

Drive, motor, gearbox

As usual with Toyota's hybrid models, the C-HR initially drives off electrically. At heavier load, the 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine with 98 hp kicks in, but the electric motor alone already has a decent 72 hp. This results in a system output of 122 hp. Up to about 30 km/h, the C-HR drives purely electrically with gentle use of the accelerator pedal. The transition between electric and combustion engine operation is perfect. At least with a leisurely driving style.

When the gasoline engine is demanded, however, it sounds strained. In principle, this is known from Toyota's hybrid technology, but in the C-HR it seems a bit louder. When overtaking, the drive also has to make quite an effort. A lot of power seems to seep into the continuously variable automatic transmission. The crossover is often loud, but the propulsion is meager. This does not particularly fit the sporty look of the C-HR.

However, it compensates with thrift. We consume an average of around 6.0 liters. There is still room for improvement, if you make an effort, you can achieve values around 5.0 liters. In the city and on typical commutes at moderate speeds on country roads, the hybrid plays to its strengths. He likes the motorway less. The C-HR even less so than the flatter models from Toyota.

However, the standard consumption is 3.8 liters. This can hardly be achieved, the identically motorized Prius comes much closer. Because of the rather small tank, a theoretical range of around 610 kilometers remains.

Handling, chassis, steering

Toyota finds a good compromise when it comes to the chassis. It turns out to be tight, but does not annoy with unnecessary harshness. It can't be really gentle, because the C-HR is quite high and would then lean too much. The C-HR doesn't rumble over broken asphalt, rolls precisely through corners and can also be moved sportily.

A VW T-Roc or an Audi Q2 don't do it any better. Rather the opposite. The Toyota drives more agilely than most competitors. Only the powertrain stands in the way of sporty excursions on the country road.

Toyota C -HR: Equipment, e and conclusion

Toyota charges at least 21,990 euros for the C-HR. However, there is only a conventional gasoline engine with 116 hp and basic equipment. The Japanese only sell the hybrid from the Flow trim level for at least 27,790 euros (06/2019). It then rolls on 17-inch wheels, comes with a leather steering wheel, two-zone automatic climate control, digital radio, reversing camera and traffic sign recognition.

We recommend the Selection trim, which includes 18-inch wheels, heated seats and a heated steering wheel, for example. Unfortunately, the hybrid drive is not an ideal fit for the C-HR. It cannot exploit its savings advantage as well as a Prius or Auris. In addition, he largely lacks practical qualities. But this should probably not bother potential customers very much.

Technical data Toyota C-HR 1.8 Hybrid 4x2

• Drive: 1.8-liter four-cylinder gasoline hybrid
• Power combustion engine: 98 hp (78 kW)
• Electric power: 72 hp (53 kW)
• System output: 122 hp (90 kW) at 5,200 rpm
• Torque: 142 Nm at 3,600 rpm
• Transmission: CVT continuously variable automatic transmission
• 0-100 km/h: 11.0 s
• Top speed: 170 km/h
• Consumption: 3.8 l/100 km (NEDC)
• CO2 emissions: 86 g/km
• Test consumption: 6.2 l/100 km
• Length: 4,360 mm
• Width: 1,795 mm
• Height: 1,565 mm
• Wheelbase: 2,640 mm
• Curb weight: 1,380 kg
• Trunk: 377 – 1,160 l
• Base price Toyota C-HR: from 21,990 euros
• Base price Toyota C-HR 1.8 Hybrid: 27,790 euros
• Test car price: 31,340 euros