Toyota C-HR: Performance
Toyota introduced the updated version of its sleek C-HR to the South African market this week. The facelift brings new technology, fresh exterior colours, and other aesthetic and performance improvements, strengthening an already thriving contender in the SUV market. A closer look at the improvements reveals additions such as sharpened front-end styling, safety upgrades across the model range, Toyota Safety Sense, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and two new colours – Inferno Orange and Passion Red.
A Well-Rounded Product
The thing about the Toyota C-HR, though, is that it’s already a very well-rounded product. The facelift's additions significantly enhance the value offering of the Japanese SUV, particularly in terms of performance and safety. There’s an old saying that goes, "if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it," which aptly relates to Toyota’s decision to retain the motor from the pre-facelift model.
Engine and Performance
The motor in question is a petrol 1.2-litre turbocharged 4-cylinder engine employed across the range, from the entry-level model up to the top-of-the-range ‘C-HR Luxury’ model. The motor produces 85kW of power and 185Nm of torque, which is sent to the front wheels through the buyer's choice of either a 6-speed manual gearbox or a CVT transmission. It’s easy to see why they chose to keep the engine, especially considering that it produces between 141-144 g/kg of CO2 emissions, with an equally impressive fuel consumption figure of 6.3-litres/100km for the manual models and 6.4-litres/100km for the CVT models.
Enhanced Driving Experience
The driver will also enjoy better performance from the improved steering feel and upgraded NVH pack, which works to reduce vibrations from the road and subsequent road noise. The new Toyota C-HR comes standard with a set of 17-inch wheels, with larger turbine-style 18-inch wheels found on the Plus and Luxury models.
Safety Specifications
In terms of safety, Toyota has refreshed the safety specifications across the range. The standard and Plus grades receive side, curtain, and driver knee airbags, in addition to the front driver and passenger units, while rear seatbelt force limiters and pre-tensioners have been added to the standard grade derivative. The flagship ‘Luxury’ grade model inherits a complete suite of electronic driver safety aids in the form of the Toyota Safety Sense system. These include Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM), Lane Change Assist (LCA), Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA), Pre-crash system, Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), and Lane Keeping Assist.
FAQ
Q: What engine does the Toyota C-HR have in South Africa?
The Toyota C-HR uses a 1.2-litre turbocharged 4-cylinder petrol engine that produces 85kW of power and 185Nm of torque across all trim levels.
Q: How fuel efficient is the Toyota C-HR?
The Toyota C-HR achieves impressive fuel consumption figures of 6.3-litres/100km with the 6-speed manual transmission and 6.4-litres/100km with the CVT automatic.
Q: Is the Toyota C-HR all-wheel drive?
No, the Toyota C-HR is front-wheel drive only, with power sent to the front wheels through either a 6-speed manual or CVT transmission.
Q: What safety features does the new Toyota C-HR come with?
The facelifted Toyota C-HR comes standard with Toyota Safety Sense across the entire model range, providing enhanced safety features compared to the previous generation.
Q: Does the Toyota C-HR have good performance for daily driving?
Yes, the Toyota C-HR offers adequate performance for daily driving with its 85kW turbocharged engine, plus the facelift includes improved steering feel and an upgraded NVH package for reduced road noise and vibrations.
Should You Buy It?
The Toyota C-HR is a solid choice if you're after a stylish, fuel-efficient SUV that won't break the bank at the petrol station. With consumption figures of just 6.3-6.4-litres/100km and Toyota's legendary reliability, it makes perfect sense for anyone wanting something different from the usual bakkie crowd. The 85kW might not set your hair on fire, but it's perfectly adequate for our roads, and that turbocharged 1.2-litre engine has enough grunt for overtaking taxis on the N1. If you value style, efficiency, and Toyota's rock-solid build quality over outright performance, the C-HR delivers exactly what it promises without any nasty surprises.
