It's Easier Here.

Leith Cars Blog

2018 Toyota C-HR Review: Not Intending to Blend In

It’s not often that a concept design makes it to production with much of its forward-thinking personality still intact, but the all-new 2018 Toyota C-HR intends to change that paradigm.

LeithCars’ Zero To 60 podcast host Mark Arsen was eager to meetup with product expert Brandon Hales at Leith Toyota in late May to witness firsthand the all-new CUV known as “Coupe-High Rider” or C-HR for short.

The first thing you’ll notice with the new C-HR is its stunning looks. You often hear automotive designers talk about a car looking like it’s in motion when it’s sitting still but sometimes this is just marketing speak. With the new Toyota C-HR, it’s a fact! This vehicle looks like it’s ready to leap forward from any angle and really just makes you want to hop-in and drive it. Now, it is fair to say that the C-HR’s exterior design might not be to everyone’s tastes, but who cares! If a car’s design speaks to you, listen to your inner voice and don’t concern yourself otherwise because the Toyota C-HR is obviously built for fun people to have fun in–wallflowers need not apply.

There are some exciting new paint colors and two-tone paint schemes available on C-HR too. When you check the box for the “R Code”, you have your choice of Ruby Flare Pearl, Blue Eclipse Metallic, or Radiant Green Mica to choose from; a solid white roof, mirror caps, and roof spoiler contrast with each new color for a stunning, unique look! These new colors won’t be offered on any other Toyota model.

Once inside the C-HR, the fun really starts! You’ll notice a level of detail and finish that has come to symbolize the quality and reliability of the Toyota brand but now, taken to a new level, especially for a compact car or CUV design. Brandon pointed out some of the C-HR’s unique touches like how Toyota’s designers incorporated a diamond-shape theme throughout the car’s interior which plays off the general look and shape of the C-HR’s exterior. Dial-up the G Monitor in the scrollable center info display and you can monitor your C-HR’s center of gravity. You can also choose an Eco, Normal or Sport mode proving just how much fun this new crossover intends on having.

Toyota Engineers wanted to tune the C-HR’s suspension for a sporty ride so they tested it at the Nurburgring in Germany.

To harness all this sporty driving feel to the pavement, Toyota sent a race-prepared C-HR to the world-famous Nurburgring Test Track to get their all-new crossover dialed in. The result is quite impressive for a vehicle in the compact crossover class. You get an independent MacPherson strut front suspension with stabilizer bar, coil springs, and hydraulic shock absorbers with SACHS dampers for the front wheels. The rear wheels get a double-wishbone suspension with coil springs, trailing arms, stabilizer bar, and hydraulic shock absorbers with SACHS dampers, a first for Toyota!

A 2.0 Liter four-cylinder engine good for 144 horsepower at 6100 rpm and 139 pound-feet of torque at 3900 rpm powers C-HR’s front wheels through a standard CVT. With this combo, it’s rated by Toyota at 27 city / 31 highway estimated mpg. C-HR starts at $22,500 MSRP and is ready for you to check out in person at Leith Toyota on Capital Blvd. in Raleigh, N.C. or online at LeithToyota.com.