Toyota has a storied modern history of innovation: remember the World Rally-based Celica GT-Four, the quirky Tarago ‘egg’ people mover and the revolutionary Prius petrol/electric hybrid?
Now, the Japanese auto giant has continued carrying the stylish high-tech torch with the C-HR GR Sport.
This edgy looking cross-over is the flagship of the all-new second generation premium compact, which brings stylish European design and economic performance together in the small SUV segment.
The three-version Coupe-High Rider, says the maker, presents an elevation in luxury and performance compared with the outgoing C-HR, with the pick of two new hybrid powertrains and the introduction of the latest technology in safety, comfort and convenience, appealing especially to younger buyers.
Sitting in the middle ground between the Corolla and RAV4 and updated in late 2019 with a petrol/electric hybrid top-spec Koba model, the GXL gets the ball rolling from $42,990, plus on-road costs. Mid-stream is Koba, from $49,990, with the hero GR Sport, from $54,990, plus ORCs.
All C-HRs are covered by Toyota’s five-year/unlimited kilometre warranty, as well as capped price servicing for the first five years or 75,000 kilometres, whichever comes first, with each 12-month/15,000km service costing $250.
Added is a 12-month complimentary subscription to Toyota Connected Services, providing security and convenience through the myToyota Connect smartphone app.
STYLING
From the base GXL up, the C-HR adopts Toyota’s new ‘Hammer Head’ exterior design language, with the GR Sport topping off the range with unique gloss black 19-inch alloy wheels, GR Sport grille, with liquid black finish, and GR Sport badging.
The GR Sport joins Koba with auto-levelling bi-LED headlamps, LED ‘foggies’, power tailgate, premium gloss black accents and rear and rear-side window privacy glass. Adaptive high-beam headlamps dim selectively to prevent on-coming road users from being dazzled.
With six exterior colours on offer for GXL, upper grades add visual flair with a two-tone combination of a black roof with Frosted White pearl, metallic Graphite, Stunning Silver, Feverish Red and Sunglow (the test vehicle) or metallic mica Emeraldine.
A Two-Tone Plus finish is also available for the pair, adding the roof’s black finish to the rear and can be optioned with panoramic roof. Buyers can also opt for the all-black Ink mica metallic finish.
INTERIOR
The stylish cabin boasts a range of recycled materials and no animal derived products.
For example, GR Sport front seats have a combination of synthetic leather-accented and suede-like upholstery,
While the front seats are comfortable and laterally well supportive, rear legroom is tight.
There are GR-branded aluminium scuff plates and floor mats and a perforated GR Sport steering wheel, which can be heated.
Boot space is constricted by the steeply sloping back and underfloor mechanical workings. In the absence of a spare wheel only a tyre puncture kit is carried.
INFOTAINMENT
All C-HR variants feature an up-to-date high-resolution 12.3-inch touchscreen multimedia system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, cloud-based satellite navigation, DAB+ digital radio and voice recognition.
Koba and GR Sport are singled out for additional tech including a colour head-up display, nine speaker JBL premium audio, wireless smartphone charger, rear USB accessory port and a digital 12.3-inch instrument panel.
ENGINES/TRANSMISSIONS
More than a show pony, the C-HR GR Sport has plenty to play with from the powertrain with its 2-litre hybrid system mated with a dual-motor e-Four all-wheel drive system. Pumping out 146kW combined output, the flagship squeezes the low combined fuel consumption to 4.1 litres per 100 kilometres, the maker claims.
The 2.0-litre hybrid powertrain uses a lithium-ion battery in place of the nickel-metal hydride battery in the previous generation hybrid system.
SAFETY
All C-HRs come with high-grade safety tech through Toyota’s Safety Sense suite, which includes the pre-collision system, active cruise control, lane trace assist, parking support brake, speed-sign assist and safe exit assist, as well as panoramic view monitor and 10 airbags.
DRIVING
From the get-go the C-HR GR Sport has a striking presence, but from then on things fade to a far-from- punchy but, some would say, passable performance; try zero to 100km/h in eight seconds.
Three drive modes – Normal, Eco and Sport – are on hand, tuning the powertrain, steering and air-conditioning systems, along with a Custom mode which allows drivers to do things their way.
Eco is highly forgettable; Sport stiffens ride and handling in taking on the freed-up powertrain. Normal turns the vehicle into a townie with milder manners. Cabin noise is mostly restricted to the tyres unless the petrol motor is pushed into a low note.
Toyota puts fuel consumption at 4.1 litres per 100 kilometres on the combined urban / highway. The test car came up with 5.5 litres per 100 kilometres in an urban environment and 3.8 litres per 100 kilometres on a motorway run.
Stopping power is enhanced by larger twin-piston caliper front brakes.
SUMMARY
There’s no denying the sharp looking C-HR GR Sport tester attracted more than its fair share of attention from the sub-thirty-year-old cohort but whether this would translate to sales is another matter. Price could be a problem.
RATINGS
Looks: 8/10
Performance: 7/10
Safety: 9/10
Thirst: 8/10
Practicality: 6/10
Comfort: 7/10
Tech: 8/10
Value: 7/10
AT A GLANCE
MODEL LINE-UP
C-HR GXL $42,990
C-HR Koba $49,990
C-HR GR Sport $54,990
Note: these prices do not include government of dealer delivery charges. Contact your Toyota local dealer for drive-away prices.
SPECIFICATIONS (Toyota C-HR GR Sport 2-litre 4-cyl petrol, Hybrid, CVT auto, AWD)
ENGINE
Configuration: four cylinders inline
Capacity: 1987cc
Maximum power 112kW @ 6000rpm
Maximum torque: 188Nm from 4400-5200rpm
Fuel type: Petrol 91 RON
Fuel tank: 43 litres
Combined fuel cycle: (ADR 81/02) 4.1L/100km
CO2 emissions: 94g/km
HYBRID SYSTEM
Front motor: synchronous, permanent magnet
Maximum power: 83kW
Maximum torque: 206Nm
Rear motor: synchronous, permanent magnet
Maximum power: 30kW
Maximum torque: 84Nm
Maximum combined output:146kW
High-voltage battery: lithium-ion
Capacity: 4.08Ahr
DRIVELINE: CVT, e-Four all-wheel drive
DIMENSIONS, WEIGHT, AND CAPACITIES
Length: 4362mm
Width: 1832mm
Height:1564mm
Wheelbase: 2640mm:
Turning circle: 11.6m
Kerb weight: 1575kg
BRAKES
Front: Ventilated disc
Rear: Disc
