This is the first generation of the Toyota C-HR, so it doesn’t get any better than this. For starters, I love the ‘Iceberg’ color of this car. Honestly when I first saw it with its two-tone color scheme, all that came to mind was a tube of toothpaste on wheels, but then, the more pictures I took…. turns out, this little ‘Iceberg” C-HR is super photogenic. And well, if you can’t get the tube of toothpaste out of your mind, then just think of it as a ‘breath of fresh air,’ because that’s truly what it is.
This is an exterior that seeks attention. With its sleek design and all too cool cabin, the C-HR engineers delivered a crossover that any millennial would enjoy owning. One standout would be the rear passenger door handles, they are located at the top seam of the door as to not interrupt the nice angles on the profile of the C-HR. Also due to those ‘nice angles,’ the roofline is sloped significantly, making visibility slightly difficult out of the back of the vehicle.
The interior of the C-HR is pretty basic, highly durable, but basic, which I think is actually quite perfect. It is refreshing and youthful. Keeping with corresponding patterns, the diamond-shape impressions are seen in the headliner accents. Storage space can be found in the center console or the glovebox, giving passengers a generous place to deposit valuables. Two cupholders can be found in the front or in the front door storage pockets as well as two in the rear. A single USB port is available. There is no navigation or sunroof option. Fans of the C-HR seem to like Toyota’s minimalist styling of basic needs. So do we.
And sticking to the basics, the infotainment system may be missing onboard navigation, Wi-Fi hotspot and Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, but the 7.0-inch touchscreen is intuitive and super easy to use. Bluetooth wireless technology with streaming capability will make sure you stay connected.
If you’re a horrible decision maker, the C-HR might be the car for you, available in just two trims, XLE and XLE Premium. No options are offered on either trim level making purchasing super easy. Both trims are front wheel drive only.
Both trim levels offer necessary safety features: automated emergency braking, lane-departure warning and adaptive cruise control. These are all standard features on the C-HR. I test drove the XLE for the week which was $23,995. If you have extra cash to spare, the XLE Premium subtracts an additional $1850 for your bank account. But for the extra cash you get: fog lamps, blind spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, sport seats with lumbar support, and Smart key entry.
Speaking of ‘Smart Key’ entry, when you approach the C-HR XLE Premium with said key and touch the door handle sensor, the power mirrors fold out and and illuminated “Toyota C-HR” logo is displayed on the ground just below the door. Pretty cool huh?!
Whichever trim you choose, the C-HR has a 2.0-liter four cylinder engine. It isn’t a fast car but it is a reliable car. I sure couldn’t complain about the fuel economy on the crossover, receiving 27 mpg/city and 32 mpg/highway. The C-HR makes a drive around the city, fun, but even better…..? The C-HR is extra easy when it comes to whipping in and out of parking spaces.
In the world of crossovers, the C-HR’s uniqueness is hard to beat. You get a safe, comfortable, reliable vehicle with striking looks and maximized space at an affordable price.
