The Toyota C-HR: A Cracker Of A Crossover

Toyota’s funky urban crossover, the C-HR compact high-rider, is a marriage of quirky, eye-catching design and new engine technology.

- Glenda Williams

Nowadays, cars of inferior quality are few and far between. So looks need to be a primary differentiator. And cars that look strikingly different or stunningly beautiful will have that much-needed presence to stand out in the crowd.

One such vehicle is Toyota’s all-new C-HR compact crossover.

Toyota design has historically been, ahem, stodgy. But there has been a complete about face with its new compact high-rider. That fresh take on design has produced a broad, muscular and unconventional-looking fusion of hatchback and SUV with oodles of personality.

The sweeping and sloping roof, tapered rear windows and integrated “disappearing” rear door handles give the trendy Toyota C-HR a distinctly coupé-esque profile while a notably more streamlined, wrapping grille and lusty wing extremities define the crossover’s assertive facial language.

Towards the rear, that radical departure in design is even more pronounced, the flaring wheel arches and raised rump with its distinctive light clusters and rear spoiler emphasising its SUV underpinnings.

This hip front-wheel-drive cross-hatch runabout comes in three variants: a base manual model and two “Plus” models in either manual or auto.

Standard features on the Toyota C-HR 1.2T manual base model include electric windows, follow me home lights, remote central locking, daytime running lights, an audio system with six speakers as well as Bluetooth and USB.

Plus models come with additional features like cruise control, front and rear fog lamps, 17” alloy wheels and rain sensing wipers.