Riding High
The maker of all things reliable seldom produces cars which are striking to the eye, but when they do, the Japanese manufacturer tends to swing almost like a polarising opposite of its expected self. Take for-instance the TA22 Toyota Celica from the early 70s, and the limited production 2000GT featured in The You Only Live Twice James Bond franchise. Cars which do not seem to fit into the Toyota mould, and just like how their C-HR is.
A new 1.2 litre, four-cylinder turbocharged engine with VVT-iW, delivers a sufficient 114bhp, and 185Nm of torque, available from 1,500rpm. With a 7-speed CVT transmission driving the front wheels, the C-HR does a very respectful combined 15.6Km/l. Delivery is smooth once the turbocharger spools up, and drivers will find that the car accelerates decently, even with that tiny engine in the front.
Forward visibility from the driver’s seat is very good, however that thick C pillar does not help when checking your blind spots.
As-per most crossovers, there is some body roll around the bends, and noticeably a little more than the SEAT Arona. But surprisingly the C-HR is a very manageable car to live with, and as a surprise, when placing the car into “Sport” mode (hunting for the drive mode change switch is quite a challenge though), that tiny 1.2 litre springs to life, delivering very spritely acceleration, without even sounding rough at higher RPMs. All this thanks to the engine’s ability in swopping between an Atkinson cycle at lower RPMs to save on fuel, and switching to the conventional Otto cycle under heavier “right footing”.
The C-HR is genuinely an easy car to live with, and while there are many “unofficial” 1.8 hybrids plying our roads, and many used for non-self-drive purposes, those who can look past that, will find a car which delivers a satisfying drive, and one which turns heads.
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