Toyota's C-HR gets a mid-life mini-makeover
The stylish C-HR is aimed at those who want to look fashionable and trendy, while they comfortably go about their daily business. Ever since the C-HR first broke cover in SA, Toyota has been selling a steady 100-200 units of these aggressively styled, lifestyle-orientated SUV-crossovers every month. It was time for a mid-life refresh, and I'm pleased to report that the C-HR is now even more appealing, thanks to a few minor additions and improvements.
Related: Read our C-HR 1.2 Luxury Auto review from 2018 here.
Does it look very different from the previous model?
On the styling front, you may notice a larger and lower air dam and more vertically-positioned side air intakes, if you have a keen eye. The lower lip has been painted to enhance the C-HR's wide and stocky stance. The fog lamps have literally been lifted, to sit higher and more towards the outer edges of the SUV.
All variants of the C-HR now have LED headlamps with daytime running lamps. Should you decide to opt for a new C-HR, there are two new colours from which to choose: Inferno Orange and Oxide Bronze. Luxury models can be had with a black "floating" roof, with Passion Red, Nebula Blue, or the aforementioned Inferno Orange at the bottom.
Related: Watch the Toyota C-HR video review from June 2017.
Road-trip time! First stop: Bredasdorp
Toyota decided that the new C-HRs had to be taken on a proper outing that involved at least 450 km of the best driving roads the Western Cape has to offer. As soon as I had taken my place behind the steering wheel of the flagship 1.2T Luxury CVT (R476 600), I connected my phone to the new in-car WiFi namely Toyota Connect, which includes 15GB of data which can be topped up when needed, via the My Toyota App.
I then plugged my iPhone in to gain access to Apple CarPlay (also new, along with a larger 20-cm screen and new infotainment system, and compatible with Android Auto), and there was our route map, neatly displayed on-screen via Google Maps. Once our wheels were rolling, I asked Siri to open Spotify and picked my favourite playlist. Soon afterwards we were on the N2, happily heading for Caledon and then Bredasdorp.
This superbly twisty road is one of my go-to test routes, and I was thrilled to give the new C-HR an opportunity to stretch its legs, and to experience its newly-tuned steering and quieter cabin. The lively 1.2-litre turbocharged engine is a little gem and the CVT gearbox is probably one of the smoothest and least intrusive units of its type on the local market. There is no drivetrain drone when you flatten your foot against the accelerator, and when you're sitting inside the stationary vehicle with the engine running, you may as well be driving a hybrid - that's how quiet it is.
I found Toyota's Safety Sense to be quite user-friendly, although the lane-keep assist function will only give you an audible warning, but not guide or nudge you back into your lane if you "cross the line", so to speak. Fortunately this function can be switched off, as the incessant beeping can get on one's nerves. The adaptive cruise control works a treat, and is a life saver in stop-and-go traffic.
Barrydale to George
On day two, we started our journey in the little Karoo, and ended it at George Airport via two deliciously curvaceous mountain passes, including the Robinson Pass and the scenic Huisriver Pass. Once again I was struck by how ergonomically efficient the driver-orientated cockpit is, and how well the cabin has been constructed. There was not a rattle to be heard, and not a surface, button or switch to be touched that was anything less than top-notch in quality.
As for the new C-HR's driving dynamics, the steering has a meatier, more direct feel to it, and when you switch to Sport mode (there's also an Eco and a Normal mode) the C-HR reacts like its been given a double shot of BioPlus! Due to the C-HR's height, there is a smidgen of body roll in the corners, but it's hardly bothersome enough to stop people from buying one.
More safety spec on all models
Our Luxury test car, shod with flashy turbine 18-inch wheels, now has added safety kit such as Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM), Lane Change Assist (LCA), Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA), Pre-crash system, Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) and Lane Keeping Assist. This is collectively known as Toyota Safety Sense.
The biggest news on the safety front is the full suite of seven airbags which found their way across the new C-HR range. Previously, the lower-spec models only had two frontal airbags, so this is a huge improvement for safety-minded individuals and young families.
Pricing
Toyota C-HR 1.2T – R 371 700
Toyota C-HR 1.2T Plus – R 403 000
Toyota C-HR 1.2T Plus CVT – R 415 100
Toyota C-HR 1.2T Luxury CVT – R 476 600
All C-HR models are sold with a 6-services/90 000 km service plan (intervals set at 15 000 km) and 3-year/100 000km warranty. (Customers can also purchase a variety of service and/or warranty add-ons at their local dealership.)
Recommended next
Buying an older C-HR or another pre-loved SUV? Check out this comparative article: Toyota C-HR vs. Hyundai Creta vs. Nissan Qashqai, which offers the best value? (2019)
Also read Top 3 city cars for comfort lovers (2018)
