Toyota C-HR detailed, priced for Oz

TOYOTA Australia has this week priced its forthcoming C-HR compact SUV range for the local market, the all-hybrid, three-variant range here in the first quarter of 2024 priced from $42,990 plus on-road costs – or $11,275 more than the starting price of the current range.

European designed and built, the Toyota C-HR is said to offer “wholesale improvements in luxury, technology and hybrid performance”, the entry-grade GXL ($42,990) topped by the now mid-tier Koba ($49,990) and flagship GR Sport ($54,990).

The C-HR GXL and Koba will be powered by Toyota’s fifth-generation front-drive hybrid system which teams a 1.8-litre four-cylinder petrol engine with a hybrid transaxle to deliver a combined system output of 103kW, or close to 15 per cent more than the outgoing C-HR hybrid.

Toyota says the petrol engine contributes 72kW/142Nm while the electric motor develops 70kW, a 17kW improvement over the previous generation electric motor, achieved by increasing the number of magnets embedded inside the motor from three to six.

For the top-shelf all-wheel drive C-HR GR Sport the combined system power figure jumps considerably to 145kW. The flagship variant combines a 2.0-litre petrol engine producing 112kW/188Nm with a pair of electric motors – the front providing 83kW and the rear 30kW.

In all variants the hybrid powertrain is paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) to “maximise performance and efficiency”, says Toyota. All variants further feature a new lithium-ion battery which is said to provide “reduced weight and increased output (+14 per cent) compared with its predecessor”.

Inside, the C-HR is characterised by a driver-centric cockpit featuring a 12.3-inch infotainment screen with wireless Apple CarPlay and wired Android Auto connectivity, satellite and cloud navigation, DAB+ digital radio reception, and Toyota Connected Services technology suite.

Equipment for the GXL variant includes 17-inch alloy wheels, sports front seats with manual adjustment, cloth upholstery, LED interior lighting, a 7.0-inch instrumentation display, six-speaker sound, dual-zone climate control, rain-sensing wipers, keyless entry and start, 360-degree camera system and Toyota’s comprehensive Safety Sense active driver assistance technologies.

The mid-tier Koba add bi-LED headlights with auto-levelling and adaptive high beam, 19-inch alloy wheels, heated front seats with fabric/suede combination upholstery and powered driver seat adjustment, a larger 12.3-inch instrumentation display, nine-speaker JBL premium audio system, powered tailgate, head-up display, wireless smartphone charging pad, and ambient LED cabin lighting.

Finally, the GR Sport variant adds unique 19-inch alloys, sports exterior styling, upgraded brakes, a heated steering wheel, GR Sport front seats with synthetic leather/suede upholstery, and GR branded floor mats, steering wheel and scruff plates.

Optionally, the GR Sport is available with a fixed panoramic roof and two-tone paint scheme ($2700).

The Toyota C-HR will be offered locally in six paint finishes, with Koba and GR Sport variants further available with two-tone paint options.

“The new C-HR brings a new level of premium luxury to the small SUV segment, blending dynamic design and strong technology with a high level of specification and low fuel consumption,” said Toyota Australia vice president of sales, marketing and franchise operations, Sean Hanley.

“The choice of two intelligent hybrid powertrain options combined with the European design and manufacture make the new C-HR more appealing than ever before.”

Toyota Australia will provide further specification details closer to the model’s arrival in the first quarter of 2024.

2024 Toyota C-HR pricing*:

*Pricing excludes on-road costs.