BEHIND THE WHEEL: New entry in subcompact crossover market; the 2018 Toyota C-HR

You have a need for a subcompact crossover?  The 2018 Toyota C-HR is an option you don’t want to ignore.  A standout with this Toyota entry is the fact that while a subcompact vehicle is practical it is usually not sexy.  I won’t go so far as to say the C-HR is sexy, but I will say it is stunningly poised.   

This little vehicle really could take the place in the heart of all those folks who are still longing for a hatchbacks or station wagons. The C-HR is a bit higher with that crossover feel, but you are just steps away from the station wagon/hatchback vibe.

Competition in the class for the 2018 Toyota C-HR are options like the Honda HR-V SUV, Mazda CX3 SUV and the Nissan Juke Hatchback.  The Toyota Rav4 is a close cousin to the C-HR only this one is smaller and with a smaller price tag. 

Trim level options 

On the 2018 Toyota C-HR there are two trim levels the XLE and the XLE Premium.  The XLE comes with 18-inch wheels, automatic headlights and high-beam control, rear spoiler, remote lock/unlock, LED daytime running lights, various driving modes, rearview camera and auto-dimming mirror, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, 60/40-split rear seat, seven-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth, six speakers that include HD radio and a USB port. 

The XLE Premium is fully equipped with all the above goodies and for just a little bit more price tag there is a nice range of additional luxury and safety goodies.   You also get fog lights, keyless entry, heated front seats, power folding mirrors and blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert. 

Under the hood

The 2018 Toyota C-HR comes with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 144 horsepower and 139 pound-feet of torque.  With that you get a CVT front wheel driving experience, but there is no option for an all-wheel drive on this one.

Safety first 

The safety features on the 2018 Toyota C-HR include traffic-adapting cruise control, a brake hold when stopped at stoplights, forward collision warning that also engages an automatic emergency brake and there is the lane departure warning and intervention.  The air bags include driver, passenger, front head, rear head, front side and rear side as well as 4-wheel ABS and disc brakes.  Child safety locks, integrated turn signal mirrors and traction control also come on both trims, but the blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert is only part of the XLE Premium package.

Interior and exterior highlight

The C-HR is comfortable enough, but there is a noise factor that will bother most drivers and passengers on long haul trips. Inside the layout is fine, clean and easy and the knobs and controls are found with ease and easy to use. A few of the add-on features might not be as readily easy to figure out, but as you make the vehicle your own you will quickly know it well.  There is also the case of the steering wheel not telescoping out enough so drivers who want to sit way back in the seat won’t be able to reach the wheel.

The amount of storage space throughout the vehicle is well thought out with room for personal items and the door pockets and armrest in the center also offer storage space. The cupholders are an average size as are almost all the features on the C-HR.

In the rear you get 19-cubic-feet of cargo space to haul and with the seats down it is 36.4-cubic-fee, but still not as large as some of the competition.

Along for the ride 

The behind the wheel experience in the 2018 C-HR is going to be one of a laid-back vibe. You aren’t racing in this you are taking it easy and this can also include getting on the highway since it takes over 10 seconds to hit 60 miles per hour when attempted. For the steering and handling you will intuit what it is doing as it leaves a comfortable impression. Taking the curves well and offering a tight ride get in and drive the C-HR and discover if what it has to offer is what you are looking for and if so don’t hesitate to make it your own    

Should you need to know

The 2018 Toyota C-HR has fabric upholstery, but there is a plus in that scenario  because the fabric breathes and that means no air conditioning or heating needed for the seats. 

Miles

The 2018 Toyota C-HR I drove got 27 miles per gallon in the city and 31 miles per gallon on the highway.

Cost

I drove the 2018 Toyota C-HR with a price tag of $23.995.

For more auto tips and information follow Rita @RitaCook13.