Toyota updates C-HR small SUV for first time

TOYOTA Australia has announced the first major update for the C-HR small SUV since its arrival in showrooms in early 2017, with the Japanese car-maker’s smallest high-rider set to score hybrid power for the first time.

Due Down Under in December, powertrain choice will be expanded to include a 1.8-litre petrol-electric hybrid, which will be offered in the volume-selling Koba FWD grade, which makes up almost half of all C-HR sales.

No power figures have been given for the new powertrain, but it is likely closely related to the 1.8-litre hybrid unit in the new-generation Corolla, which outputs a combined 90kW. Claimed fuel consumption for the new hybrid has been confirmed to be 4.3 litres per 100km.

The existing 85kW/185Nm 1.2-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder engine will carry over unchanged.

Inside, all versions will now be offered with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, projected onto a new 8.0-inch infotainment display that will be standard across the range, replacing the outgoing 6.1-inch unit.

Exterior upgrades have also been applied to the C-HR, including new LED headlights, tail-lights and alloy-wheel designs.

Toyota Australia vice-president of sales and marketing Sean Hanley said the company was looking to expand the availability of hybrid powertrains across its line-up, having proved to be popular choices in other models.

“We now offer hybrid power in some of our most popular models, including Camry, Corolla hatch, Prius and RAV4, and its addition to C-HR will further broaden its appeal,” he said.

“Our customers are demanding an alternative powertrain that delivers strong performance, refinement and low fuel consumption, and hybrid answers that need.

“And clearly it’s something our customers appreciate, with hybrid accounting for nearly 45 per cent of Camry sales, 40 per cent of Corolla hatch sales and nearly 40 per cent of new RAV4 sales over the past three months.”

Pricing is expected to be announced closer to the updated C-HR’s launch. The current range opens at $26,990 plus on-roads for the front-drive manual and tops out at $35,290 for the automatic Koba AWD.

Through the first eight months of the year, Toyota has sold 6327 examples of the C-HR, up 2.0 per cent over the 6203 it managed to the same point last year.

It currently sits seventh in the small SUV segment, behind hot sellers like the Mitsubishi ASX (13,752), Mazda CX-3 (10,138) and Hyundai Kona (8493), among others.