Toyota's striking new 2024 C-HR has been revealed, featuring contrasting paint jobs, hybrid and plug-in hybrid engines, and the latest infotainment. It claims to be sportier to drive than the car it replaces. Read on to find out all about it.
Update: Since this guide was published we have driven the all-new Toyota C-HR. Click here to read our full 2024 Toyota C-HR Review
2024 Toyota C-HR: price, specs and release date
- 2024 Toyota C-HR exterior design
- 2024 Toyota C-HR interior design and infotainment
- 2024 Toyota C-HR practicality and boot space
- 2024 Toyota C-HR engines, power, performance and electric range
- 2024 Toyota C-HR drive, handling and safety features
- 2024 Toyota C-HR price and release date
2024 Toyota C-HR exterior design
The origami design of the new C-HR echoes that of Toyota's first EV, the bZ4X, and is remarkably similar to the Prologue concept that previewed the car last year.
Up front, you get a striking headlight design with an interlocking-shape theme that continues around the car's sides in diamond-like creases.
You'll also notice flush door handles, wheels up to 20 inches in size and a bi-tone colour option with a black roof that extends to the rear-three-quarter panel. Keeping the shape clean involves hiding the car's reversing camera and parking sensors.
Watch our review of the current Toyota C-HR
When building the new C-HR, Toyota uses twice as many recycled plastics as it did on the old model – including upholstery made from recycled plastic bottles. Colouring the car's bumper in their mould will save hundreds of tonnes of CO2, according to Toyota, and new water-based paints and artificial leathers (used to trim the steering wheel) should have the same effect.
Clever packaging also plays its part. The panoramic sunroof's infra-red-reducing coatings mean there's no need for a sun blind, reducing weight by 5kg and increasing headroom by 3cm.
2024 Toyota C-HR interior design and infotainment
The Toyota's interior lights illuminate as you approach the car, and it automatically sets the seat and infotainment to your settings. A digital key – which means you can access the C-HR using your smartphone – will be available from next year.
Once inside, you'll find Toyota carries the sporty theme of the C-HR's exterior into the cabin. Thanks to the car's tall transmission tunnel and a wraparound dashboard design, you'll feel cocooned behind the wheel, and the C-HR's circular air vents look like they belong in something low and sleek.
GR Sport models take the sportiness up a notch with red trim, a three-spoke steering wheel and Alcantara-like upholstery.
High-end models get a 12.3-inch digital instrument binnacle in place of analogue dials. It has three display modes and can display directions from the sat-nav.
Depending on trim level, you also get an eight- or 12.3-inch centre touchscreen. The Toyota Smart Connect system features wireless Apple CarPlay and wireless Android Auto, and you can connect to the car via an app, allowing you to preheat or cool the cabin. Using the app, you can also park the car remotely while standing outside it, although this feature has yet to be confirmed for the UK.
An upgraded JBL stereo will be on the options list, and you can also have interior ambient lighting. It has a choice of 64 colours and 24 changing shades, and the system can flash a red warning if you try to open your door into a cyclist's path.
2024 Toyota C-HR practicality and boot space
The Toyota C-HR's coupe-style SUV body has a striking design but also delivers decent practicality.
As a result, you can expect six-footers to have plenty of room in the front. Toyota says it has improved rear seat space, and you can expect more headroom, which was a criticism of the old model.
Boot space has yet to be confirmed, but expect it to improve on the current car's 377 litres. According to Toyota, choosing the plug-in hybrid will have a nominal effect on luggage capacity. Smaller storage areas include door bins, a glovebox, two cup holders, a storage tray in front of the gear selector and a lidded cubby under the front centre armrest.
2024 Toyota C-HR engines, power, performance and electric range
The new Toyota C-HR will only be offered as a hybrid or plug-in hybrid as Toyota fills the gap left by the Prius hybrid, which you can no longer buy in the UK.
Pure hybrid powertrains are shared with the Corolla, meaning you can choose from 1.8 and 2.0-litre, four-cylinder models mated to a CVT automatic gearbox. A small battery means both can run purely on electricity for short distances.
The 1.8-litre model produces 138bhp and gets from 0-62mph in 9.9 seconds; the 195bhp 2.0-litre gets from 0-62mph in 8.1 seconds. Both return combined fuel economy of nearly 60mpg with CO2 emissions ranging from 103g/km (1.8) to 107g/km (2.0).
The plug-in hybrid version is a first for the C-HR. It combines a 2.0-litre engine with an electric motor and a 13.8kWh battery to produce 220bhp, getting the Toyota from 0-62mph in 7.4 seconds.
The PHEV's main advantage is its 41-mile EV range, which means you can run on cheap charge-at-home electricity for short trips. Toyota quotes a fuel economy figure of 313mpg, which will drop rapidly if the battery goes flat. Recharging takes 2.5 hours using the 7kW onboard charger.
The PHEV automatically adjusts its drive modes for efficiency and features one-pedal driving with three force settings, meaning the car can automatically slow when you lift your foot off the accelerator. Using its satnav, the PHEV can automatically switch to EV mode when driving through built-up areas. This technology needs to be confirmed for the UK.
2024 Toyota C-HR drive, handling and safety features
According to Toyota, the new C-HR will be better to drive than the current model, which is already a neat handler. The firm says the car's suspension, steering and brakes balance poise, ride comfort and responsiveness.
Interestingly, Toyota has paid particular attention to making the C-HR's powertrains more responsive – a criticism in the current model.
New safety features include a system that will stop you from accelerating into the back of the car in front. Top-end versions of the C-HR will also feature lane-change assist, automatic brakes that can detect cars crossing your path and auto-dipping headlights.
These models will also be able to drive autonomously on the motorway and in traffic queues so long as you keep your hands on the steering wheel.
2024 Toyota C-HR price and release date
The new Toyota C-HR is expected to start from more than £30,000, with deliveries beginning at the end of this year. It costs significantly more than alternatives like the SEAT Ateca (from £27,000), but that's not surprising given Toyota's expensive hybrid technology. Plug-in hybrid versions of the Toyota will likely cost closer to £40,000.
High-spec Premier Edition models will be available from launch. They come as standard with a striking Sulphur bi-tone paint job. Inside, you get perforated leather seats with Sulphur stitching, a head-up display and a panoramic glass roof.