New Toyota C-HR: Hybrid and Electric – Looking ahead

The Toyota C-HR was first shown in 2015. The compact crossover was then one of the first of its kind and was placed by Toyota somewhere in the gray area between the B and C segments, below the RAV4. Above all, this was the car that had to blow a breath of fresh air at the then somewhat dull Toyota. He did this not only with his exceptionally sharp and still very recognizable body, but also with his driving characteristics. After the first kilometers, colleague Marco Gorter wrote that the C-HR was the nicest Toyota you could buy after the GT86. That says a lot about the C-HR, but also about the Toyota range at the time.

More powerful

Nowadays almost every Toyota drives more or less like a C-HR, for the simple reason that the current models are all now on its TNGA platform. We have also seen high-profile designs at Toyota in recent years, but the C-HR continues to play an important role for the brand, certainly in Europe and in the Netherlands. That is not surprising, because the C-HR fits in well with the wishes of the Dutch buyer. The ‘in-between buddy’ is just right for many, the economical hybrid powertrains keep the price and running costs within limits and the car is reliable and quite practical too. Toyota would therefore be crazy to rigorously change tack again and is expected to come next year with a completely new, but nevertheless recognizable C-HR.

The drawings you see on this page probably give a very good idea of ​​that car. They are based on patent sketches that have surfaced from the archive, on which the car that is presumably the C-HR can already be seen extensively. The design certainly does not violate the concept of the C-HR. According to tradition, C-HR stands for ‘Coupe High Rider’ and the new one also has a few coupe-like elements. Just look at those remarkably short rear doors, or the still very flat rear window. At the same time, the design is also completely new.

Toyota C-HR (2023) – Illustration: Larson

The new C-HR looks more powerful and serious than the outgoing model. By applying more horizontal, straight lines, the design is also a bit tighter, although this is partly compensated by the Aygo X-like two-tone color scheme. The C-shaped headlights are not standalone, but we will see more Toyotas in the future. A major complaint about the current C-HR is the situation in the back seat. There it is spacious enough, but because of the small side window very little light enters. With the new it seems that the differently shaped side window party is slightly better for each other, although we secretly hope for a panoramic roof (perhaps as an option) to light up the interior as a whole.

Hybrid and electric C-HR

Toyota recently presented a refined version of the Corolla, with new versions of the 1.8 Hybrid and 2.0 Hybrid powertrains. We also expect that for the C-HR, which is already available in two hybrid versions. Count on 140 hp in the new model for the 1.8, which will undoubtedly be the most popular version in the Netherlands. The two-liter comes out at 196 hp. Both cars ‘lean’ more strongly on their electric motor while driving, so that acceleration should feel easier. If you don’t think hybrid is electric enough, you can probably also go to the new C-HR. The model from the patent sketches already appeared in December 2021 at the presentation of a huge fleet of fully electric models. The ‘Small SU EV’, which was briefly shown at the time, therefore seems to be a harbinger of a fully electric C-HR, which is also available in China in the form of the current C-HR.

For the Netherlands, a fully electric C-HR would be a welcome addition, bringing the car even more than now into the waters of the apparently endlessly popular Kia Niro. As with that car, an electric version of the C-HR will differ from its hybrid brothers on the outside in detail. Think of a closed grille with creative padding and a modified rear bumper without an exhaust recess, but certainly not a completely different body.

The current Toyota C-HR

2023

With its six years of life, the current C-HR has already reached the end of its life according to the usual Toyota schedule. However, the new model has not yet been spotted in a camouflaged form, as is common with cars that will be introduced soon. Still, we are sticking to an introduction in 2023 for the time being, because this segment is too important not to stay sharp as a manufacturer. The EV may follow later, but the many drivers of a hybrid C-HR can then at least go on the road in a completely new model.