Toyota C-HR (2023) – Back to Basics

Toyota C-HR 1.8 Hybrid Active – €37,295

The new one could of course not be as revolutionary as the first Toyota C-HR, but as an evolution it has certainly succeeded in our opinion. The second generation Toyota C-HR is more modern in everything, but still recognizable. You should not expect the trendy Bi-Tone color schemes with a black roof or even a completely black rear end with the basic version any more than the new plug-in hybrid powertrain. For just over 37 grand you get the Toyota C-HR as a 1.8 Hybrid (without plug) with 140 hp, linked to the Active equipment level.

Striking: the cheapest color is white, but also the most expensive. Unicoat ‘Pure White’ is a free option, while ‘Platinum White Pearl’ is slightly more expensive at €1,350 than the metallic paints from the rest of the range. We opt for plain white, for the real Back to Basics feeling. The Active comes standard with very nice 17-inch alloys and also comes with LED headlights as standard, but of the simple reflector type.

You can also whistle at the C-shaped daytime running lights, because the daytime running lights here are simply simple bars in the top lighting layer. Toyota also seems to use old-fashioned light bulbs for the turn signals, at least at the front. At the rear, the fully illuminated LED bar is actually standard. We sometimes see this differently at Toyota: the Yaris Cross and the Corolla Cross have very simple light units in basic trim, of which only a small part actually lights up.

The seats and rear seats of the C-HR Active are covered with a combination of gray and black fabric that you will not find in more expensive versions, but which, judging by the photos, is far from ugly. The driver’s seat is nicely height-adjustable, but unfortunately the passenger seat is not in this version. The lumbar support in the driver’s seat is also missing. A screen in front of you and a screen in the middle both get a check mark, but are smaller than more expensive versions. Here you have to make do with 7 and 8 inches respectively, while more richly equipped C-HRs can display 12.3 inch screens. However, navigation is still present in the basic C-HR, just like the wireless version of Android Auto and Apple Carplay. Neat. Of course there is air conditioning, but automatic climate control is not possible with this version. As always, Toyota receives a compliment for fitting an extensive Safety Sense package as standard, which makes things such as adaptive cruise control standard on the C-HR.

For an overview, we have listed the equipment of the Toyota C-HR Active for you. The car does have this:

• 17-inch alloy
• Air conditioning
• Fabric upholstery black/grey
• LED reflector headlights
• LED lighting at the rear
• 6 speakers
• 7-inch screen in instrument cluster
• 8-inch touchscreen
• Navigation
• Wireless Android Auto and Apple Carplay
• Reversing camera
• Toyota Safety Sense including adaptive cruise control

And the Toyota C-HR Active does not have this:

• Climate control
• Lumbar support
• Seat heating
• Height-adjustable passenger seat
• Rain sensor
• Electrically folding exterior mirrors
• Keyless entry
• USB-C connection in the back
• Large 12.3-inch touchscreen

accessories

The nice thing about the Toyota configurator is that you can not only go wild with engines, colors and versions, but also with accessories. A huge range of separately mounted items are already available for the new C-HR, which usually also become visible in the configurator after selection. With ‘skid plates’, four mud flaps, roof racks, ski racks, a tow bar and running boards, even a basic C-HR suddenly looks pretty cool, although it is actually no longer ‘basic’.

Toyota C-HR

Toyota C-HR