Toyota C-HR - All you need to know about the diamond inspired crossover

The story named Toyota C-HR started in August 2017, when the Japanese automaker hosted a public preview for its new creation. Over the next few months, the C-HR continued its visit to different Malaysia cities, leaving onlookers longing for more. It was later that year, when its Malaysian launch was confirmed and we catch hold of its speculated price-list. In the meanwhile, the C-HR continued to awe the global audience, in China, it even grabbed the title of best-selling crossover. At the 2017 Frankfurt Motor Show, Toyota previewed a hybrid power concept of this hot cross.

Fast forward, in January 2018 UMW Toyota Motor (UMWT) announced that the all-new C-HR is open for bookings. With price starting from RM137,299 without insurance, this car is a CUB import from Thailand. It was only in late-March, at the Toyota Gazoo Racing Festival when first 50 customers were handed the keys of their brand-new C-HR. According to Ravindran Kurusamy, President UMWT, buyers interest in CH-R is only growing by the day and until March the dealers received around 1500 bookings for the model.

The current scenario suggests that the Toyota C-HR is one of the most stylish, desirable, and in-demand crossovers. Any Malaysian looking to buy a crossover that leaves both the onlookers and driver amazed, the C-HR is the car to take home.

Helping you in the car buying decision, here’s all you need to know about the C-HR -

• The C-HR is the second Toyota badged car after Prius to underpin the TNGA platform that comes with double wishbone rear suspension
• Thanks to the said platform, the car delivers a comfortable and quieter cabin experience along with better handling and safety
  Compared to its direct competitors, Honda HR-V and Mazda CX-3, the C-HR dimensions, i.e. 4,360 mm X 1,795 mm X 1,565 mm (L X W X H) are better in every front. The car is 66 mm longer and 23 mm wider than HR-V. Its wheelbase is 70 mm and 30 mm longer than Mazda CX-3 and Honda HR-V respectively

• Toyota is said to follow the ‘Distinctive Diamond’ design theme. And both C-HRs exterior and interior are decorated with geometric shapes
• The car features an athletic stance that along with its muscular body gives it a structure that no other car in the segment portrays
• A few highlighting features on the exterior are - sloping roofline, hidden rear door handles, swollen wheel-arches, twin spoiler, and boomerang tail lamps
• Keeping the spark alive, the C-HRs cabin showcases many cuts and angles. One can easily feel the ‘Diamond’ design philosophy put into use by noticing the shapes on the door inserts, leather seats, speaker grilles, button cluster, and even on the roof line
• The dashboard is slime and sweeping. It houses a freestanding touchscreen head unit, air con system and its control panel

• The 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system is a bit asymmetrical and houses a digital clock towards its right. It supports voice recognition, HDMI, internet browsing, and USB, Bluetooth, and smartphone connectivity
• In the list of cabin amenities are included perforated leather seats, push start-stop button, dual-zone automatic climate control, 4.2-inch color multi-information display, electronic rear view mirror, and 60:40 split rear seat
• Compared to the HR-V, Toyota’s crossover displays a crunched boot space that measures 388 litres compared to Honda’s 437 litres

• In Malaysia, Toyota offers the C-HR in only one variant, i.e, 1.8L AT.
• As for the engine spec, the 1.8-litre four-cylinder naturally aspirated 2ZR-FBE Dual VVT-i unit produces a maximum power of 140 PS along with a peak torque of 171 Nm
• The power flows through CVT automatic gearbox with seven-speed ‘Sequential Shiftmatic’ manual mode
• Toyota C-HR comes with three driving mode - ECO, NORMAL, and SPORT. While the first option optimises fuel usage, the normal mode offers best of both worlds - efficiency and performance. The sport mode, on the other hand, sharpens the throttle response
• In April 2018, the C-HR grabbed ASEAN-NCAP 5-star rating for adult safety

• Providing passengers with full-blown safety cover are features like - 7-airbags, Vehicle Stability Control, Traction Control System, Hill-Start Assist Control, Front & Rear Parking Sensor, Electronic Parking Brake & Auto Brake Hold, Tyre Pressure Monitoring System, and Anti-Lock Braking System

All-in-all Toyota C-HR is a crossover with distinctive styling and crisp performance. It is a car that looks good, is affordable, plus comes with an age-old brand’s reliability and quality assurance.