Name: Toyota C-HR (2023 onwards) | Expert Rating | The Car Expert
Item: Toyota C-HR
Rating: 75.0

Summary

The Toyota C-HR is a medium-sized SUV/crossover. This is the second-generation model, which arrived in the UK towards the end of 2023 and is only available as a hybrid. Plug-in hybrid versions are set to arrive in the near future.

Reviewers agree that the new C-HR is an improvement over the original model – a frugal family car that is both comfortable and rather fun to drive.

“If you’re after a distinctive but efficient SUV with a raised driving position and an easy drive, it’s well worth a look”, says Parker‘s Alan Taylor-Jones, who adds that those in need of a “properly practical family wagon” should look elsewhere – referring to the car’s rather cramped rear seats and limited seating flexibility.

As of May 2025, the Toyota C-HR holds a New Car Expert Rating of A with a score of 75%. It scores top marks for its excellent safety rating and low CO₂ emissions, while its running costs are also low. However, its media review scores to date have been poor.

C-HR highlights

Efficient hybrid engines
Comfortable driving experience
Appealing exterior looks

C-HR lowlights

Rivals are more practical
Alternatives are cheaper
A bit noisy on the move

Key specifications

Body style: Small SUV/crossover
Engines: petrol-electric hybrid
Price: From £31,290 on-road

Launched: Winter 2023/24
Last updated: N/A
Replacement due: TBA

Image gallery

Media reviews

Highlighted reviews and road tests from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.

Featured reviews

“The second-generation Toyota C-HR delivers on curb appeal but its sloping roofline makes its good looks slightly less practical at the rear of the vehicle.”

Model reviewed: 2.0-litre petrol/electric hybrid Premiere Edition

Score: 6.8 / 10

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The Car Expert

Trinity Francis

“The Toyota C-HR is a comfortable small SUV that’s good fun to drive, but the engines are pretty noisy and it’s not very practical.”

Model reviewed: Range overview

Score: 8 / 10

Read full review

Carwow

Darren Cassey

More reviews

Auto Express

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“The bold Toyota C-HR combines strong equipment levels, high efficiency, and lots of safety features, but it’ll cost you.”
Author: Max Adams
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Model reviewed: 2.0-liter petrol/electric plug-in hybrid Excel
Score: 8 / 10
“The Toyota C-HR gets a plug to boost efficiency and lower costs but it’s a better company car than it is a private one.”
Author: John McIlroy
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Model reviewed: 2.0-liter petrol/electric hybrid GR Sport
Score: 7 / 10
“The second-generation Toyota C-HR has great real-world efficiency, a nicely finished cabin, solid interior tech and enough of the funky styling touches that made the Mk1 such a hit. But this GR Sport version is probably the weakest of the breed. You’re paying a lot here for some styling add-ons and some extra power that might make the car more comfortable at speed, but does not add any greater involvement.”
Author: John McIlroy
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Auto Trader

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“The second-generation Toyota C-HR is truly striking to look at, and it’s almost as nice on the inside too. Available initially as a hybrid, and later on as a plug-in hybrid, it promises some seriously low running costs, even with current fuel prices. Space in the back is pretty tight, though, and it looks expensive even compared to other similarly specified Toyotas, let alone rivals from Kia, Hyundai and Ford.”
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Car

Model reviewed: 2.0-litre petrol/electric plug-in hybrid
Score: 6 / 10
“Deciding whether the Toyota C-HR plug-in hybrid is the right car for you will depend on your circumstances. If you need a car to transport your family and all their clobber, you can probably do better. But if you want something that’s comfortable to sit in, interesting to look at and cheap to fuel, the Toyota C-HR plug-in hybrid could be ideal for you.”
Author: Luke Wilkinson
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Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 6 / 10
“It takes all the best bits of the old car, improves on those, and undoes many of its main failings. If cars were bought purely on rational grounds, the C-HR wouldn’t get a look in against legions of Skoda Kamiq, Nissan Juke and Ford Puma out there – but it does, and that’s undoubtedly going to continue.”
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Carbuyer

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 7.6 / 10
“The Toyota C-HR is an attractive and efficient SUV that should prove reliable, but it’s not very practical and can get pricey.”
Author: Andy Goodwin, John McIlroy
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Electrifying.com

Model reviewed: plug-in hybrid
Score: 7 / 10
“Well-mannered, efficient and funky to look at, there are a lot of things going for the Toyota C-HR Plug-in Hybrid but practicality isn’t one of them.”
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Heycar

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“The revised Toyota C-HR is a better car to drive than its predecessor. Considering Toyota has already sold 840,000 units of the original model, it’s easy to see just how much appeal this car will have to existing C-HR converts who already know of its powertrain quirks and compromises on the roominess front.”
Author: Rob Clymo
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Honest John

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“The Toyota C-HR hits the spot looks-wise and it’s enjoyable to drive. Either engine gets the job done, but both feel over-animated if they’re pushed. It’s a comprehensive package, though, despite compromises on interior space.”
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Parkers

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 6.6 / 10
“If you’re after a distinctive but efficient SUV with a raised driving position and an easy drive, it’s well worth a look. If you’re in need of a properly practical family wagon or you’re after fun, go elsewhere.”
Author: Alan Taylor-Jones
Read review

The Telegraph

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 6 / 10
“Having found itself with a hit on its hands, Toyota has now added plug-in hybrid tech, new styling and a better user interface to its SUV.”
Author: Andrew English
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Top Gear

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 7 / 10
“The Toyota C-HR has neat if unsporty handling, and is well-mannered in normal mooching around. It’s refined too, and the safety gadget count is high.”
Read review

Safety rating

Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP

Overall score: 5 stars
Date tested: April 2024
Read the full Euro NCAP review

Adult protection: 85%
Child protection: 86%
Vulnerable road users: 86%
Safety assist: 79%

Eco rating

Independent economy and emissions ratings from Green NCAP

No eco rating

As of May 2025, the Toyota C-HR has not been lab tested by Green NCAP.

Reliability rating

Reliability data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by MotorEasy

No reliability rating

The Toyota C-HR is a fairly new model, so as of May 2025 we don’t have enough reliability data on the crossover to generate a reliability rating.

The Car Expert’s reliability information is provided exclusively to us using workshop and extended warranty data from our partner, MotorEasy, sourced from both official dealerships and independent workshops.

As soon as MotorEasy has sufficient data on the C-HR, we’ll publish the results here.

Running cost rating

Monthly cost of ownership data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by Clear Vehicle Data

Fuel consumption	Average	Score	Variation	Score
Hybrid models	58 mpg	B	58 – 60 mpg	A – B
Plug-in hybrid models	325 mpg	A	314 – 353 mpg	A – A

CO₂ output	Average	Score	Variation	Score
Hybrid models	109 g/km	A	105 – 111 g/km	A – A
Plug-in hybrid models	19 g/km	A	19 – 20 g/km	A – A

Battery range	Average	Score	Variation	Score
Plug-in hybrid models	41 miles	D	41 – 42 miles	D – D

Insurance group	Average	Score	Variation	Score
All models	25	B	20 – 29	A – C

Service and maintenance	Cost	Score
Year 1	£204	B
Year 2	£516	B
Year 3	£828	B
Year 4	£1,008	A
Year 5	£1,322	A
Overall	£3,878	A

The Toyota C-HR is a relatively affordable car to own and run, according to whole-life cost numbers provided exclusively to The Car Expert by our data partner, Clear Vehicle Data.

The hybrid’s fuel economy sits above the market average, and its battery range is decent for a hybrid too. Insurance premiums are comparatively low and service and maintenance costs over the course of five years of ownership should be pretty affordable.