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 January 2025, the Toyota C-HR holds a New Car Expert Rating of A with a score of 76%. Its fairly average review scores are aided by low emissions, good safety credentials and running cost estimations.
- Toyota C-HR (2016 to 2023) – Expert Rating
- More Toyota Expert Ratings, new car reviews, news and features
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.
The Car Expert
Model reviewed: 2.0-litre petrol/electric hybrid Premiere Edition
Score: 6.8 / 10
“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.”
Author: Trinity Francis
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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
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
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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Carwow
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“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.”
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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
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.”
Read review
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
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%
Independent economy and emissions ratings from Green NCAP
No eco rating
As of January 2025, the Toyota C-HR has not been lab tested by Green NCAP.
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 January 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.
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 |
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 | 23 | B | 20 – 29 | A – C |
Service and maintenance | Cost | Score |
Year 1 | £216 | B |
Year 2 | £546 | B |
Year 3 | £876 | B |
Year 4 | £1,061 | B |
Year 5 | £1,393 | B |
Overall | £4,092 | B |
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.
Similar cars
If you’re looking at the Toyota C-HR, you might also be interested in these alternatives.
Citroën C5 Aircross | Ford Kuga | Honda ZR-V | Hyundai Tucson | Jeep Compass | Kia Niro | Mazda CX-30 | MG HS | Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross | Nissan Qashqai | Peugeot 3008 | Renault Arkana | SEAT Ateca | Skoda Karoq | Subaru XV | Suzuki S-Cross | Vauxhall Grandland | Volkswagen Tiguan
- Toyota C-HR (2016 to 2023) – Expert Rating
- More Toyota Expert Ratings, new car reviews, news and features
More information
More news, reviews and information about the Toyota C-HR at The Car Expert
Buy a Toyota C-HR
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Lease a Toyota C-HR
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