2020 Toyota C-HR Review
The 2020 Toyota C-HR doesn’t toe the corporate line like its showroom stablemates. Across the ground sits the comparatively conventional Corolla hatchback and RAV4 crossover, between which the C-HR slots with its funky looks and quirky personality.
Fun fact: Underneath, all three are just about an equivalent car. We rate the 2020 C-HR at 5.5 out of 10, a figure derived from weighing its comfortable ride and good value against subpar outward vision and unimpressive fuel economy. (Read more about how we rate cars.)
Available in LE, XLE, and Limited trim levels, the 2020 C-HR boasts a couple of more features this year and a cleaner look outside that doesn’t change its outlook. It’s the nonconformist of the pack.
A 2.0-liter inline-4 routes just 144 horsepower forward through a continuously variable automatic drive (CVT). There’s no manual and no all-wheel drive, and there’s not much zeal, either. The C-HR maybe a leisurely performer, which comes as something of a surprise given its modest 29-mpg combined rating from the EPA. Competitors with all-wheel drive are more miserly.
Where the C-HR earns our respect is in its plush ride and beefy steering. It’s almost fun to drive, but almost.
That attention-grabbing styling takes a toll on utility, especially for rear-seat riders stuck within the cramped second row. Outward vision isn’t excellent, either, and therefore the C-HR doesn’t offer an enormous amount of cargo utility.
Its feature count is high, especially when it involves safety gear. The C-HR comes standard with adaptive control, automatic high-beam headlights, and automatic emergency braking, features some competitors still count as extra-cost options. Crash-test results are good, too.
Newly standard this year is Android Auto compatibility, which joins Apple CarPlay to require command of the 8.0-inch touchscreen. That’s an honest thing since Toyota’s built-in interface is simply average.
For around $22,500, the bottom C-HR LE may be a decent value, as long as the snow isn’t within the forecast
Our verdict
The C-HR is well built and returns good fuel economy. Unfortunately, it's slow. Very slow. This characteristic hinders what's otherwise a likable subcompact crossover SUV.
How does it drive?
It's difficult to recommend a vehicle as sluggish because of the Toyota C-HR. Its four-cylinder engine simply can't muster enough power to urge the C-HR to go with any authority. At Edmunds' test track, we logged a 0-60 mph time of 10.6 seconds. That's slower than other small crossovers and hatchbacks. It's even slower than a Toyota Prius.
But the C-HR holds its own in other categories. The pedal is straightforward to modulate, so it is easy to prevent smoothly, and therefore the steering is straightforward to twirl around at low speeds and accurate in sporty situations. The C-HR is additionally somewhat entertaining to drive on a twisty road albeit there is a distinct lack of grip from the tires.
How comfortable is it?
The C-HR's seats are well cushioned and supportive, and therefore the suspension smooths out most bumps within the road. The cabin of the C-HR may be a pleasant place to be whether you are a driver or passenger.
That said, the C-HR isn't built for fewer than perfect conditions. We noticed that larger patches of rough pavement can easily upset the ride quality and make tons of noise within the cabin. it is not alright insulated from outside noise, and any wind gusts stronger than a light-weight breeze are quite loud inside.
How’s the interior?
Getting in and out of the C-HR is straightforward because of its elevated seating position. There's also much headroom up front. The rear seats have enough room to stay regular-size adults in decent comfort, but the thick rear roof pillars may make them feel a touch claustrophobic.
The C-HR's simple control layout is attractive, and therefore the main controls are easy to work for the foremost part. But a number of the more advanced features like the adaptive control are a touch harder to work out. It's pretty easy to ascertain out of the front of the C-HR, but those thick rear roof pillars obscure your view to the rear.
How’s the tech?
The C-HR comes with an 8-inch touchscreen that's simple to read and operate through the menus. It connects with both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphones, and an efficient navigation system is out there. The sound system provides decent clarity, but the sound quality, especially for songs with thumping bass, quickly degrades when the quantity rises.
We're fans of the driving force safety aids included within the Toyota Safety Sense P (TSS-P) package, which is standard on all C-HR models. The lane-keeping alert system are often overzealous in its warnings when you're driving on a twisty road, but it's otherwise helpful. The adaptive control is extremely good at reducing driver fatigue in heavy traffic and may bring the vehicle right down to a smooth stop.
How’s the storage?
Storage space is tight inside the C-HR. Rear trunk space is about average for the category at 19 cubic feet. you'll fold down the rear seats to access 36.4 cubic feet of capacity, but that figure ranks low compared to the competition. Space for little items is adequate upfront, though the middle console is merely average size. The cupholders are on the tiny side and awkwardly positioned.
Planning to put kids within the back? seat anchors are positioned well, but there's little room to put in a rear-facing child safety seat without moving the front seats forward. Overall the C-HR is compromised by its quirky shape and size, and Toyota didn't bring any of its trademark smart storage solutions to the table.
How economical is it?
The EPA estimates fuel economy at 29 mpg combined (27 city/31 highway), which is about average for the category. We found the rating accurate, and even exceeded it with a mean of 33.9 mpg on our 115-mile mixed-driving evaluation route.
Is it an honest value?
The C-HR offers solid build quality and distinctive materials for the category. We also just like the amount of ordinary safety equipment Toyota includes and therefore the two free years of care. But the C-HR isn't as affordably priced as some value-minded competitors.
Which C-HR does Edmunds recommend?
The midgrade XLE trim gets our recommendation. It brings keyless entry, blind-spot monitoring, and bigger alloy wheels at an inexpensive price. Shoppers in colder climates might want to intensify to the Limited, primarily for the heated leather seats.
Toyota C-HR models
The Toyota C-HR is out there in three trim levels, starting with the LE, which is more competitive against other subcompact crossovers when it involves price. The XLE adds a couple of niceties and safety features, while the highest Limited trim gets you leather upholstery, upgraded front seats, and a few additional tech features. Every C-HR is powered by a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine (144 horsepower, 139 lb-ft of torque) matched to front-wheel drive and a continuously variable automatic drive.
Standard features for the bottom LE trim include 17-inch steel wheels (alloys are optional), automatic LED headlights, heated mirrors, a rear spoiler, remote keyless entry, adjustable driving modes, dual-zone automatic climate control, cloth upholstery, 60/40-split-folding rear seats, a cargo cover, an 8-inch touchscreen, a rearview camera, Bluetooth phone and streaming audio, a USB port, a Wi-Fi hotspot, remote vehicle controls, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, Amazon Alexa integration, and a six-speaker sound system with satellite radio.
Several advanced safety and convenience features also are standard, including automatic high beams, adaptive control, lane-keeping assist, and forward-collision warning with automatic emergency braking.
The XLE trim upgrades to 18-inch alloy wheels, power-folding mirrors, keyless ignition and entry, a leather-wrapped wheel, and blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert.
The top-of-the-line Limited trim gets you adaptive headlights, foglights, leather upholstery, heated front seats, and two-way power lumbar for the driver's seat. An upgraded infotainment system that adds HD radio is out there for the XLE and Limited trims.
Engine, Transmission, and Performance
The C-HR's four-cylinder could use a turbocharger or a supercharger—or even an enormous can of Red Bull—as it's incapable of hustling this crossover up to hurry with anything approaching enthusiasm. In our testing, the C-HR was only ready to muster an 11.0-second saunter from zero to 60 mph, and it's significantly slower than most of its rivals. When driving normally around town, the shortage of power is well disguised because of a responsive throttle that launches you eagerly off the road. But put your right foot deep within the accelerator and therefore the engine revs to its peak and stays there, droning on while you await the continuously variable automatic drive (CVT) to regulate its ratios during a futile plan to provide rapid progress. Over bumps, the C-HR delivers a comfortable ride, but it is not a standout during this segment. The suspension quickly rebounds after large road imperfections but hit a stretch of patched or broken pavement at speed and you're treated to a cacophony of noise; harsh bumps send reverberations throughout the cabin. The C-HR's steering feels accurate, and its front wheels respond on to commands. Handling is lively, body roll is well controlled, and therefore the C-HR feels playful from behind the wheel.
Safety
Our experts’ favorite C-HR safety features:
Toyota C-HR 2020 Price
Toyota
C-HR 2020 LE
MSRP $21,295
Toyota
C-HR 2020 XLE
MSRP $23,330
Toyota
C-HR 2020 Limited MSRP $26,350
Full-Range Dynamic Radar control
Maintains a group distance between the C-HR and therefore the car ahead while control is active. Can bring the C-HR to an entire stop.
Pre-Collision System
Warns the driving force when it approaches an object ahead too quickly. Automatically applies the brakes to stop or reduce potential impacts.
Lane Departure Alert w/ Steering Assist
Alerts the driving force if the C-HR wanders out of its lane and may make gentle steering corrections.
NHTSA Overall Rating
The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.
Toyota C-HR vs. the competition
Toyota C-HR vs. Hyundai Kona
The Hyundai Kona is our top-rated subcompact crossover, and for an honest reason. Its turbocharged engine is noticeably quicker than the C-HR, and sharper handling makes it more enjoyable to drive, too. like all Hyundai vehicles, you get tons of ordinary features for the cash, alongside the foremost generous warranty within the industry.
Compare Toyota C-HR & Hyundai Kona features⇒
Toyota C-HR vs. Kia Soul
The boxy-chic Kia Soul may be a close second in our rankings, delivering tons for the cash. It's more squared-off shape provides more interior space than other crossovers, and you furthermore may get plenty of ordinary features. It certainly doesn't hurt that the Soul is additionally fun to drive. Keeping it from the highest spot in a few excessive wind and road noise on the highway and a few awkward transmission responses from the highest turbo model.
Compare Toyota C-HR & Kia Soul features⇒
Toyota C-HR vs. Honda HR-V
Honda's HR-V gets high marks for its versatility, clever storage solutions, large cargo capacity, and efficient engine. Unfortunately, a byproduct of its admirable fuel economy is lackluster acceleration, though it's still more responsive than the C-HR. The HR-V should also gain a plus for shoppers in wet and cold climates with its available all-wheel drive, which the Toyota doesn't offer.
Compare Toyota C-HR & Honda HR-V features⇒
More about the 2020 Toyota C-HR
Our Review Process
This review was written by a member of Edmunds' editorial team of expert car reviewers. Our team drives every car you'll buy. We put the vehicles through rigorous testing, evaluating how they drive and comparing them intimately to their competitors.
We're also regular people such as you, so we concentrate on all or any of the various ways people use their cars a day. we would like to understand if there's enough room for our families and our weekend gear and whether or not our favorite drink fits within the cupholder. Our editors want to assist you to create the simplest decision on a car that matches your life.
What is the MPG of a 2020 Toyota C-HR?
2020 Toyota C-HR XLE 4dr SUV (2.0L 4cyl CVT), continuously variable-speed automatic, regular unleaded
29 combined MPG,
27 city MPG/31 Highway MPG
2020 Toyota C-HR LE 4dr SUV (2.0L 4cyl CVT), continuously variable-speed automatic, regular unleaded
29 combined MPG,
27 city MPG/31 Highway MPG
2020 Toyota C-HR Limited 4dr SUV (2.0L 4cyl CVT), continuously variable-speed automatic, regular unleaded
29 combined MPG,
27 city MPG/31 Highway MPG
Should I lease or buy a 2020 Toyota C-HR?
Is it better to lease or buy a car? Ask most of the people and they'll probably tell you that car buying is that the thanks to go. And from a financial perspective, it's true, provided you're willing to form higher monthly payments, pay off the loan fully and keep the car for a couple of years. Leasing, on the opposite hand, is often a less costly option on a month-to-month basis. it is also good if you're someone who likes to drive a replacement car every three years approximately.