Bold is old

Toyota's C-HR compact crossover fails to deliver beyond initial shock and awe

The Toyota C-HR has quick and sharp steering, fine roadholding and a compact body.
The Toyota C-HR has quick and sharp steering, fine roadholding and a compact body. ST PHOTO: SEAH KWANG PENG
The Toyota C-HR has quick and sharp steering, fine roadholding and a compact body.
The Toyota C-HR has quick and sharp steering, fine roadholding and a compact body. ST PHOTO: SEAH KWANG PENG

If a design is too clever or too busy, it may be a hit initially, but it is also likely to fizzle quickly. The Toyota C-HR is proof of that.

When the car was unveiled 13 months ago at the Singapore Motorshow last year, it stood out as bold, edgy and radical. Today, it comes across as something that might have been penned by a design student who is trying too hard. It looks a tad tired, with styling elements pulling in every direction.

It is still a striking car, though, in that nothing else on the road resembles it in the least.

Besides the test of time, a good design should also withstand the test of repetition. It should still be pleasing when you see it for the hundredth time, the thousandth time. In this respect, the C-HR, being the runaway success that it has been as a parallel import, does not quite shine either.

But design is a very personal thing. Going by the sustained popularity of the model, it would seem the car is still a hit.

The version offered by authorised Toyota agent Borneo Motors is a 1.2-litre turbo and differs from the 1.8-litre hybrid variant sold by parallel importers.

  • SPECS / TOYOTA C-HR 1.2T (LUXURY TWO-TONE)

  • Price: $126,988 with COE

    Engine: 1,197cc 16-valve inline-4 turbocharged

    Transmission: Continuously variable transmission with manual select

    Power: 114bhp at 5,200rpm

    Torque: 185Nm at 1,500-4,000rpm

    0-100kmh: 11.1 seconds

    Top speed: 185kmh

    Fuel consumption: 6.4 litres/100km

    Agent: Borneo Motors

For a turbo, the C-HR 1.2T is less zesty than expected. It makes only 114bhp and 185Nm - figures you would associate with a non-turbo. But it suits the local context because the car falls in certificate of entitlement (COE) Category A, which has a 1,600cc displacement cap as well as a 130bhp power cap.

While this may give it some commercial competitiveness against the parallel imported version, it makes the C-HR far less enticing to those who yearn for performance.

For instance, it does not have a clear edge over the Honda HR-V, which is powered by a 1.5-litre normally-aspirated engine.

And when compared with Hyundai's newly launched Kona, it pales in comparison. The Kona has a 1.6-litre turbo engine making 174hp and 265Nm. It hits 100kmh in 7.9 seconds and a top speed of 205kmh.

The C-HR - for "coupe-high rider" - clocks an 11.1-second century sprint and a top velocity of 185kmh. At the wheel, the power deficit is obvious. But the Toyota still manages to come across as fairly zippy, thanks to the car's continuously variable transmission.

It is also agile and nimble, traits attributable to its quick and sharp steering, fine roadholding and compact body.

Having said that, side rear visibility is not great, with the view partially blocked by the car's thick C-pillar. Thankfully, the test-car has blindspot warning.

The test unit, a Luxury variant, is highly equipped. Besides blindspot warning, it has lane departure warning, automatic high beam, adaptive cruise control, electric parking brake with auto hold and release, and seven airbags.

These make the C-HR the best-equipped Category A car here. It would have been better if that was backed up by a higher level of trim.

Compared with the up-and-coming South Korean cars in the same price segment, the Toyota comes across as plasticky and lacking in refinement.

For instance, the gear lever release - a frequent touch point - has a crusty 1990s feel to it. Also, the car's music system has a poor sound quality .

But visually, the cabin looks great. At least for now.

Correction note: An earlier version of the story wrongly listed the Toyota C-HR's agent. The story has been updated to reflect the correct agent, which is Borneo Motors. We are sorry for the error.

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on February 10, 2018, with the headline Toyota's C-HR compact crossover fails to deliver beyond initial shock and awe. Subscribe