Skip advert
Advertisement

Toyota C-HR review - Entertaining Qashqai alternative - Toyota C-HR design

Lacks the performance to do justice to a capable chassis, but there's still plenty to like about the C-HR

Evo rating
RRP
from £21,065
  • Impressive ride/handling balance, clever rev-matching tech
  • Engines lack performance and enthusiasm, claustrophobic rear cabin

Design

The C-HR’s exterior styling is the most dramatic we’ve seen since the Nissan Juke, and will be a love-it or hate-it factor for potential owners. We’re actually on the positive side of this divide; if manufacturers absolutely must offer crossovers, then they might as well be interesting to look at, and the C-HR is certainly that.

Advertisement - Article continues below

It’s hard to know where to start, but there are plenty of themes here: A squat, chunky stance, a fastback-style roof line, high-mounted headlights and tail lights, a nicely balanced profile, sharp lines, a “floating” roof, and a sharply rising waistline.

The side panels feature a dramatic swoop that starts over the front wheelarch, sinks to below the beltline and rises again towards the rear, while a contrasting black panel rises up from the sills to pinch the C-HR’s waist and remove some of its visual bulk.

It does get less weird the longer you look at it, and it makes the SEAT Atecas and Nissan Qashqais of this world seem a little bland. How well it will age remains to be seen, though the similarly unusual Nissan Juke looks no less dramatic today than it did the day it was launched.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

Audi R8 V8 (2007 - 2015) review – the Porsche 911’s equal is a bargain super sports car
Audi R8 V8
Reviews

Audi R8 V8 (2007 - 2015) review – the Porsche 911’s equal is a bargain super sports car

The Audi R8’s launch was perhaps one of the biggest moments in 2000s performance motoring. It’s as sweet today as back then
9 Sep 2025
£200k is a lot for a new 911 Turbo so here are some used options
Used Porsche 911 Turbo
News

£200k is a lot for a new 911 Turbo so here are some used options

The new 992.2 Turbo S has supercar-slaying performance and a bona fide supercar price. Pay less for a used one and get very nearly as much performance…
11 Sep 2025
Toyota GR Yaris Aero Performance pack detailed – Japan has all the fun yet again
Toyota GR Yaris with aero pack
News

Toyota GR Yaris Aero Performance pack detailed – Japan has all the fun yet again

We’re not getting the option of an Aero Performance pack in the UK. We’re still poring over the details, though
12 Sep 2025