Toyota C-HR – Compact High Rider

That’s one of many acronyms and hidden “gems” (more on this later) that make up Toyota’s first Compact SUV. Like the FR-S (Front engine, Rear drive – Sport) of Scion fame and Toyota RAV4 (Recreational Active Vehicle with 4WD), the letters have a meaning to the name. The C-HR is also one of the first of many Toyotas based on TNGA platform.

TNGA: Toyota New Global Architecture

Other benefits for comfort in the TNGA in relation to comfort is the repositioning of the steering wheel and seating materials to provide a more natural position leading to greater comfort and less driver fatigue. Combined with a lower front cowl, which enhances front visibility, this should allow for better safety as well. TNGA will reduce the total global platforms from over 100 to just 5!

This will allow for faster and better vehicle development since fewer individual parts will have to be designed. Plus, the additional savings in time, money and the environment is also a great benefit to all. And with the performance, comfort, safety and user-friendly components covered, Toyota can concentrate on innovative styling that truly is not like anything else ever seen by Toyota before, since more time can be spent on the “clean sheet” design, rather than trying to make something work with an old, outdated platform. This is where the C-HR shines like a diamond.

A Perfect Blend of Performance and Fuel Economy

Even more short forms for you here with the CH-R having a 2.0L 4 cylinder engine featuring Valvematic technology and putting out 144HP at 6100 RPM and 139 lb. ft. of torque at 3800 RPM. The Valvematic (continuously variable valve train mechanism) allows for the valves in the engine to allow for differing levels of air intake and exhaust depending on driver need and pedal input. Basically, you have maximum power instantly when you need it and maximum fuel efficiency when you don’t. Given the weight and size of the vehicle, this translates into a very smooth yet powerful ride without paying a fuel price with the CH-R having a very respectable fuel economy of 8.7L/100kms city and 7.5 L/100kms highway.

But how all that power gets to the ground is even more important. The TNGA platform allows for a naturally more rigid chassis, meaning that less power is lost through torsional twisting and is directed more firmly to the rest of the drive train. Plus the better mounting for the Macpherson strut suspension in the front and double wishbone suspension in the rear means that more power stays on the wheels themselves where it meets the road. This also means that not only do you have a powerful ride, but it is smooth, quiet and extremely comfortable.

The CH-R was entered and did very well at the 24 Hours of Nurburgring. The CH-R placed a credible 84th out of 158 cars in total and finished 3rd in the SP2T class. Lessons learned from this race translated directly into the production model available now and for you to enjoy.

Safety Sense

In Europe, it attained the top safety honours with anticipated likeness with IIHS (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety) ratings in NA (North America). So much so, the insurance company, Aviva, has teamed with Toyota to have discounted rates on vehicles equipped with these items. A much-needed relief, especially for those of us living in Brampton, ON. The XLE Premium also adds BSM (Blind Spot monitoring) and RCTA (Rear Cross Traffic Alert) adding to an already superb safety system. C-HR is also one of the first vehicles in our lineup to offer the soon to be standard all passenger seatbelt warning system, meaning that all occupants will have to buckle up or the driver will be notified.

So the C-HR has it all! Come in now and get your diamond before they get as rare as the real thing.