2020 Toyota C-HR

Overview

Its wild styling, coupe-like body, and bright exterior-color choices will earn the 2020 C-HR plenty of admiring looks, but from behind the wheel, Toyota's smallest SUV is a bore. Its four-cylinder engine provides little power and acceleration is uninspiring at best; the C-HR is a front-wheel-drive-only affair with all-wheel drive appearing nowhere on the options sheet. The underpowered powertrain is at least fuel efficient, earning 37 mpg on our highway fuel-economy test route. Still, other small SUVs are probably better buys, especially those with larger cargo areas and more passenger space. The C-HR presents a good value—Toyota offers a long list of standard features—but so do many of its rivals that are better packages overall.

Where This Vehicle Ranks

#15 in Best Subcompact SUVs for 2020

1

Mazda CX-30

STARTING AT: $23,000

SHOP CX-30

2

Hyundai Kona

STARTING AT: $21,440

SHOP Kona

3

Kia Soul

STARTING AT: $18,610

SHOP Soul

4

Hyundai Venue

STARTING AT: $18,525

SHOP Venue

5

Subaru Crosstrek

STARTING AT: $23,155

SHOP Crosstrek

15

Toyota C-HR

STARTING AT: $22,470

SHOP C-HR

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What's New for 2020?

Toyota's smallest SUV receives a light styling refresh for 2020 in the form of an updated front bumper, grille, and headlamps, as well as new wheel designs. The base LE trim now comes standard with Android Auto capability, LED headlamps, and SiriusXM satellite radio; mid-range XLE models now come with front seatback pockets and sun-visor extensions. An eight-way power-adjustable driver's seat and adaptive headlamp system are now part of the Limited model's standard equipment list. The C-HR can be had in two new exterior colors: Supersonic Red and Hot Lava; a contrasting silver-colored roof is also now an option.

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Pricing and Which One to Buy

It's not a huge step up from LE to XLE in terms of price, so we'd suggest you treat yourself. The XLE adds plenty of features that make it worth the increased price, including 18-inch wheels, a proximity key with passive entry, blind-spot monitoring, heated exterior mirrors, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel. Toyota offers few options other than accessories, but we'd stop there anyway to keep the C-HR's cost affordable.

Engine, Transmission, and Performance

The C-HR's four-cylinder could use a turbocharger or a supercharger—or even a big can of Red Bull—as it's incapable of hustling this crossover up to speed with anything approaching enthusiasm. In our testing, the C-HR was only able to muster an 11.0-second saunter from zero to 60 mph, and it is significantly slower than most of its rivals. When driving normally around town, the lack of power is well disguised thanks to a responsive throttle that launches you eagerly off the line. But put your right foot deep in the accelerator pedal and the engine revs to its peak and stays there, droning on while you wait for the continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) to adjust its ratios in a futile attempt to provide rapid forward motion. Over bumps, the C-HR delivers a ride that is comfortable, but it isn't a standout in 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 directly to commands. Handling is lively, body roll is well controlled, and the C-HR feels playful from behind the wheel.

Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG

Acceleration isn't the C-HR's main focus; fuel efficiency is where this crossover shines. While EPA estimates show the C-HR is neck and neck with most rivals, it blew away all but the Nissan Kicks (the two mini-utes tied for the same result) in our real-world highway fuel-economy testing: The XLE model we tested smashed past its EPA rating and delivered a phenomenal 37 mpg over the course of 200 miles.

Interior, Comfort, and Cargo

Typical Toyota quality abounds inside the C-HR's cabin. Except for a pair of cheap plastic panels on either side of the center console, the materials throughout the interior seem well chosen and durable. A faux-leather dash with simulated stitching looks upscale, while diamond-patterned plastic on the doors and similarly patterned headliner accents add a bit of fun to the mix. In low-light situations, the trim used on the dashboard of our XLE test car appeared to be standard-issue piano black, but in direct sunlight, a metallic glaze shone through—a nice surprise. Overall, the cabin has a very youthful appeal. When it comes to feature availability, though, the C-HR is anything but up-to-date. Dual-zone automatic climate control is the only basic luxury here, so those wishing for niceties such as power seat adjustments or a sunroof will be left wanting. When it comes to hauling cargo, this segment's leader is the Honda HR-V, which, thanks to its ingenious folding rear seat, offers class-above space. The C-HR's cargo capacity is average, beating only the Mazda CX-3 in maximum carry-on capacity: We fit 14 cases with the rear seats folded.

Infotainment and Connectivity

An 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system stands tall atop the C-HR's sculpted dashboard, and even the base model comes standard with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, and Bluetooth phone and music connectivity. It's a basic system and eschews visual beauty for uncomplicated menus that are easy to use on the go—even those with minimal technological experience should feel comfortable using it.

Safety and Driver-Assistance Features

Overall Safety Rating (NHTSA)

View Crash Test Results

The Toyota C-HR earned five stars from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and performed well in the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety's crash tests; it missed out on a Top Safety Pick award from IIHS last year because its headlamps performed poorly in testing. The 2020 model with standard LED headlamps has not been tested. Driver-assistance features are standard across the lineup. Key safety features include:

• Standard automated emergency braking
• Standard adaptive cruise control
• Standard lane-keeping assist

Warranty and Maintenance Coverage

The C-HR's basic warranty coverage is just that—basic. Its two-year complimentary scheduled maintenance is the only aspect that separates it from the competition. High-mileage drivers should consider the Kia Soul, which offers significantly longer warranty periods.

• Limited warranty covers 3 years or 36,000 miles
• Powertrain warranty covers 5 years or 60,000 miles
• Complimentary scheduled maintenance is covered for 2 years or 25,000 miles