Nissan has the Juke, Chevy has the Trax, Honda the HR-V. Where’s Toyota in the subcompact crossover race?
Nowhere now–but that’s about to change with this vehicle–the 2018 Toyota C-HR.
We’ve seen this concept before–a few times it’s been shown as a Scion. Now it’s set to wear Toyota badges when it arrives in the U.S. In the spring of 2017.
The C-HR has a sharply creased and complex body, with lots of strong curves and eye-catching LED daytime running lights. Toyota fills the wheel wells with 18-inch wheels and tires and they claim the rear spoiler is functional. All that downforce you need for daily commutes, I guess. One of the coolest design features? The rear door handles which your kids won’t be able to reach.
Inside, the C-HR has a dash that’s slightly canted towards the driver to give it a more sporty feel. A 7-inch infotainment screen sits on top of the dash, tablet-style, like the Germans do it. A 4.2-inch information display sits in the gauge cluster.
While the rear seats fold 60/40 Toyota isn’t disclosing cargo space, yet. While it’s definitely not packaged as well as the HR-V, it’s probably about on par with the Juke.
Under the hood of the CH-R, Toyota slots a 2.0-liter inline-4 producing 144 horsepower. Power goes to the front wheels through a continuously variable transmission. Toyota tells us there’s a sport mode which has the CVT simulate a 7-speed automatic transmission. Important to note all-wheel drive is not available.
Toyota also stocks the C-HR with technology. On the features list are a rearview camera and Bluetooth. If you want Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, you’ll have to drive something else, as Toyota says it’s doing its own infotainment, thanks.
The C-HR’s safety package includes forward-collision warnings, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warnings, blind-spot monitors, and adaptive cruise control.
Toyota hasn’t talked pricing or fuel economy yet, but the C-HR will go on sale sometime in 2017.
Source: http://www.thecarconnection.com/news/1107317_2018-toyota-c-hr-video-preview