I drove a rental hybrid C-HR 4000km around Spain and Portugal during October and November this year. The car had 10000km on the clock and was a delight to drive. A funky little car with good styling and plenty of power. I was getting 5.1l/100km fuel efficiency, which. compared to my 2014 Camry 2.4l petrol with 11l/100km is quite amazing, albeit mostly highway. The seats are worth a special mention - I could easily drive 3 or 4 hours without any discomfort in my backside compared to the Camry, which has terrible seats only good for maybe 2 hours. The worst and most dangerous feature, however, was the adaptive cruise control! Together with Lane assist, it pretty much takes the pain out of highway driving, so much so that there is a sensor to warn that your hands are no longer on the wheel, and disengages if continued for too long. What's really dangerous for someone like me, who has got used to the "manual" cruise control that needs to be engaged and disengaged by the driver, is that the system on the C-HR overrides the accelerator pedal. If overtaking a truck and we are both in the same inside lane, the system sees the truck ahead and slows the car down by itself progressively as you get closer. Now move into the adjacent lane to overtake, and it once again speeds up to whatever speed was set. Moving into the other lane well ahead of the truck seems to be the way to go, but you then run the risk of pissing off other drivers coming up way faster behind you. Of course, the system isn't infallible, and sometimes the camera controlling it slams on the brakes without warning at 120KPH while overtaking. the real danger for someone like me who is not familiar with the car (no manual of course) is that I'm no longer in charge. If I overtake a truck and the sensor camera overreacts, the accelerator (gas) pedal was shut down and actually collapsed on the floor, until it reset itself. This happened several times and I lost faith in the car. A shame because otherwise a great little car as said previously, except that its attempt at safety features backfired. I could not find a way to turn the feature off.
Hi Jonathan good review of C HR I have just purchased one a week ago, an Excel 1.8 and dash cam front and rear, I'm away on a holiday break, really enjoying the car, I drove from Grimsby to near Dorking and it indicates 61.5 mpg and over 60% in EV mode, I'm a retied person 72 next birthday its ideal for me!
The real reason for Toyota to have PHEVs in Europe is the need to lower the fleet CO2 emissions to avoid the heavy sanctions. Your advice on B-mode is 50% correct. It applies only to PHEV version, when it's the boosted regen option. In HEV it's only meant to save (B)rakes in extreme long downhill drive like driving down from volcano Teide in Teneriffe. It will add consumption if used in other situations! B-mode will use engine in high revs to add friction, not to do regen braking. There are no gears in eCVT, so after the battery is full, regen can't be used and brakes need support from high rev engine friction, or brakes will overheat. I use B-mode often in Highway exits.
What an amazing review! Smart, informative, analytical, explanatory. Just wow! Best car reviewer ever by far! 1st time i visited this channel and 5 minutes in the video, i subbed. Jonathan, if you watch this, NEVER GIVE UP. And more please. My respects.
Thank you for the comprehensive unbiased review, I've just test-driven the Design spec and was very impressed with the tech, cabin comfort and whole driving experience. You are absolutely right about the real age-group that are going to go for this car, we all get a tad more sensible about the value and comfort of a vehicle as we get older. My only previous CVT was the first Mitsubishi PHEV which literally screamed when pushed or on an incline, the comparison to the C-HR is like night and day.
Awaiting delivery of our new C-HR (to replace our old one). Your review has been very informative as a supplement to our own test drive and confirms why we are in love with the model. Thank you
Thanks very much for that very comprehensive review. I have just ordered the "Design" spec which should be ready on Wednesday 17 Ap-ril 2024. Just wish I had read your review before going down to the toyota dealership, I may have gone for the "Excel" version but too late now. By the way I am 78 years old and have had both versions of the Prius models.
Once again - the most detailed comprehensive review in the business. Great presenter too. Suggested - how about a "Hello - I'm Dave..." at the beginning of the review!!! inset name here.
I have been watching and reading alot about CH-R since i'm interested in buying one. This review might be the best out there going to full details and observations.
A really helpful review, thank you - highly detailed and informative! Also enjoyed the clips of Sussex countryside. You mentioned a review of the PHEV model, is that likely to be coming soon?
hello from Germany. YOu picked your outfit well , almost matching the car color :) .... I am 62 yo and ordered the GR Sport Premiere version. Coming from a GR Yaris, my back needs something more relaxing now. Can't wait to receive my new C-HR.
An intelligent review, giving a comprehensive insight into an alternative to a fully electric car. I own a Toyota Auris Hybrid and this model looks like a suitable replacement.
Direct rival would be Honda HRV...its weird he doesn't mention it...And Lexus LBX has 3 cylinder hybrid engine like Yaris cross so thats not comparable at all...
Just returned from our local Toyota dealership, I was very tempted to purchase the GR Sport Plug In with the 223bhp engine. Unfortunately though the GR Sport does not come in the gold colour that you show in the video, which was my colour of choice but it's only available on the Premier Edition which doesnt come as plug in, theres no option to have the Premier version as a plug in here in the UK, and no option to have the GR Sport in the gold colour in the UK, which does have the two options of plug in or not.. The GR Sport loses the panoramic roof (optional) but gains some other techy stuff like heads up display which the Premier doesnt have. I drove both the plug in hybryd and the non plug in, and in my opinion the plug in is far better than the non plug in, its a totally different drive. To upgrade the GR Sport to have the same tech as the Premier including the panoramic roof costs around £46000 with the plug in option. Even tough the inside of the GR Sport was very nice, I did feel that it didnt look as modern as other makes of car, for instance the single square screen sitting upright on the dash is a bit of a dated look compared to other modern makes these days. My son has the new Vauxhall Astra Ultimate plug in, which is crammed with tech and has a stunning interior with a full wrap around dash which looks awesome. I'm still toying with the idea of purchasing the GR Sport but I'm not sure it warrants the price tag of £46000 ?
Try the Excel with added HUD and Rear internal mirror turning into a camera and even with upgrade stereo £2/3,000 cheaper than the equivalent GR which is a lot of money saved for just losing the GR badging
I drove a rental hybrid C-HR 4000km around Spain and Portugal during October and November this year. The car had 10000km on the clock and was a delight to drive.
A funky little car with good styling and plenty of power. I was getting 5.1l/100km fuel efficiency, which. compared to my 2014 Camry 2.4l petrol with 11l/100km is quite amazing, albeit mostly highway.
The seats are worth a special mention - I could easily drive 3 or 4 hours without any discomfort in my backside compared to the Camry, which has terrible seats only good for maybe 2 hours.
The worst and most dangerous feature, however, was the adaptive cruise control! Together with Lane assist, it pretty much takes the pain out of highway driving, so much so that there is a sensor to warn that your hands are no longer on the wheel, and disengages if continued for too long.
What's really dangerous for someone like me, who has got used to the "manual" cruise control that needs to be engaged and disengaged by the driver, is that the system on the C-HR overrides the accelerator pedal. If overtaking a truck and we are both in the same inside lane, the system sees the truck ahead and slows the car down by itself progressively as you get closer. Now move into the adjacent lane to overtake, and it once again speeds up to whatever speed was set. Moving into the other lane well ahead of the truck seems to be the way to go, but you then run the risk of pissing off other drivers coming up way faster behind you.
Of course, the system isn't infallible, and sometimes the camera controlling it slams on the brakes without warning at 120KPH while overtaking. the real danger for someone like me who is not familiar with the car (no manual of course) is that I'm no longer in charge.
If I overtake a truck and the sensor camera overreacts, the accelerator (gas) pedal was shut down and actually collapsed on the floor, until it reset itself. This happened several times and I lost faith in the car.
A shame because otherwise a great little car as said previously, except that its attempt at safety features backfired.
I could not find a way to turn the feature off.
Hi Jonathan good review of C HR I have just purchased one a week ago, an Excel 1.8 and dash cam front and rear, I'm away on a holiday break, really enjoying the car, I drove from Grimsby to near Dorking and it indicates 61.5 mpg and over 60% in EV mode, I'm a retied person 72 next birthday its ideal for me!
Glad you’re enjoying it!
The real reason for Toyota to have PHEVs in Europe is the need to lower the fleet CO2 emissions to avoid the heavy sanctions. Your advice on B-mode is 50% correct. It applies only to PHEV version, when it's the boosted regen option. In HEV it's only meant to save (B)rakes in extreme long downhill drive like driving down from volcano Teide in Teneriffe. It will add consumption if used in other situations! B-mode will use engine in high revs to add friction, not to do regen braking. There are no gears in eCVT, so after the battery is full, regen can't be used and brakes need support from high rev engine friction, or brakes will overheat. I use B-mode often in Highway exits.
By far the best review of the Toyota C-HR I have seen. Top Notch, thinking to buy one soon.
Thank you so much
What an amazing review! Smart, informative, analytical, explanatory. Just wow! Best car reviewer ever by far! 1st time i visited this channel and 5 minutes in the video, i subbed. Jonathan, if you watch this, NEVER GIVE UP. And more please. My respects.
I really appreciate your comment and feedback. It makes all the effort worthwhile. We’d love to see you at our future meet and greet.
Excellent review. The best out there!
Glad you think so!
Thank you for the comprehensive unbiased review, I've just test-driven the Design spec and was very impressed with the tech, cabin comfort and whole driving experience. You are absolutely right about the real age-group that are going to go for this car, we all get a tad more sensible about the value and comfort of a vehicle as we get older.
My only previous CVT was the first Mitsubishi PHEV which literally screamed when pushed or on an incline, the comparison to the C-HR is like night and day.
After this Video i bought a new Design 1.8 Liter version. Great review. Thank you Car and Driving.
So glad it was helpful
Very professional review.
Appreciate it
Awaiting delivery of our new C-HR (to replace our old one). Your review has been very informative as a supplement to our own test drive and confirms why we are in love with the model. Thank you
Glad it was helpful!
Thanks very much for that very comprehensive review. I have just ordered the "Design" spec which should be ready on Wednesday 17 Ap-ril 2024. Just wish I had read your review before going down to the toyota dealership, I may have gone for the "Excel" version but too late now. By the way I am 78 years old and have had both versions of the Prius models.
Great Review!
Appreciate that
Excellent review very comprehensive
Thank you!
Once again - the most detailed comprehensive review in the business. Great presenter too. Suggested - how about a "Hello - I'm Dave..." at the beginning of the review!!! inset name here.
Thanks for the feedback, great idea!
I have been watching and reading alot about CH-R since i'm interested in buying one.
This review might be the best out there going to full details and observations.
Glad it was helpful
Fantastic comprehensive review. Nice work 👌👍
Thank you!
A really helpful review, thank you - highly detailed and informative! Also enjoyed the clips of Sussex countryside. You mentioned a review of the PHEV model, is that likely to be coming soon?
July!
hello from Germany. YOu picked your outfit well , almost matching the car color :) .... I am 62 yo and ordered the GR Sport Premiere version. Coming from a GR Yaris, my back needs something more relaxing now. Can't wait to receive my new C-HR.
Thanks for the compliment!
Hi, how long of a wait time did you dealership give you? Did you go with the tageszulassung car or a new one straight from factory in Turkey?
@@anelnp ordered end of February, delivery is supposed to be beginning of June.
An intelligent review, giving a comprehensive insight into an alternative to a fully electric car.
I own a Toyota Auris Hybrid and this model looks like a suitable replacement.
Really appreciate that Steve
Excellent review!
Just that nasty audio crackle and pop....
Direct rival would be Honda HRV...its weird he doesn't mention it...And Lexus LBX has 3 cylinder hybrid engine like Yaris cross so thats not comparable at all...
Just returned from our local Toyota dealership, I was very tempted to purchase the GR Sport Plug In with the 223bhp engine. Unfortunately though the GR Sport does not come in the gold colour that you show in the video, which was my colour of choice but it's only available on the Premier Edition which doesnt come as plug in, theres no option to have the Premier version as a plug in here in the UK, and no option to have the GR Sport in the gold colour in the UK, which does have the two options of plug in or not..
The GR Sport loses the panoramic roof (optional) but gains some other techy stuff like heads up display which the Premier doesnt have. I drove both the plug in hybryd and the non plug in, and in my opinion the plug in is far better than the non plug in, its a totally different drive. To upgrade the GR Sport to have the same tech as the Premier including the panoramic roof costs around £46000 with the plug in option. Even tough the inside of the GR Sport was very nice, I did feel that it didnt look as modern as other makes of car, for instance the single square screen sitting upright on the dash is a bit of a dated look compared to other modern makes these days.
My son has the new Vauxhall Astra Ultimate plug in, which is crammed with tech and has a stunning interior with a full wrap around dash which looks awesome.
I'm still toying with the idea of purchasing the GR Sport but I'm not sure it warrants the price tag of £46000 ?
Try the Excel with added HUD and Rear internal mirror turning into a camera and even with upgrade stereo £2/3,000 cheaper than the equivalent GR which is a lot of money saved for just losing the GR badging
Turkey is not in Europe...
It is
@@darrensharpe7230i live in Greece I know better
I hope it will be never ever in Europe
Basic geography tells you turkey is in both Europe and Asia.
well not in the eu yes, technically speaking 4% of its territory is in europe
Quite expensive for a cross over.
Too bad Toyota killed it in the American market
A tarmac tear sounds like a woke pothole 😂