Three letters and a hyphen is the current naming trend for minuscule crossovers with AWD capability. Joining the ranks of the Mazda CX-3 and Honda HR-V in the popular “soft-roader” segment is the latest debut from the 2016 Geneva Motor Show, the Toyota C-HR in final production form. Up to now, the C-HR has been seen as a concept since the 2014 Paris Auto Show. Originally, the C-HR was planned to be Scion’s first ever crossover, but since Toyota has announced plans to nix the Scion moniker, it will now be sold as a Toyota in the U.S.
The production version of the C-HR retains quite a bit of the concept’s jazzy lines. The bulging wheel wells, low roofline, and boomerang-like taillights are all recognizable. The rear door handles are almost indiscernible, like on the similarly-sized Honda HR-V. Blacked-out rear pillars help create a “floating roof” look, and the rear spoiler is supposed to appear to float as well.
The ‘cheeky’ crossover shares the same platform as the fourth generation Prius and will soon share the same hybrid system. Plans are to release a C-HR model with Toyota’s latest 1.8-liter hybrid system alongside a gasoline powered model. The European market will get 1.2-liter turbo good for 133 horsepower. Look forward to Spring 2017 for the C-HR to arrive in the U.S. with potentially a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder and CVT that will have available 4-wheel drive in addition to the standard front-wheel drive model.The hybrid version will be FWD only.
Prices were not announced at the Geneva Motor Show but expect the compact crossover to slot in lower than the RAV4, which currently starts at $24,350.
Learn more details about the upcoming Toyota C-HR crossover in this TFLcar ‘everything you ever wanted to know’ video.
