Toyota C-HR Koba 2WD 2017 Long-term review - 1

Never one to rely solely on reversing cameras, as I squeezed the C-HR between two unforgiving concrete columns I attempted to check the view out the rear windows. Hmmmm. To use the modern vernacular: “Nothing to see here . . .”

Looking at vast expenses of vinyl and leatherette seat trim punctuated by seemingly mere hints of window glass, I instantly gleaned the C-HR was not designed for easy manoeuvrability.

Which is enigmatic because the new Toyota was concocted with a pretty clear demographic in mind: Young and style-conscious, with a preference for cars which slot easily into urban situations – like parking bays – as if to the manner born.

Having just made myself comfortable inside the C-HR, and understanding that high-silled window lines and slitted side glass can never be expected to make for an open view of the world outside, I was pleased in one sense – encouragingly, Toyota has ensured a reversing camera is standard – and surprised in another: In the name of style, how far can you go in compromising what should be basic design principles?

Not a good first impression.

On the other hand...
As for the rest of the C-HR, after an introductory week behind the wheel the story is generally positive.

The little SUV not only looks, a little outside of the usual Toyota mainstream, and actually communicates a bubbly personality.

Sure, the tiny turbocharged engine may not be the gutsiest in its class but, with the help of a quite-refined CVT transmission, seems willing to give its all whenever asked. It’s not so much its 85kW of power, as the 185Nm of torque, from a pretty low 1500rpm, which gives the CH-R a lively, accessible feel, well beyond what you’d expect of its 1.2 litres.

Fuel consumption is looking on the money too: In our first week with the 2WD Koba-spec C-HR, we were initially looking at a reading around 7.4L/100km, which included quite a few country kilometres, but was short of the company’s 6.4L/100km claim. However a week later, the figure had dropped a lot closer, to 6.7L/100km (Just as well, as Toyota states the 50-litre tank must be topped up with pricey premium unleaded fuel).

The C-HR drives well. It feels substantial (actually at 1385kg it is substantial), and the ride is pretty cosy for a small SUV, perhaps due in part to the fact it actually has a more generous wheelbase than most of its competitors. At this stage of the long-term experience, it impresses with its steering too, although I did fiddle around with the manually-adjusted seat for some time searching for a comfortable driving position.

Touch and fumble
The interior, while it’s generally pleasing aesthetically, well-finished and generally intuitive to the driver, does toss-in one notable aberration: The old-school touch-screen satellite navigation which sits like an anachronism in the centre of the heavily-styled dash.

To be honest, I’m not a fan generally of touch-screen systems for the way they direct attention away from the road (even when tackling even the most simple of functions), and I found the C-HR’s looking like a throwback to 10 years ago.

Not only is the driver faced with invariably inaccurate fumbling when trying to make something as simple as a phone call (Yes, calls can be made via voice recognition, but the Toyota doesn’t seem any more able to recognise verbal requests than many other systems), you must access the SatNav itself via the APPS button, which then gives you a number of function alternatives which make, once again, a simple process more complex than it should be.

Generally though, the C-HR seems pretty easy to live with. Although the controls are a bit scattered, it takes little time to understand the functions of the standard-equipment active cruise system (controlled via the dedicated steering column stalk on the right side), while Bluetooth connections are swiftly made.

The funky trim materials (patterned, contrasting-hue metallic inserts on the doors, cloth and leather-look trim elsewhere) complement the C-HR’s internal architecture nicely and the centre console offers a major benefit for the ‘Dinner Party Set’: The two cup holders will easily accommodate a bottle of wine each after you’ve visited the local bottle shop.

A bit of a stretch
No surprises the C-HR’s internal space favours the front of the cabin: Try to squeeze-in a rear-seat passenger behind a full-size adult up front and you’re instantly heading for an argument about compromises. Likewise the boot. Toyota quotes a competitive 377-litre capacity, but in reality, it’s not hugely useful.

And I found the Koba’s camera-based AEB/adaptive cruise system to be easily challenged. On foggy nights – and even some non-foggy nights – a warning flashed advising the camera’s view was compromised and I should clean the windscreen (didn’t make any difference) to restore function. And I was a little puzzled at first why Toyota bothered telling me the lane-departure alert system was unavailable below 50km/h or so. Trying not to lull the driver into a false sense of security I presume.

After a week with the C-HR – and generally being impressed by its street-smart looks and qualities on the road, I emerged with a question: Is this a case of style lording it over function?

Accepting that buyers in this segment place a lot of value on visual impact, there’s no question the C-HR racks up styling points. But it strangely lacks some of the extended practicalities you’ll normally expect of a car calling itself an SUV – such as a versatile, relatively spacious load area.

The Toyota is not alone in that compromise, but some potential customers will surely view its lack of cargo capacity as a deal-spoiling shortfall.

We’ll see what our varied lineup of drivers at motoring.com.au reckon.

Long-Term Tests
motoring.com.au aims to make your choice of vehicle easier. Our Editorial section does this via our mix of news, international and local launch reviews, as well as our seven-day tests.

From time to time we also take the opportunity to spend even longer with a vehicle. These longer-term tests can be as short as a couple of weeks, but more recently we’ve settled on a three-month period as indicative of ‘normal’ ownership.

Long-term tests give our staff writers and contributors a chance to get to know a car as an owner would. While the car is with us, we pay for fuel, the servicing, and generally use and live with the car as a new owner would.

We believe long-term tests give car buyers a deeper insight into the vehicle on test, but also the qualities behind the brand and nameplate. The extended period also allows us to touch base with the dealer networks in question.

It comes as no surprise that manufacturers tend to have a love-hate relationship with long-term tests. Three months is plenty long enough to fall out of love with the latest and greatest, and start to nit-pick — just like real owners do.

2017 Toyota C-HR Koba 2WD pricing and specifications:
Price: $33,290 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 1,2-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol
Output: 85kW/185Nm
Transmission: Continuously variable
Fuel: 6.4L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 144g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety Rating: Five-star ANCAP

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