2020 Toyota C-HR Review: All Bark, No Bite

Toyota's small SUV, the C-HR, is one of those vehicles that is instantly recognizable for its unique style - it has broken the typically temperate design style we are accustomed to from Toyota. As a subcompact crossover SUV with a coupe-styled rear-end, the 2020 C-HR is part of the first C-HR generation that's been around since the 2018 model year. Though its interesting aesthetic may appeal strongly to some, the C-HR brings little else to the table relative to its competitors - with the Honda HR-V and Mazda CX-3 delivering better-rounded packages overall, including superior powertrains and optional all-wheel-drive configurations. An underpowered 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with meager peak outputs of 144 horsepower and 139 lb-ft of torque is mated to a CVT automatic gearbox to power the default front-wheel-drivetrain of the C-HR. Not all is bad with the C-HR crossover, though, as it has an expansive list of features available to every model, sports decent ride and handling dynamics, and boasts exceptional safety expectations.

What's the Price of the 2020 Toyota C-HR?

The Toyota C-HR is priced relatively similar to its rivals. The LE has an MSRP of $21,295, while the XLE costs $23,330. The Limited tops the range with an MSRP of $26,350. Those prices are all excluding Toyota's $1,120 delivery, processing, and handling fee as well as any tax, registration, or licensing fees.

2020 C-HR Exterior

Dimensions

2020 C-HR Performance

Handling and Driving Impressions

It's unfortunate that the C-HR's powertrain is so underpowered and unrefined, as the subcompact crossover is actually somewhat fun to drive down a windy road - it can even feel playful from behind the wheel. Its handling is lively by virtue of its sharp and accurate steering responses, with the steering proving to be relatively communicative, giving the driver decent levels of feedback from the front wheels. Body roll is exceptionally well controlled around extended corners and sharp bends, chassis composure is well-maintained, and the C-HR always feels firmly planted to the asphalt. Its brakes provide appropriate levels of stopping power and the brake pedal is easy to modulate in most driving conditions.

The C-HR doesn't deliver the best ride quality in the class but it's reasonably comfortable nonetheless; its suspension soaks up most road imperfections, even prominent ones, but when riding over a stretch of broken asphalt at speed or when going over larger undulations, the cabin is plagued by reverberations and jarring noise.

2020 C-HR Interior

2020 C-HR Trunk and Cargo Space

Warranty

US NHTSA Crash Test Result

Verdict: Is the New 2020 Toyota C-HR A Good car?

The Toyota C-HR is, sadly, nowhere near being the best vehicle in the subcompact crossover SUV class. There are simply too many aspects that are subpar when compared to its competitors in the USA. The powertrain is severely underpowered, and at the same time, not as fuel-efficient as what its rivals setups are; it's frustratingly slow and the CVT creates more noise than impetus. The back seats aren't very spacious either, and its cargo capacity is less than that of rivals, too.

For those loyal to the brand, there is still a lot to appreciate from the C-HR: its handling is poised and the ride is reasonably comfortable; it's rated exceptionally well for reliability and was given favorable crash test safety ratings. On top of that, it comes fitted with a vast selection of features at base level, including a great consignment of standard safety and advanced driver-assist features, and an infotainment system fully integrated with your smartphone. Ultimately, the C-HR is stylish and comfortable, but falls into the category of 'good but not great'.

What 2020 Toyota C-HR Model Should I Buy?

With the LE model of the C-HR being so well-outfitted with features, even as the base-spec model, and at such an affordable price, it's the trim to go for. It delivers the most value for money and comes standard with a vast selection of higher-grade features including a top-notch infotainment system that's shared across the lineup -this includes an eight-inch touchscreen and full smartphone integration. All the truly appealing feature enhancements, such as leather seats, LED lights, and 18-inch wheels, are only found in the Limited, at which point the trim line loses its affordability. The aluminum wheel upgrade is recommended purely for the improvement in overall quality and style.

2020 Toyota C-HR Comparisons

2020 Toyota C-HR vs Toyota RAV4

The RAV4 is a larger compact SUV and offers the obvious advantages in practicality and off-road-ability over the C-HR. It has almost double the cargo room to that of the C-HR behind the rear seats and offers a maximum tow capacity of 1,500 lbs. With a far greater ground clearance, approach, and departure angle, the RAV4 will be the more capable vehicle when it comes to taking on anything beyond the asphalt. It is also fitted with a more powerful engine and a better gearbox, which makes it peppier than the C-HR and simply a more enjoyable SUV to drive; the powertrain just so happens to be more fuel-efficient too. Considering that the base model of the RAV4 is only around $4,000 more than the base model C-HR, it's certainly worth considering as the vehicle that delivers better performance, capability, and to some, maybe even a more appealing aesthetic.

2020 Toyota C-HR vs Honda HR-V

While the Honda HR-V comes with an even weaker engine than the Toyota C-HR, it's slightly more affordable and far better of an all-rounder than the C-HR. The powertrain, while also underpowered, still makes the HR-V faster than the C-HR and is a little more economical than the C-HR's too. The HR-V is also available with an AWD system, which the C-HR does not have. There's a little more cargo room offered behind the rear seats of the HR-V: 24.3 cubic feet over the C-HR's 19.1. Honda's famous magic seats in the back also bring in a whole other level of passenger seating and cargo storage versatility that no other brand has managed to achieve. All in all, the Honda CR-V is simply the better all-rounder - admittedly, it's still not the greatest car in the class because of its mediocre performance, but it delivers a little more value for money than the C-HR, and far greater practicality for everyday use.