2021 Toyota C-HR Review: Blows Hot And Cold

As captivating as the 2021 Toyota C-HR's funky and one-of-a-kind design may be, don't let it fool you into thinking that the compact 5-door crossover possesses any level of performance proficiency or exciting driver engagement. With just a 144 horsepower from a naturally-aspirated 4-cylinder engine under the hood, the C-HR is a basic city runabout that provides just enough easy and fuel-efficient day-to-day commuting. With its modern and ergonomic cabin and a strong selection of comforts and conveniences, it also meets all the needs to make those trips as pleasant as possible, all at a very attractive price. There's a lot that hinders the Toyota C-HR's standing within the highly competitive segment, however, from its restrained powertrain and noisy cabin, to its cramped back seats and subpar cargo capacity. And with compelling and well-rounded crossovers such as the Kia Soul, Mazda CX-3, and Honda HR-V to contend within the USA, it's to commend the C-HR for the few qualities it does have. Toyota is imbuing the C-HR with more modish design elements and a healthier selection of driver-assists for the new year, but will this make it the car you're looking for?

2021 C-HR Exterior

Dimensions

2021 C-HR Performance

2021 C-HR Interior

2021 C-HR Trunk and Cargo Space

Warranty

US NHTSA Crash Test Result

Verdict: Is the 2021 Toyota C-HR A Good SUV?

As a Toyota, the C-HR crossover inherits the proven long-term ownership and dependability qualities that are synonymous with the brand. But with its characterless and unrefined powertrain, cramped back seats, and relatively small trunk, its brand-derived qualities are just about the only things keeping it going within this highly competitive segment. Competitors such as the Kia Soul, Mazda CX-3, and Honda HR-V simply offer more in the driving experiences they deliver, the value they package, and practicality, making them more well-rounded compact crossovers. With that said, the C-HR is still a pleasant and fairly good vehicle. It's an eye-catching and quirky crossover that possesses some pleasant handling flair. Toyota also carries the C-HR's funky and novel design through to its cabin, which is also intuitively designed and laden with modern features and tech. Many driver assists and safety features are included throughout the lineup, too, and the NHTSA's review of the 2021 Toyota C-HR resulted in a decent safety rating. Ultimately, the Toyota C-HR is a perfectly fine crossover for driving in urban settings and over short distances on a regular basis. Many other compact crossovers are more versatile and well-rounded, however, so it'd be worthwhile covering all your bases when perusing the market.

What Toyota C-HR Model Should I Buy?

Considering the 2021 Toyota C-HR's relatively affordable price and compact status, we feel confident recommending the entry-spec LE as the C-HR that offers the most value for the money. Even in base guise, it comes outfitted with a good selection of comforts, conveniences, and tech such as LED reflector headlights, an eight-inch infotainment touchscreen with full smartphone connectivity, dual-zone automatic climate control, and several advanced driver assists. For a more premium look and feel, we do suggest optioning the 17-alloy wheels, which will only cost you an extra $365. With that addition, the LE is still around $1,500 cheaper than the XLE, which just gets a few more luxuries.