The 2018 Toyota C-HR is designed around the theme of “distinctive diamond”, combining style and strength. The CHR ’s exterior is unique in the compact crossover market – combining a coupe-like sporty upper body with a dynamic lower body and powerful stance. The interplay between the main body and prominent wheel flares presents an iconic diamond profile that stands out from the crowd. The face is sharp and powerful, designed to look wider than it is and express the C-HR’s dynamic, urban-friendly performance. The profile emphasizes the C-HR’s agile proportions, with powerful wheel arches housing large 17” alloy wheels – accentuating the vehicle’s sturdy posture and compact cabin. And the rear design, complete with hatch fitted with a lip spoiler and functional top wing, enhances the C-HR’s futuristic look and surprising girth.
Open the door, and the C-HR invites drivers into a modern cabin that may appear compact from the outside, but is surprisingly spacious. The interior is a study in contrasts – combining a seamless, expansive space for five adults with a driver’s zone that places the focus on performance. The exterior’s distinctive diamond motif is reinforced inside, through diamond-patterned textures and fittings – from the dual-zone automatic climate controls, to the speaker surrounds and door pulls, to the black headliner above the front row seats.
The C-HR’s sports car-inspired dash is angled to provide the driver with a clear view of the road ahead and intuitive access to instrumentation. Bolstered bucket seats keep driver and passengers snug and comfortable during spirited driving. There’s generous headroom and legroom in the rear seats, which are split 60/40 and fold flat for extra cargo-carrying versatility.
The C-HR benefits from the Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA) – Toyota’s state of the art approach to platform and powertrain design. The vehicle takes full advantage of TNGA to deliver sports car-style responsiveness, linearity, and consistency of performance. TNGA confers an inherent low centre of gravity, high strength and body rigidity, and low weight to give the C-HR superior handling, whether one is steering, accelerating or braking.
This is further enhanced with a newly-developed MacPherson strut front suspension to help the C-HR’s front end respond quickly and precisely at initial corner turn-in. At the rear, an all-new double-wishbone suspension includes Toyota’s first use of shock absorbers with urethane upper supports to improve passenger comfort, cabin quietness and vehicle agility.
