The 2017 Toyota C-HR Has Launched Across Japan

Crossover fans across Japan can rejoice: Toyota has finally launched the 2017 C-HR following months of hype and displays. It's the second car to sit on the TNGA platform, following the fourth generation Prius. That being said, Toyota feels they have "realized the original feel in terms of the C-HR's driving performance through repeated driving tests being conducted on various types of roads around the world"- in effect saying they've made the C-HR fun-to-drive. 

The dampers have been tuned to suit European roads, in an effort to bring its driving dynamics and characteristics up to scratch with more continental offerings. There’s a surprising amount of focus on improving handling, with “Response, Linearity, and Consistency” being the key ideas behind responsive driving performance. Even Toyota GAZOO Racing (Akio Toyoda’s sort-of side project) has taken a pre-production C-HR to compete in the 24 Hours of Nurburgring.

There’s also a lot of work done on the exterior in order to make the C-HR an aesthetically appealing product. Toyota’s product range in general has seen designers adopting dynamic sharp lines and creases, doing away with the old beige cookie-cutter looks of previous generation models. The C-HR is the first of its kind for Toyota, although arguably it picks up where the RAV-4 left off all those years ago when it grew into a larger, full-fledged SUV.

Buyers in Japan have an option of 2 powertrains, with 2 grades for each powertrain. The first is something you’ll be more familiar with: it’s the 2ZR-FXE hybrid powertrain out of the Prius, and it only comes in front-wheel drive form (although if the electric all-wheel drive Prius takes off, that technology may find its way into the C-HR). The second is an exciting little turbocharged 1.2-litre engine, with a solid 114 hp and 190 Nm of torque from just 1,500 rpm. The turbocharged models are only available with all-wheel drive and a Super CVT-I transmission with 7 virtual ratios.

Toyota expects to shift 6,000 of these C-HRs across Japan every month, and it’s only a matter of time before we see the C-HR introduced in other regions as well. The full specs for each variant and prices are listed below.

Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Prices