Sunday drive: Toyota C-HR GR Sport

Saturday, 8 May 2021

This is the first time New Zealand has been able to sample a hybrid C-HR.

TOYOTA C-HR GR SPORT
Base price: $42,990
Powertrain and economy: 1.8-litre four-cylinder petrol hybrid, 90kW (total system output)/142Nm, continuously variable transmission, FWD, fuel consumption 4.3 litres per 100km, CO2 99g/km (Source: RightCar)

Toyota has added a touch of sportiness to the C-HR with the GR Sport model.

Vital statistics: 4385mm long, 1795mm wide, 1565mm high, 2640mm wheelbase, luggage capacity 318 litres, 19-inch wheels.
Safety: 5 stars (tested 2017)

We’re not entirely sold on the shadow chrome insert, but the rest of the GR Sport’s front bumper is nicely aggressive.

At a glance: The C-HR GR Sport isn't a fully fledged GR model but the reworked chassis and bolder looks all fit into the C-HRs approach to driving nicely. Plus, it’s not a massive jump in price from the Hybrid Limited, although it does miss out on some of the Limited’s kit, strangely.
Who should consider it: Those interested in the C-HR’s styling and hybrid powertrain but also want something a little more special.

It’s largely standard C-HR inside, but it does get a nice GR starter button.

Gazoo Racing is Toyota’s performance sub-brand, like AMG is to Mercedes-Benz or N is to Hyundai. It’s responsible for powerhouses like the Supra and GR Yaris but, like those other examples, it also offers various ‘performance packs’ applied to more pedestrian cars. The first of these was the Daihatsu Copen GR Sport but the first to land in New Zealand is this, the GR Sport-spec C-HR.

ON THE OUTSIDE

Unfortunately nothing has been done to the engine, but it pulls the little C-HR along nicely enough anyway.

The new body kit is where you’ll notice the GR Sport changes most, in particular the GR-spec front grille, which gives the crossover a big, grumpy mouth, along with a shadow-chrome insert. There are also new, vertical corner intakes which incorporate a low-mounted fog-light on each side.

**READ MORE:

* Road Test Review: Toyota GR Yaris

* Top Brand: Toyota

The big wheels are a handsome addition to the C-HR, while the re-tuned suspension actually makes a noticeable difference.

* First Drive Review: Toyota GR Yaris

* Great Gazoo! First NZ drive of new Toyota Supra

The touchscreen infotainment system is standard Toyota fare.

GR side skirts, a rear diffuser, black lip spoiler and black mirror caps add to the extra visual flair, while Toyota has also added new 19-inch wheels to the package, along with a few GR badges. Not too many though, which is nice.

The GR Sport gets some very nice leather trimmed sports seats that are brilliantly supportive.

Being a GR Sport exclusive, the wheels look similar to what you’ll find on the GR Supra and GR Yaris. Which is to say, really nice, and the extra inch of diameter fills out the C-HR’s arches nicely.

Elsewhere are LED headlights and daytime running lights, heated and folding mirrors, rain-sensing wipers, keyless entry and a reversing camera.

The C-HR’s design isn’t to all tastes, but that hasn’t stopped it selling rather well indeed.

ON THE INSIDE

There aren’t many changes on the inside of the GR Sport, save for a GR-branded start button, a set of sports pedals and leather-accented front seats, dual-zone climate control, an 8-inch infotainment display with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, sat-nav, a six-speaker stereo and a small 4.2-inch display between the analogue driver gauges.

The rest of the interior is standard C-HR. Taller folk might be able to do short stints in the rear seats, but there isn’t much leg or headroom and the tiny windows positioned quite far forward of the seat are annoying. Best put the kids and the dog back there instead.

UNDER THE BONNET

The same electrified 1.8-litre four-cylinder as the C-HR Hybrid is present and untouched, which is a bit of a shame. Not because it’s a bad powerplant but more because the GR Sport moniker suggests the vehicle packs more punch than a cooking C-HR.

It’s connected to a CVT transmission too, which pushes the car further away from the ‘Sport’ part of the badge.

Thankfully, Toyota has at least spent some development tokens on the chassis. The suspension has been given a new tuning, aimed more for curvy open roads than absorbing bumps in the city. Specifically, there is a new centre floor brace, tweaked dampers, coil rates and stabiliser bars, and the steering has been adjusted.

Finally, ride height has been lowered by 15mm.

ON THE ROAD

Those changes are apparent on the road. While the normal C-HR isn’t exactly a poor performer out of the city, the GR Sport version is much happier roaming through back roads.

The new suspension tune keep things more level than before, which translates to more confident driving and faster corner speeds, necessary when you're only playing with 90kW of system power sent through an unstepped CVT. Cue droning when the pedal meets the metal.

Toyota’s work on the steering is appreciated also, offering more feedback to the driver without being overly weighted. That applies to urban driving too – the little crossover is still easy to navigate around mall carparks or small streets. It’s probably a bit too assisted but enthusiasts will either be content with the balance here or happier buying a Supra or GR Yaris.

Active safety stuff is included too, including active cruise control that works at all speeds, autonomous emergency braking and lane-keep assist, among other niceties.

The lane-departure warning system can be nervous, however, beeping if it loses lane markings or you move across the centre markings (for example, going around a parked car). It’s easy to switch off though, via the button on the steering wheel.

More confusing is the lack of systems like sonar parking sensors and accompanying automatic braking. This is a range-topping vehicle asking range-topping money, so it seems strange to omit parking sensors, of all things. Limited models also get illuminated starter buttons but the GR Sport doesn’t, another oddity considering Toyota went to the effort of giving it a special starter button in the first place.

The hybrid system is designed for economy over performance and will turn the engine off as much as possible to keep fuel consumption down.

While it’s difficult to fault when looking at it on its own, it isn’t the best system Toyota has at its disposal, considering the Yaris and Yaris Cross both use a newer system that offers performance while using less fuel.

It’s likely the new hybrid powertrain will be introduced on the next generation of C-HR, and it makes little sense for Toyota to shoehorn it into the current model, despite the GR Sport badging. It’s also possible that the Yaris’ system doesn’t make quite enough torque for C-HR duties, although that could be remedied with a larger electric motor.

VERDICT

While the C-HR GR Sport isn’t a perfect package, it’s still a great drive and a good-looking crossover. It’s also almost competing against itself, considering most other SUVs of its ilk are combustion-only.

There’s the $39,990 Kia Niro Hybrid EX , which has more power, more torque and lower claimed emissions but doesn’t quite look as good nor handle as well. Really, the stiffest competition comes from Toyota’s own stables, in the form of the Yaris Cross Hybrid ($39,490).

Going beyond hybrids, consider the Mazda CX-30 ($41,490 for the FWD GSX), the Ford Puma ST-Line ($37,990) or the Skoda Kamiq Monte Carlo ($43,990).