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Fast Facts
Model: Toyota C-HR XLE PremiumColor: Iceberg BlueEngine: 2.0-liter, four-cylinderFuel Economy: 31 mpg highway, 27 mpg cityPrice (as tested): $26,039Dealerships: Capital Toyota
In another age they might have called this little Toyota "jazzy." Today, the word "edgy" comes to mind.
Call it what you like, but don't call the new-for-2018 Toyota C-HR "ordinary" or "boring." If the VW Beetle and the Nissan Murano were to have a love child, it would look something like this.
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The C-HR is another in Toyota's seemingly endless stable of crossovers. At base, it's an urban run-about with some plastic cladding and slightly elevated seating height. Performance is modest and storage volume is rather pedestrian, too, but the eye-catching design will undoubtedly net thousands of customers.
The C-HR - which stands for "coupe high-rider" - was originally designed as a Scion model, before Toyota discontinued its youth-focused brand. That explains some of the quirky styling, such as rear door handles hidden up high near the roof-line. What's up with that, Toyota?
We recently spent several days in a Iceberg Blue C-HR with a white roof. Parked in our driveway next to our son's VooDoo Blue Toyota FJ Cruiser (larger, but also with a white roof) the two vehicles looked like husband and wife.
JUST THE FACTS
The Toyota C-HR is a compact crossover equipped with a 144 horsepower, four- cylinder engine and a continuously-variable transmission. It seats five (in a pinch) and excels at fuel economy, 31 mpg city and 27 mpg in highway driving. While performance is modest, it's a head-turning little beast built for commuting and light-duty weekend jaunts.
SAFETY FIRST
Toyota limits trim levels and packages for simpler pricing. Consequently, the C-HR comes with a high level of standard content including Toyota's advanced Safety Sense package. This includes pedestrian detection, lane-departure alert, automatic high beams and radar cruise control. There are also 10 - count 'em, 10 - airbags. Our tester also comes with the XLE premium package which adds a blind spot monitor and rear, cross-traffic alert.
COOL STUFF
The C-HR has plenty of cool features, such as dual puddle lamps that project "C-HR" onto the ground around your crossover. The white roof, an option Toyota calls R-code, costs $500 extra but really changes the personality of the vehicle. In our view, it's worth the money.
HOW MUCH
The bottom-line MSRP on our well-equipped tester is $26,039. A base XLE model starts at $22,500.
IT'S GOOD FOR CHATTANOOGA BUYERS BECAUSE...
If Chattanooga truly is becoming a magnet for urban hipsters, the C-HR is just the kind of vehicle you'd want if you're a downtown apartment dweller. It's funky, easy to park and has Toyota genes. What more could you ask for?
ACTUALLY, WE'D WISH FOR
Two things, really. First, we'd love a little more horsepower; perhaps an optional four-cylinder turbocharged engine. Also, an all-wheel-drive option would help the C-HR round-out its crossover aspirations.
WHILE YOU ARE LOOKING
Also check out the Honda HR-V, Mazda CX-3 and Kia Niro.
Contact Mark Kennedy at mkennedy@timesfreepress.com or 423-645-8937.