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# 2018 Toyota C-HR XLE - Bottom Line Review
- URL: https://www.roadblazing.com/2018-toyota-c-hr-xle-bottom-line-review/
- Published: 2018-04-16T17:59:00.000Z
- Updated: 2024-05-20T17:13:14.000Z
- Author: Tomasz Paluch
- Tags: Crossover Utility Vehicles

(Contributing Editor: George Straton)

### *When Toyota pulled the plug on it's aspirationally youthful Scion North American sub-brand in 2017 it admitted a re-thinking of the product needed to compete for younger hearts and minds. Only the later term Scion models, such as a Toyobaru (86), a European hatchback Auris (Corolla iM) and a Mazda Demio (Yaris iA) would survive un re-badging.* 

### *But also just then making the auto show rounds was brazenly imaginative, ready for production concept "mini cute ute" called C-HR. For Compact-High Rider. Or Coupe-High Rider. Possibly a portmanteau of Honda's CR-V and HR-V?*  

### *With a simple badge swap, this temporarily badged Scion would not be still born. For it was foretold that the 2018 C-HR would become the Little Engine that Could bring younger buyers into the Toyota fold.*  

### 

### **\* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \***

*WHAT:* All-new **2018 Toyota C-HR XLE** sub-compact sports activity vehicle, built off the G-AC floorpan of the automaker's new **T**oyota **N**ew **G**lobal **A**rchitecture flexible platform.  

Standard Power: 1987 cc, dual VVT-i DOHC 16V I-4 cylinder gasoline engine: 144 hp/ 139 lb-ft;

*WHAT (A) STYLING DIFFERENCE:* Unlike anything Toyota or Scion has ever offered before on these shores; A collection of oblique concave panels reminiscent of Jørn Utzon's Sydney Opera House. **√** V-shaped hood floats over razor thin wrap-around front projector beam light housings; **√** No grille; **√** Dark cladding runs entire perimeter, also forming mud flaps; **√** Jutting chin lower air dam;C-HR

**√** Muscular front fenders; **√** Large wheels arches filled by 18" smoked wheels; **√** Rising beltline and cheat-line rise to meet \[opt.\] contrast color teardrop roof; **√** Flush door handles fitted at the top most joint with the C-pillar = Floating Roof;

![2018 Toyota C-HR XLE: profile view featuring flush high-mount rear door handles, blending w/ C-pillars](https://storage.ghost.io/c/42/d1/42d1f09d-2bf9-43a2-b325-08ba7efa19c5/content/images/wordpress/2018/04/RB-2018-Toyota-C-HR-XLE-ext-rr-side-005.jpg)

2018 Toyota C-HR XLE: profile view featuring flush high-mount rear door handles, blending w/ C-pillars

**√** Rear quarters, pierced by boomerang lighting, crease into cubic corners; **√** De-rigeur roof spoiler = slatted; **√** Sloped tailgate culminates in a concave panel with subtle lip.

*WHY*: A sticking-its-tongue-out cute-ute with an available two-tone dye-job to match the alternative young crowd's.

*WHEN:* On-Sale (in the U.S.) since Autumn 2017

*WHERE:* Toyota new vehicle dealers

*WHERE MADE*: Sakarya, Turkey

*WHERE TO:* Anywhere with pavement; Eminently fittable in tight urban quarters; With only 0.5" more clearance than a Prius, don't even think about off-road adventures.

*HOW ROADWORTHY:* *The youthfully wacky design belies a surprisingly couth character:*

The power / drivetrain is copped from the 300 lbs. lighter **Corolla iM sportback**; Extra mass does no acceleration favors; Only using the cumbersome MFI screen to select Sport mode + Manumatic CVT shift lever toggling will permit quasi linear locomotion to 5500 rpm and thereby avoid humiliation by a Prius.

Camber on the front strut, rear dual wishbone chassis is set for some straight tracking on the wide, grippy 225-50VR/ 18 Dunlop Sport SP5000's; Behold two suprises: Quick steering is accurate, while stiff springs paired with improved damping rebound control yield Camry-esque compliance; Pedal modulation on the biting 4-wheel disc brakes dislikes jabs.

*HOW FAR:* **33** combined **m**iles **p**er **g**allon; 475 miles highway range

*HOW BIG/ LITTLE:* **√ C-HR** wheelbase **\=** 1.7" > **Honda HR-V**, 2.8" > **Mazda CX-3**; **\-1** only 31.7"-inches Row 2 legroom \= 7.6"< **HR-V**, 2.7" < **CX-3**; **\-1** 500 lbs. \> **CX-3**;

![2018 Toyota C-HR XLE: Row 2 entry featuring high rising towards rear panel, but limited door pocket storage](https://storage.ghost.io/c/42/d1/42d1f09d-2bf9-43a2-b325-08ba7efa19c5/content/images/wordpress/2018/04/RB-2018-Toyota-C-HR-XLE-entry-Row-2-door-005.jpg)

2018 Toyota C-HR XLE: Row 2 entry featuring high rising towards rear panel, but limited door pocket storage

*HOW USEFUL:* **√** Low load floor w/ 60/40% split 2nd Row seat backs; **√** Flexible cargo shade; **√** Acceptable front, modest rear door pocket storage; **+1** Front seat bolstering; **\-1** Outward visibility from high cowl, obtrusive side pillars, short liftgate window; **\-1** Heavy liftgate action; **\-1** No liftgate grab ledge or release switch; Tow Rating: *Not Rated*.

![2018 Toyota C-HR XLE: cargo loading and expandable capacity](https://storage.ghost.io/c/42/d1/42d1f09d-2bf9-43a2-b325-08ba7efa19c5/content/images/wordpress/2018/04/RB-2018-Toyota-C-HR-XLE-cargo005.jpg)

2018 Toyota C-HR XLE: cargo loading and expandable capacity

**\-1** Cargo space (expanded) = 40% < **Honda HR-V**, 18% < **Mazda CX-3**;

*HOW SAFE*: **√** 8 airbags; **√** Rear camera; **√** Full adaptive cruise control; **√** Lane departure warning, prevention; **√** Collision avoidance emergency braking; **√** E-parking brake w/ auto hold; **\-1** Lane departure warning has difficulty sensing lane markings; **\-1** Rear camera display in rear-view mirror;

![2018 Toyota C-HR XLE: Rear camera integrated into rear view mirror, Dimpled head liner w/ only first row retracting grab pulls](https://storage.ghost.io/c/42/d1/42d1f09d-2bf9-43a2-b325-08ba7efa19c5/content/images/wordpress/2018/04/RB-2018-Toyota-C-HR-XLE-cabin-rear-mirror-camera-dash-005.jpg)

2018 Toyota C-HR XLE: Rear camera integrated into rear view mirror, Dimpled head liner w/ only first row retracting grab pulls

*HOW PEOPLE FRIENDLY:* **√** Sport bolstered front bucket seats; **√** 4 power windows = full express; **√** Height adjustable front pax seat; **√** Tilt & telescoping, cross-stitched leather wrapped steering wheel w/ spoke-integrated controls; **√** Dual zone automatic climate control; **+1** Wind & road noise isolation; **\-1** Hard to reach / buckle front safety belts;**\-1** Annoying occupied safety belt disuse chime; **\-1** Non-distinctive steering wheel redundant controls; **\-1** Inconvenience of navigating MFI Trip menu to change drive modes; -**1** Fuel door release and auto high beam switches obscured;

![2018 Toyota C-HR XLE: center console storage, connectivity & power supply](https://storage.ghost.io/c/42/d1/42d1f09d-2bf9-43a2-b325-08ba7efa19c5/content/images/wordpress/2018/04/RB-2018-Toyota-C-HR-XLE-cockpit-storage-center-console-004.jpg)

2018 Toyota C-HR XLE: center console storage, connectivity & power supply

*Cool Gizmo(s)*: **√** Rear door concealed exterior high-mount handles; **√** See exterior "STYLING" (above);  

*Details Done Right:* **√** Piano black gloss instrument panel & steering wheel ; ***√*** Exposed stitch padded layered dashboard canopy; **√** Metallic vent bezels*;* ***√*** Partial simulated carbon fiber door panels; **√** Blue-green night switch illumination; ***√*** Front and 2nd Row dome courtesy lights;  

*Nearly Non-Descript*: **\-1** Industrial grain hard dark plastics throughout, **\-1** Monolithic dark plastic covers much of rear door windows filtering out light; **\-1** Cheezy, fussy elastic loop hooks for cargo shade; **\-1** Headliner dimples;

*HOW "APP" -LICABLE:* **√** Semi- dash-top 7.0"-inch capacitive touch LCD infotainment screen; **+1** Large icons; **√** Voice learning hands-free communications; **√** 6-speaker, 160 W w/ streaming audio & HD radio; **√** Mobile powered APPS **\=** Siri-Eyes, Pandora, aHa radio, podcasts & Nearby

![2018 Toyota C-HR XLE: cockpit layout mixes large needle analogue gauges with driver canter center stack featuring 7.0" LCD touch infotainment including wireless device powered Pandora music & "aHa" location apps](https://storage.ghost.io/c/42/d1/42d1f09d-2bf9-43a2-b325-08ba7efa19c5/content/images/wordpress/2018/04/RB-2018-Toyota-C-HR-XLE-cockpit-instrumentation-005.jpg)

2018 Toyota C-HR XLE: cockpit layout mixes large needle analogue gauges with driver canter center stack featuring 7.0" LCD touch infotainment including wireless device powered Pandora music & "aHa" location apps

**√** Subscription based: Sirius XM (90 day free trial);

**√** USB x 1, 12V x 1; **+1** Acceptable lower center stack mobile device shelf;

*HOW MUCH: *$24,381** \= monospec **2018 Toyota C-HR XLE**;

*WHAT'S MISSING:* All Wheel Drive; Greater locomotion; Modern infotainment (*either Entune or Android Auto / Apple Car Play will suffice*); Extra USB port; 2nd Row power supply; Row 2 ceiling grab handles.

*ANY COMPETITION:* **Ford Ecosport: +1** Conventional 6-speed automatic transaxle, AWD, Sync3 infotainment; **Honda HR-V: +1**  Rear seat space & cargo versatility, AWD, Infotainment; **Mazda CX-3: +1** Conventional 6-speed automatic transaxle, AWD, Performance, Fuel economy, Soft touch surfaces, Infotainment ;

*BOTTOM LINE:* Filling the bizarro styling void left by the departure of the **Nissan Juke**.