Toyota C-HR 1st Gen (2016-2023) Expert Review

Toyota designed with a ruler, a scalpel and apparently very little interest in making it look ordinary. Even today, the shape remains distinctive. The sharply sculpted nose, narrow headlights, dramatic side creases and floating-roof effect give the C-HR a sporty appearance that separates it from conventional Japanese crossovers.

The rear is particularly interesting. The roof drops toward the back, the rear door handles are hidden high in the bodywork and the rear lights stretch across the tail section. It looks more like a concept car than something intended to spend its life parked outside a Dhaka apartment.

At 4,385 mm long and 1,795 mm wide, the C-HR is reasonably compact for Bangladesh. It has enough presence without becoming cumbersome in narrow streets or crowded parking areas. The 2,640 mm wheelbase gives it a planted stance while keeping the overall footprint manageable.

The downside is visibility. The thick rear pillars and small rear-side glass create significant blind areas. Fortunately, higher-grade cars can compensate with parking sensors, reversing cameras, blind-spot monitoring and panoramic-view cameras.

Ground clearance is another Bangladesh consideration. At roughly 140 mm, the C-HR is perfectly usable on normal paved roads but isn't something you want to attack a giant Dhaka speed breaker with.

Overall, the exterior remains the C-HR's signature strength: stylish, aggressive and unmistakably different.

The interior of the Toyota C-HR follows the same philosophy as the exterior: interesting first, conventional second. The dashboard is driver-focused and the seating position feels lower and sportier than a typical SUV. This is one of the reasons the C-HR feels more like a sporty hatchback from behind the steering wheel.

Front-seat comfort is good, particularly on higher grades with upgraded upholstery and additional seat adjustment. The steering wheel, controls and instrument display are straightforward, while automatic climate control and keyless entry make everyday use easy.

The rear is where the styling compromises become obvious. The roofline slopes down significantly, the windows are relatively small and the thick rear pillars make the cabin feel darker. Two adults will be comfortable enough for normal journeys, but three adults across the rear bench is not where the C-HR shines.

There are also no dedicated rear AC vents, which matters during Bangladesh's hot and humid summers. Front passengers get the better deal.

Boot capacity of around 377 litres is adequate for everyday shopping, small luggage and normal family use, but it isn't exceptional for a crossover.

The interior therefore works best when you think of the C-HR as a stylish five-seat compact crossover rather than a spacious family SUV. It is comfortable and well equipped at the front, but practicality takes a back seat to design.

The first-generation C-HR was technologically ambitious for its time. Toyota Safety Sense is one of the most important features, combining pre-collision technology, lane-departure warning and adaptive/radar cruise control on relevant specifications.

Higher-grade cars can also feature Blind Spot Monitor, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, parking assistance, panoramic-view monitoring and upgraded lighting. Toyota's own used-car equipment listings confirm examples equipped with Toyota Safety Sense, lane-departure warning, cruise control, Blind Spot Monitor and panoramic-view cameras, while also warning that preventive-safety equipment varies by grade.

For everyday Bangladesh driving, some of these features are genuinely useful. Parking sensors and cameras are excellent in cramped Dhaka parking spaces. Blind-spot monitoring is useful when motorcycles appear alongside the car. Adaptive cruise control is particularly useful on longer highway trips.

The entertainment system varies considerably depending on the imported car. Japanese-market examples can have different navigation and multimedia systems, so a touchscreen in one C-HR does not necessarily mean the same system exists in another.

Apple CarPlay and Android Auto availability also depends on the multimedia system and market specification, so they should be checked on the individual car rather than assumed from the model name.

Overall, the C-HR offers a good mixture of comfort, convenience and safety technology, but grade and equipment differences matter enormously.

Safety is one of the strongest reasons to consider the C-HR. Toyota gave the first-generation model a comprehensive active-safety package, and later versions benefited from further Toyota Safety Sense improvements.

The system can provide forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking through Toyota's Pre-Collision Safety system. Lane-departure warning and lane assistance help reduce unintended lane departures, while radar cruise control makes longer highway drives easier.

The braking system includes ABS, EBD and Brake Assist, while traction control and vehicle stability control help maintain control during sudden manoeuvres or slippery conditions. Multiple airbags, seatbelt warning systems and ISOFIX child-seat mounting points add passive protection.

Higher specifications can add Blind Spot Monitor and Rear Cross Traffic Alert. Some versions also offer a panoramic-view camera system, which is particularly useful in Bangladesh because narrow parking areas and dense traffic can make judging the car's surroundings difficult. Toyota's equipment listings specifically show examples with blind-spot monitoring and panoramic-view monitoring.

There is one important caveat with a reconditioned car: safety technology only works properly when the sensors, cameras, radar hardware and body structure are correctly repaired after an accident. A C-HR with a clean auction history and functioning safety systems is therefore much more desirable than a cosmetically repaired example with unknown history.

For its generation, the C-HR offers a strong combination of active and passive safety.

The 1.8L hybrid is where the C-HR becomes particularly interesting for Bangladesh. It isn't exceptionally fast, but it is extremely smooth around town.

The 1.8-litre 2ZR-FXE engine works with Toyota's hybrid system and an e-CVT. The combined system produces 122 PS, while the electric motor provides strong immediate low-speed response. There is no conventional gearbox hunting through gears in Dhaka traffic. You simply press the accelerator and the car moves.

That makes the C-HR particularly pleasant during crawling traffic. The hybrid system can use electric assistance at low speeds, reducing unnecessary petrol-engine operation. With the AC running and traffic barely moving, fuel economy will obviously suffer, but the hybrid architecture remains well suited to stop-start driving.

The chassis is more entertaining than you might expect. The C-HR's low centre of gravity and TNGA platform give it a planted feel through corners. Steering is reasonably responsive, and body control is better than in many ordinary compact crossovers.

On highways, the car feels stable and composed. The 1.8 hybrid isn't a rocket ship, but it has sufficient performance for normal overtaking and cruising.

The 1.2-litre turbo is different. Its 185 Nm torque figure gives it a stronger conventional turbocharged feel, and Japanese versions were available with FWD and 4WD. Toyota lists 116 PS and 185 Nm for this engine.

For Bangladesh, however, the 1.8 hybrid makes the most sense for urban driving.