Toyota C-HR G Hybrid Expert Review

Bold coupe-SUV styling

The Toyota C-HR G Hybrid is one of those cars that refuses to look sensible. And that is precisely why it works. While most compact crossovers seem to have been designed by committee, the C-HR looks as though someone actually had a sketchbook and a dangerous amount of confidence.

The front end is sharp and low, with aggressive headlights and a heavily sculpted bumper. The side profile is even more dramatic, with enormous character lines running through the doors and rear quarter panels. The hidden rear door handles make the roof appear to float above the body, while the sloping rear section gives the C-HR a coupe-like silhouette.

The G Hybrid's standard 18-inch alloy wheels help fill the arches nicely, and the rear spoiler and LED lighting complete the sporty appearance. Toyota's official G specification confirms the 18-inch wheels and standard rear/roof spoiler.

For Bangladesh, the dimensions are sensible. At 4,385 mm long and 1,795 mm wide, it has enough road presence without becoming cumbersome in Dhaka. The 5.2-metre turning radius also makes tight urban manoeuvres reasonably easy.

But there is a price for all that theatre. Rear visibility is poor because of the thick pillars and small rear glass. The 140 mm ground clearance also means this is not the crossover to attack Dhaka's largest speed breakers at speed.

Still, parked beside ordinary SUVs, the C-HR is the one people notice.

Stylish front, compromised rear

The C-HR's interior continues the exterior's theme of doing things differently. Instead of giving you the usual anonymous Toyota dashboard, it creates a driver-focused cabin with a layered dashboard and controls angled naturally toward the driver.

The G Hybrid gets a leather-wrapped steering wheel, automatic climate control, power windows, smart entry and push-button starting. The driving position is relatively low, which makes the C-HR feel more like a sporty hatchback than a conventional SUV.

The infotainment system is more modern than the early first-generation cars. The 2022 Japanese catalogue confirms an 8-inch Display Audio system as standard, with Bluetooth, USB, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto support.

The front seats are comfortable and supportive enough for long drives. But the rear passengers have less reason to celebrate. The sloping roof reduces the sense of headroom, while the thick rear pillars make the rear cabin feel darker. There are also no dedicated rear AC vents, which is noticeable during Bangladesh's hot summer.

The rear seat folds to increase cargo flexibility, but the C-HR is not a space-maximising machine. It is a compact crossover designed around style.

That makes the G Hybrid particularly good for one or two people, couples and small families. If carrying five adults regularly is important, the rear accommodation will feel noticeably tighter than a more conventional SUV.

Technology that matters

The C-HR G Hybrid has a useful mixture of comfort, infotainment and driver-assistance technology rather than simply throwing gadgets at the dashboard.

The 8-inch Display Audio system supports Bluetooth, USB, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, giving you the important smartphone functions without needing to depend entirely on the Japanese navigation system.

Toyota Safety Sense is the more important technology. The system includes pre-collision safety functions, lane-departure assistance, road-sign recognition and adaptive/radar cruise-control technology. Toyota also introduced improved detection capability on later C-HR models, including pedestrians and cyclists in appropriate conditions.

Depending on exact equipment, the C-HR can also have Blind Spot Monitor, rear cross-traffic assistance, parking sensors, rear camera and panoramic-view monitoring. These features are especially useful in Bangladesh, where motorcycles, rickshaws and vehicles moving through tight spaces can make rear visibility difficult.

The G Hybrid also has automatic climate control, smart key entry, push-button start, 18-inch alloys, LED lighting and a leather steering wheel.

One thing to watch with imported Japanese cars is equipment variation. A G Hybrid with additional factory options can look almost identical to another G Hybrid while having more technology.

So the C-HR is not merely stylish. In the right specification, it is properly equipped for modern everyday driving.

Safety & Driver Assistance

The Toyota C-HR 1.8 Hybrid takes a practical approach to safety, with its recorded equipment covering the systems that matter most in everyday driving. Its listed safety equipment includes ABS, brake assist, traction control, electronic stability control, tyre-pressure monitoring, driver airbag, passenger airbag, and side airbags. The combination gives the C-HR a clear safety character rather than relying on equipment names alone. The vehicle has 4 recorded airbags, adding protection around the cabin. Driver assistance is strengthened by forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and driver attention warning. ABS, braking assistance, stability control, parking support and child-seat mounting points can make a meaningful difference in crowded city traffic, tight parking areas and longer highway journeys when fitted to this configuration. For the complete equipment breakdown, see the full safety review and the full specifications and features. The full features review puts the safety kit alongside the rest of the vehicle's technology, while the driving experience review explains how the car behaves on the road. You can also browse the detailed image gallery, owner reviews, and all variants before comparing the Toyota C-HR 1.8 Hybrid with Honda CR-V and Mazda 3 give you direct alternatives. These details give the Toyota C-HR 1.8 Hybrid a clearer safety picture for everyday use.

Smooth, efficient and surprisingly entertaining

The C-HR G Hybrid does not feel like an ordinary economy hybrid. It has a slightly mischievous character.

The 1.8-litre 2ZR-FXE engine works with Toyota's hybrid system to produce 122 PS combined. The electric motor contributes 53 kW and 163 Nm, giving the car immediate low-speed response. The result is not explosive acceleration — 0–100 km/h takes roughly 11 seconds — but it is smooth and predictable.

In Dhaka traffic, this powertrain makes enormous sense. Stop, crawl, accelerate, brake, repeat. The hybrid system is comfortable with that routine, and the e-CVT eliminates the constant gear changes you get from a conventional automatic.

The car is also more entertaining on open roads. The TNGA-based chassis gives the C-HR a low, planted feel, while the double-wishbone rear suspension helps keep the body controlled through corners. Toyota's official specification confirms MacPherson struts at the front and double wishbones at the rear.

Highway driving is comfortable, although overtaking requires a little planning because the 1.8 Hybrid prioritises efficiency rather than outright power.

Bangladesh's biggest issue is the ground clearance. At 140 mm, the C-HR is perfectly happy on normal paved roads but needs care over large speed breakers and badly damaged surfaces.

Drive it sensibly and the C-HR feels refined, quiet and efficient. Drive it like a rally car over Dhaka's potholes and it will quickly remind you that it is not one.