CARS OF THE WORLD

Toyota C-HR Nightshade 2021.

The 2021 Toyota C-HR is a front-wheel-drive hatchback with a spicy look and small size. To some, it may seem the SUV of the future, but, in fact, it is a stylish economy class car.

In 2021, a new version of Nightshade is released, and features for recognizing road signs and pedestrians are added to the standard active safety systems.

Specifications

The C-HR uses a 144-horsepower 2.0-liter inline 4-cylinder engine mated to a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT).

Performance is adequate without fanaticism, with a smooth ride, heavy steering and moderate acceleration.

When it comes to fuel efficiency, EPA gasoline consumption in the city is 8.7 liters per 100 kilometers, 7.5 liters on the highway and 8 liters per 100 kilometers in mixed mode.

The car is nice to look at, but the roofline of the C-HR hatchback reduces headroom in the rear seats as well as reduces rear visibility. Rear seat legroom is also scarce.

When it comes to safety, NHTSA gives the hatchback five stars for safety. All hatchback configurations are equipped with an automatic braking system, an automatic light switching system, an active full set of lane control assistants, and intelligent cruise control.

Blind spot monitoring is available on the XLE as well as the Limited trim, which are highly desirable because the car has thick roof struts that limit rear visibility. The IIHS rates the standard LED headlights as “bad” and the “good” on the Limited.

Options and prices

The C-HR is offered in three versions LE, XLE, and the top-end Limited.

1. LE for $ 22,565 has a smartphone screen mirroring system, an 8.0-inch touchscreen, a charging pad for mobile devices, an automatic multi-zone climate system, a set of active safety systems.

2. The $ 24,600 XLE package adds blind spot monitoring and keyless start.

3. The Limited trim costs $ 27,620 and adds heated front seats, power driver’s seat, and leather upholstery.
The warranty is 3 years or 36,000 miles with 2 years of service.

Exterior

The original style has its own charm. The C-HR is actually neater than when it was introduced in 2018, but it still has all the stylistic clues in the Toyota book.

He is distinctive and we like it, although he also has its drawbacks. It has a short 104-inch wheelbase and a tall roof. Its short shape is undulating, bending and winding like a mountain road.

With 17- or 18-inch wheels, the C-HR can be trimmed with a silver or black roof for added visual clutter.

Interior

The interior design is more traditional. Toyota trims the interior of this model with a rather low profile. The standard fabric upholstery is pleasant to the touch.

A large 8.0-inch touchscreen protrudes from the low dashboard, and the controls are high and not recessed into the console like some of the competition.

It’s more luxurious than it looks on the outside, especially the Limited with leather upholstery. The front seats are low but have a good range of adjustment, but that’s only on the Limited, whose leather seats are also heated.

The C-HR has just 32 inches of rear legroom, and the awkwardly shaped rear doors make it difficult to get in and out. There is not much room for the head either.

There is 538 liters of cargo space behind the rear seats, which increases to 1,040 liters when folded. These are modest numbers for a tall hatchback.

The Limited’s infotainment system is pretty good, but it’s always more convenient to use your smartphone.

Driving experience

The two-liter inline 4-cylinder C-HR engine produces just 144 horsepower and weighs about 1,490 kilograms, so the power of the power unit is unlikely to impress.

CVTs take time to adjust their gear ratios, which makes the C-HR slower to respond. The CVT has a «sport» mode with simulated gear shifting, but that doesn’t seem to change its behavior much.

The ride is very well controlled thanks to the use of front struts and multi-link independent rear suspension.

The steering is tight, but the handling is still more predictable than sloppy. However, the C-HR does feel pretty nimble on the road and handles tight turns well.

Summary

The 2021 Toyota C-HR Nightshade is a spectacular sight in our opinion. Its economy car roots are evident when it’s on the road, and backseat passengers will want more headroom.

But the model is strong in value and good infotainment, which has long been Toyota’s weakness.