Toyota C-HR Any (Constructive) thoughts?

Gepetto

Gepetto

Gepetto

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Deepest, Darkest, Essex.
The child is turning 17 next month and I'm already bracing myself!

SWMBO's car is a 1600 Mini Cooper and I have a BMW 330i, neither of which are particularly liked by insurance companies, when in conjunction with a new (male) driver. The fact we live in an SS postcode in Essex doesn't help the matter.

So, the shortlist to replace the Beamer has come down to a C-HR at about 10K or under. It would have to be the 1.2l version.

I've never owned a hybrid, but believe Toyotas to be fairly reliable, and I've been asking people in the street what they think of their C-HR's. The comments have all been positive so far.

Does anyone have any experience of, or with, them? TIA
 
Is the intention to insure your son while he's learning? Have you run quotes?

You may find while he's learning it's not too expensive to add him to your insurance, particularly on the mini.

It normally gets expensive once he's passed and will be driving independently.

On the topic of CHRs, I work with a couple of people who have them and neither gave had any issues. Interestingly though, both seem to have chosen it solely based on loving it's looks.
 
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you're right re toyota and hybrids, they've been doing it for a very long time so know it well.. mate had one from new for a while and had no issues.

I have a lexus rx450h 2010 and it's still going strong - just a more luxorious toyota.
 
jellybeard999 said:
Is the intention to insure your son while he's learning? Have you run quotes?

You may find while he's learning it's not too expensive to add him to your insurance, particularly on the mini.

It normally gets expensive once he's passed and will be driving independently.

On the topic of CHRs, I work with a couple of people who have them and neither gave had any issues. Interestingly though, both seem to have chosen it solely based on loving it's looks.
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Hi @jellybeard999 yes he will be insured from the beginning and the costs once he has passed are the concern.

The smaller 1.2l with all the modern driving aids is coming out a lot better than the 1.6l Mini (which has no driver aids) but we will only really be able to finalise prices when he actually passes.

I do actually like the looks so I can understand their thought process. If I was buying one simply for myself though it would be the 2l version! Or as @grudas mentions it would be a bigger RX.
 
I've been in (but never driven) a few Ch-Rs as they are a surprisingly popular UBER in France.

Tbh they're totally fine if you like the look of them, innofensive interior, but dark but hardly a deal breaker. Not even as small as I expected them to be much of a muchness with a Golf overall and you'll have access to the Toyota warranty if you service with them etc while you own
 
I’ve driven a couple of 18/19 plate models and they’re good. Not amazing but good. And that’s ok because they weren’t designed to be amazing. Higher speeds can see some wind noise on the front windows, and the rear can be a bit cramped and dark. Plastics are not too high quality but are hard so durable. The hybrid was seamless and its a comfortable place. Even MrsHB liked it and she is very picky!
 
Cheers @HoneyBadger Did you have any issues with rear visibility?

That's one thing I've forgotten to ask people, and from the outside it looks like it might be restricted.
 
Gepetto said:
Cheers @HoneyBadger Did you have any issues with rear visibility?

That's one thing I've forgotten to ask people, and from the outside it looks like it might be restricted.
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Fair question. From memory it wasn’t great. Reversing was ok as it’s quite a small car and had a camera/sensors. Rear visibility matters less to me as I get older, as I appreciate the ‘shield’ from rear dazzling lights!
 
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These are basically just a Prius made worse in every way, just so it can be an "SUV".

Same engine and hybrid system as a Prius but people say they aren't as smooth or ride as nicely. Smaller inside, way less cargo space.

They'll last well enough, it's a Toyota. But you're better off just buying a Prius.
 
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[ Must be cheaper to get a manual license from the outset - rather than a res-sit/upgrade down the line; although driving an ev doesn't give hesitancy at junctions,
I think smoothly/safely driving/reversing an automatic in a test would be more challenging than a manual ]
 
jpaul said:
[ Must be cheaper to get a manual license from the outset - rather than a res-sit/upgrade down the line; although driving an ev doesn't give hesitancy at junctions,
I think smoothly/safely driving/reversing an automatic in a test would be more challenging than a manual ]
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Why would gearbox make a difference to how safely you can drive?
 
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tom_e said:
Why would gearbox make a difference to how safely you can drive?
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it's academic, now, as he confirmed he does need a manual as I had implied, but -
Is it easier to pass an automatic driving test?
Not necessarily. The average pass rate for automatic driving tests is around 39.2% since records began, and the pass rate for 2021/22 was 41.7%. Compare this to the average pass rate for the UK, which was at 48.9% in 2021/22, and you’ll see that the pass rate isn’t as high for automatic driving tests.
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correlation doesn't imply causality but gearbox can be contributory for learners safety

e:
interesting thread/video on increased cost of automatic versus manual insurance https://www.ftypeforums.co.uk/viewtopic.php?t=8438
lol Having a manual car in about 20 years time will be the perfect anti-theft measure

]
 
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As a Corolla owner, I would avoid the 1.2. I had one of these in a C-HR as a courtesy car for a day and it was horrible.

I really rate the hybrids, but the 1.2 has no redeeming features - look at something else if a manual is a must, but if they can be persuaded to an auto the hybrid drive train is very good.
 
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