In-depth reviews
Toyota C-HR Hybrid owner reviews
"Efficient, stylish and easy to drive, the Toyota C-HR Hybrid is an appealing car – as long as you can live with the gearbox"
Carbuyer Rating
4.2 out of 5
Owners Rating
2.8 out of 5
Advertisement
Reviews
Owner Reviews
- 5 out of 5
- 4 out of 5
- 3 out of 5
- 2 out of 5
- 1 out of 5
46%of people would recommend this car to a friendCommon Problems
- Other (6 cases)
- Electrics, Other (1 case)
Review 1 of 13
1 out of 5
Car Details
Model
1.7 hybrid icon
Year
2019
Avg annual mileage
15,000 – 19,999
Owned
Less than a year
Bought Car
Used
Typical MPG
35
Tell us what you think about your car?
The car is a good looker and I have not had any problems yet.
It is a company car and come with electric heated leather seats and sat nav.
The MPG is awful to be honest.
My commute is 50 miles from plymouth to just outside Exeter.
Although the display states 57.2mpg it is a lot less ( I do about 70 or slightly below).
I topped up on monday 466 miles to next fill was shown, after 3 legs it now reads 217 miles!!!!! I have covered 150.
I notice also whilst in electric mode only, the miles still tumble !
You can hardly hear a caller when on hands free.
I had a 2.2d jag before this. I wish I had kept it the mpg on that with my toe down knocked spots off this!
Get yourself a diesel and steer clear of these hyped up hybrids.
What you save in tax will go out the exhaust.
Would you recommend the car to a friend?
No
1 out of 5
Car Details
Model
5 Door
Year
192
Bought Car
New
Tell us what you think about your car?
Severe water ingress problem. It's now sitting in a Toyota dealer, where their mechanics want to strip panels, and reseal my new car.
Would you recommend the car to a friend?
No
4 out of 5
Car Details
Model
1.8 Hybrid
Year
2017
Avg annual mileage
5,000 – 9,999
Owned
1 - 2 years
Bought Car
New
Typical MPG
60
Tell us what you think about your car?
Really nice looking car, comfortable to drive, has enough power for everyday driving. Lots of driving assists if you like that sort of thing, but they can get really annoying with all the bells and tings going off. Economy very good especially if your driving slow around towns which usually runs the car on all electric. Don't see it as an SUV as there's not enough room, but great as an alternative to a small saloon and would recommend it that reason as it's comfortable on long trips.
Against is the poor Satnav, slow in responding and causes confusion when driving. The front lower bumper trim sits far too low for an SUV and you have to be very careful when you get anywhere near a kerb or a change in height of the road in front, it needs to be at least two inches higher if not more. Had to take it back in when the back up battery on the electrics went wrong, but the dealer is really good and they have always sorted any probs really quickly.
Would you recommend the car to a friend?
Yes 
1 out of 5
Car Details
Model
5 Door
Year
192
Owned
Less than a year
Bought Car
New
Typical MPG
22
Tell us what you think about your car?
4 MONTHS OLD.. DUCT LEAKS ON ROOF BELOW ROOF TRACK BOUGHT A DEMO M50 TOYOTA THEY HAVE IT 9 DAYS ..A YOUNG MECHANIC TOLD ME THEY PACKED IT WITH SEALANT ,,?...THEY HAVE IT 9 DAYS NOW.. TERRIBLE AFTER SALES SERVICE..MY WIFE ONLY DID 12 MILES IN THE CAR THEN THE STINKING SMELL STARTED, WE LOOKED AT THE CAUSE , AND FOUND IT WAS SOAKING INTERIOR EG ; BACK SHELF MATS, INSIDE WINDOWS..THANKS TOYOTA FOR TROUBLE FREE MOTORING...NEVER AGAIN FRANK..(PLEASE NOTE I MAILED MAIN PERSON IN TOYOTA IRELAND NO REPLY..)
Would you recommend the car to a friend?
No
4 out of 5
Car Details
Model
Dynamic
Year
2018
Avg annual mileage
5,000 – 9,999
Owned
1 - 2 years
Bought Car
Used
Typical MPG
58
Tell us what you think about your car?
Very quiet if not driven hard. Have been on long trips, 200-300 miles, and have found it very comfortable. Have had plenty of 60+mpg on long runs. The CH-R is a joy to drive and my wife loves it.
Would you recommend the car to a friend?
Yes
2 out of 5
Car Details
Model
CH-R Excel 1.8 Hybrid
Year
2019
Avg annual mileage
5,000 – 9,999
Bought Car
Used
Typical MPG
53
Tell us what you think about your car?
All form and no substance. This is an attractive car and I was first drawn to it by this. We have one in grey and it really is a good looking vehicle but I want to drive it, not date it.
Pros: In its favour, as I say, it looks nice. The interface for radio, sat nav etc. is very easy, though a little high for my liking, as it blocks too much of the screen. Reversing camera is pretty good but takes a little getting used to due to distorted perspective (necessary of course).
Good mileage but nothing like the 75mpg promised. Real careful driving will get you about 53mpg and no more.
Very safe car. Though no more so than a GLA or 308 or CX5. Lots of airbags and crumple zones and warnings.
Cons: I have always disliked the idea of keyless entry and find it is just a gimmick, an inconvenient and expensive gimmick but alas it came with the package. Like 3D TV this will pass and car sellers will realise people just do not like it. It is always put in in the higher specs but has anyone ever really asked for it as an optional extra?
Reviews suggested the engine noise was a bit noticeable. Really? Did these reviewers drive it? The noise is utterly terrible and radio has to go from 17 to 41 just to compensate. I seriously think this car could damage your hearing. Add to that the road noise and it is the worst car I have ever driven for noise and I have two mark 1 Ford Capris (1968) and a Mark one Escort, so I know road noise.
I mention the road noise as secondary but make no mistake; it is the worst I have ever heard. It is almost obliterated however by the engine/gearbox arrangement. I dread to think what Sport mode would sound like… Maybe bleeding ears.
Then we come to the blind spot. Yes Toyota have done a good job covering this on the driver side and the extra warning on the wing mirror is useful but to be honest, as far as I can see, though a little tight, there is no blind spot on the driver side… The passenger side however has a massive blind spot and whilst this is also covered with a mirror, those of us used to doing a final over shoulder check, are out of luck!
Reversing is like reversing a van. The view out the rear is useless so one must rely on wing mirrors and the reversing camera. Now I get the camera is useful but I live down a country lane so often have to do long windy reverses and as much as James Bond can drive blinded but for a camera, most of us have neither the talent or inclination to do so.
The cabin is not small or cramped but it feels that way. The design has landed the door crosspiece 2-inches too high to rest an elbow and the closing handle 3-inches too low for the same purpose. A small thing you might think but one which Mercedes seem to get, as does Mazda and VW.
The rear space is adequate and to be fair, more than expected but it is very dark and dungeon-like.
I am only five foot ten and still bang my head on the roof handle getting out. Six footers and over may well be decapitated on exit. There is no CD player and that is not yet lost technology. Also you have to re-link your phone every trip, unlike other systems.
All-in-all I have had about 18 new cars in my time and this is the only one I regret. For the £29k I could have had a GLA. On the plus side, they hold their price so in a year or two I shall part-exchange for a nice Mercedes as they care more about detail and less about show.
I regret this is what I have to say, particularly as I have owned four Toyota RAV4 but stopped buying them with the last update and they turned from good strong cars to tin cans on wheels.
Would you recommend the car to a friend?
No
2 out of 5
Car Details
Model
TOYOTA C-HR HYBRID HSD EXCE
Year
2017
Avg annual mileage
10,000 – 14,999
Owned
1 - 2 years
Bought Car
Used
Tell us what you think about your car?
As a former Prius and Auris Hybrid driver I am so disillusioned with this offering from Toyota.
What is this trend where the designers think the car and its 'artificial intelligence' knows better than a driver? If I could I would tell Toyota to allow total turning off of all driver aids as the default setting and, if you (the driver) are so inclined, to allow those 'semi autonomous' features you want to use to be selected individually.
The driver aids can be scarily dangerous, especially in urban environments. The car sometimes overrides the driver for the most stupid and dangerous of reasons, such as when it sees a dip in the road or an incline as an obstruction even on the weakest sensor settings.
Another irritant, though a very minor point is there is little or no internal concealed storage. For example, the Prius had loads of cubby holes that took a first aid kit, a blanket, emergency shovel, spare coat etc. The Auris Excel had fewer but enough. The C-HR has none. As a result it is a mess inside. On the plus side, as a hybrid, it's quite fuel-efficient.
Would you recommend the car to a friend?
No
5 out of 5
Car Details
Model
Excel
Year
2018
Owned
Less than a year
Bought Car
Used
Typical MPG
60
Tell us what you think about your car?
A lovely easy car to drive. Very quiet, loads of kit and a premium finish inside. Part leather seats and lots of premium materials in the cockpit. I am totally smitten even though I am not Toyotas target young customer. It really is a lovely car and knocks spots off other makes. Engine is so quiet. People have moaned about the high revs when you put your foot down but its an SUV its not meant to be raced. I love everything about it.
Would you recommend the car to a friend?
Yes
5 out of 5
Car Details
Model
Dynamic
Year
2017
Avg annual mileage
5,000 – 9,999
Owned
Less than a year
Bought Car
Used
Typical MPG
75
Tell us what you think about your car?
I am very pleased with this car, I have had it from new and love it. It is a pleasure to drive, I love the quietness of the electric mode. Around town it will switch between electric and petrol seamlessly, you really can't tell. The handling is responsive (especially in sport mode) but the engine is very noisy when accelerating hard, until it reaches the desired speed then it goes quite again. The recharging of the batteries is automatic and doesn't require any thought whatsoever. The dashboard display is informative, soundsystem impressive but I haven't found any mute button for the radio etc other than to turn it off, it could do with a mute button on the steering wheel. I also find the cruise control / speed limiter extremely confusing, I have tried and tried to work it out but still fail miserably and end up giving up. Would I buy the same car again - in a heartbeat!
Would you recommend the car to a friend?
Yes
4 out of 5
Car Details
Model
1.8 Dynamique Hybrid
Year
2017
Avg annual mileage
5,000 – 9,999
Owned
1 - 2 years
Bought Car
Used
Typical MPG
50
Tell us what you think about your car?
Looks good, 1.8 hybrid has good acceleration. It has a nice interior, with heated front seats that are very good in the winter, the sat nav works well but doesn't always take you on the quickest route. I do enjoy driving this car but feel improvements are required: the automatic gearbox is noisy and slow when accelerating hard and fuel consumption is very disappointing considering this is a hybrid.
Bad points:- Too many recalls, and it came to me on the day of collection with a cracked windscreen. I was told that this was a fault that had occured. The Fuel tank had to be replaced due to being too thin – apparently they have been cracking and it was blamed on the glue used when it was made. The electronic parking brake had to have a plastic saddle over a gap because items had been falling into the gap.
Toyota never seem to have the parts for the recalls on the shelf, you seem to have to wait at least 3 weeks. You get a recall letter but TOYOTA never follow this up by contacting you to arrange inspection of recalled parts. In my eyes, my top of the range hybrid was over-priced by about £3000.
Would you recommend the car to a friend?
Yes
1 out of 5
Car Details
Model
1.7 hybrid
Year
2019
Avg annual mileage
10,000 – 14,999
Owned
Less than a year
Bought Car
New
Typical MPG
45
Tell us what you think about your car?
Fuel consumption poor.
Even when EV mode the miles to refuel continue to drop.
My 50 mile commute each way up the A38, will often show 54+mpg, but in reality it's about 44.
Absolute dross!
Would you recommend the car to a friend?
No
3 out of 5
Car Details
Model
1.8 Hybrid 5 dr
Year
2017
Avg annual mileage
5,000 – 9,999
Owned
1 - 2 years
Bought Car
Used
Typical MPG
60
Tell us what you think about your car?
Had three faults up to now including windscreen crack replaced under warranty, electrical harness safety check and failure to start mid journey. The latter needed a tow truck return to the Preston based garage who could not find out why the battery had discharged itself whilst in a supermarket for 15 minutes. I have now bought a boost starter to alleviate further being stranded. The car is great to drive and fuel consumption reasonable but is no good as a sport car as minimal acceleration and get up and go even with the 1.8 litre power unit. Great as a 4 door family car and not in any particular rush. It was the looks that sold it for me but could have spent the £28k on a more sportier vehicle in hindsight. Just as well I have a reasonable sized motorcycle to get around on. I find the warning bleeps annoying and have a tendency to switch them off but at least there isn't an annoying stop / start irritation. Would not recommend the car to anyone as there are better vehicles out there in Hybrid configuration
Would you recommend the car to a friend?
No
4 out of 5
Car Details
Model
1.8 hybrid Icon
Year
2018
Avg annual mileage
5,000 – 9,999
Owned
Less than a year
Bought Car
New
Typical MPG
60
Tell us what you think about your car?
Never mind the excellent handling, capacious interior and superior comfort - this car is saving me a fortune on petrol. It did a 260 mile round trip up the A303 to Basingstoke and back on less than half a tank, at a cost of £30, as opposed to £45 in my Mercedes A-180. Locally I get 40-60 mpg!
It's possibly more comfortable than the A-180 and pretty much as nice to drive - I understand its suspension was designed by a sports enthusiast. The Dunlop Primacy's are bouncier than the Mercedes' Pirellis but it copes with uneven surfaces OK and is happy taking bends at speed (important for fuel economy). It would be a good car for barging around in, but I don't drive like that these days. I get a nice 'greener than thou' feeling as I creep around silently in electric mode.
The LDA is a nuisance - I could manage without the jiggles from the steering wheel when I have a legitimate reason for deviating over a white line. They make your hands feel tired and make life difficult when overtaking lorries in the wet, dealing with water patches, etc. Fortunately it can be disabled.
I only got the basic version but the trim level is impressive - the more expensive versions have 18" diamond cut alloys, sat nav and leather seats - but you can add the last two later if you must, and all versions have auto wipers, auto handbrake, leather steering wheel, reversing camera etc, etc, etc and what I really like are the sticky-out diamond shaped buttons for adjusting cabin temperature, fan speed etc - much, much easier to use than the A-180's.
Toyota designers very nearly came up with a great body shape - reminds me of swirling Samurai sashes - but why didn't they make it actively aerodynamic like the A-180? The blunt nose doesn't look that aerodynamic and collects flies on long trips.
Although it's not an off-roader, the road clearance is nice. I never dared take the A-180 to country shows, but now I can park in fields with confidence!
One last point about the body. It has lots of plastic bits and seals, designed to keep water out when driving in a rainstorm - good. Unfortunately, if you have to, say, load shopping into the car during a rainstorm, water gets onto the door and tailgate surrounds, pillars and sills - and for some reason the top of the tailgate itself - and then it can't get out again, so you're driving around in a sauna with a steamed-up rear window. Sure you can activate the AC, demist etc but it would be better if the water wasn't trapped in the first place. To be fair I had the tailgate open for about 8 minutes in a thunderstorm, but still . . . I solved the problem by taking a towel to it the following day when the rain stopped, but I'd rather not have had to.
At the moment it's probably my best ever car - I'll update this review in a year's time.
Would you recommend the car to a friend?
Yes
