Used Toyota C-HR for sale: everything you need to know

It takes a lot to stand out in a market now dominated by small crossovers and SUVs, but just as the original Nissan Juke used dramatic styling to compete, so too did the Toyota C-HR when it launched in 2016.

Just like the Juke, most of us have now got used to the Toyota C-HR’s looks - and it helps that its popularity means you now see them everywhere. The Toyota C-HR has just been replaced by an all-new and even more dramatic design, but the outgoing car is a generously equipped, good to drive crossover that doesn’t use much fuel - making it an excellent family car.

Other cars that mix style and ability include the Peugeot 3008 and the latest Kia Niro, while the slightly more compact Ford Puma is also worth a look for its hybrid powertrains and keen handling. As a used buy though, Toyota’s reputation for reliability makes the C-HR an appealing prospect.

Should you buy a Toyota C-HR?

The Toyota C-HR debuted in 2016, looking not unlike a concept Toyota had released a couple of years earlier. What’s impressive is that much of the mad-looking concept’s styling made it to production unscathed - and for all the C-HR’s other qualities, it’s the styling that you’ll notice first, and your reaction to it will either persuade you to investigate further, or turn you off entirely.

Stick with it, and you’ll discover a talented family crossover that benefits from Toyota’s excellent reliability record, the brand’s high standards of build quality, and its experience of hybrid powertrains - which means the C-HR shouldn’t just be frugal, but last you well into the future with minimal issues.

If you plan on keeping a car for a while, it’s good to know that the Toyota C-HR drives well too. More recently the model was offered only as a hybrid, with 1.8-litre and 2.0-litre variants that are similarly frugal but offered differing levels of performance. A 1.2-litre turbocharged petrol was part of the range at launch, with either a six-speed manual or an automatic transmission and the option of all-wheel drive, but the engine was later dropped in favour of the more frugal and popular hybrids.

They’re all good to drive. Larger wheels can add an edge to the ride quality on poor surfaces, but with otherwise plenty of suspension travel it can shrug off pot holes, without leaning excessively in corners. The steering is good to, with good weighting and direct responses, though some rivals are still more fun.

If you’re not used to hybrid drivetrains, then the tendency for the revs to rise and stay there under hard acceleration may be disconcerting at first, but less lead-footed drivers will appreciate just how smooth and quiet the two hybrid units are almost all the time - particularly when the engine switches off for low-speed electric driving. Only some wind and tyre noise spoils the refinement at higher speeds.

Naturally, it’s frugal too, with the official figures not too difficult to hit. This certainly gives the Toyota C-HR a running cost advantage against several of its rivals. A Peugeot 3008 is arguably more stylish and has a novel interior and the latest Kia Niro feels more advanced, while offering similar hybrid options, while a Skoda Karoq is more practical and straightforward. But long term, you’d bet on the Toyota being easiest to run - and for some owners, that styling will always be a draw.

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What’s the best used Toyota C-HR model to buy?

There’s a lot to be said for the earlier 1.2-litre turbo models, not least the added appeal for some drivers of a manual gearbox, or the option of all-wheel drive - something you don’t get on the hybrids. They aren’t, however, as frugal as the hybrids, so while they’re cost-effective on the used market, they may cost more to run during ownership.

The hybrids make a lot of sense, and while the extra performance of the 2-litre model is welcome, as a car to use every day, the 1.8 is still peppy enough and slightly more frugal. As for trim levels, the old Dynamic spec was well-equipped and had a contrasting black roof that really highlighted the Toyota C-HR’s lines, while among more recent models, the basic Icon makes a lot of sense - you miss out on heated seats, but Android and Apple compatibility means the lack of built-in navigation from the higher-spec Design model isn’t that big a deal.

Used Toyota C-HR fuel economy and performance

• Toyota C-HR 1.2 Turbo: Offered at launch but later dropped from the range, the 1.2-litre turbo petrol made 115PS, and was offered in either 6-speed manual and front-wheel drive form, or with an automatic in either front- or all-wheel drive. The quickest, the manual, covered 0-62mph in 10.9 seconds and promised combined economy of up to 47.9mpg.
• Toyota C-HR 1.8 Hybrid: The smaller of the two hybrid engines uses a 1.8-litre four-cylinder petrol and Toyota’s hybrid drive system, to develop a 122PS combined output through a continuously variable transmission to the front wheels. 0-62mph takes 11.0 seconds, and combined economy is up to 57.7mpg depending on the trim level.
• Toyota C-HR 2.0 Hybrid: The 2.0 Hybrid operates in much the same way as the 1.8, but its larger engine and more powerful electric motor elevate power to 184PS. This cuts the 0-62mph time down to 8.2 seconds, while economy drops to 54.3mpg, again depending on trim.

What used Toyota C-HR trim levels are available?

Toyota offered a selection of different trim levels on the C-HR, with useful levels of standard equipment right from the basic Icon model, and a sporty variant in the form of the GR Sport - though in terms of performance, the GR Sport got the same two engine options as the rest of the range (while the Icon just gets the smaller 1.8-litre hybrid unit).

• The Toyota C-HR Icon packed the kind of kit we’ve come to expect from Toyota so the basic specification of the C-HR was far from mean, with 17-inch alloy wheels, a reversing camera, dual-zone air conditioning, LED headlights, and a multimedia system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
• The Toyota C-HR Design upgraded to 18-inch alloy wheels, privacy glass, heated front seats, and built-in navigation for the 8-inch touchscreen.
• The Toyota C-HR Excel got a different 18-inch alloy wheel design, adaptive LED headlights, LED fog lights, and LED tail lights, a heated steering wheel, leather trim, and power adjustment for the driver’s seat.
• The Toyota C-HR GR Sport took cues from Toyota’s high-performance GR models, so it got 19-inch alloy wheels, sports seats, a two-tone roof, and a silver interior trim theme. GR Sport models also got firmer suspension and re-tuned steering for a more dynamic feel.

Used Toyota C-HR dimensions and boot size

The Toyota C-HR’s dimensions are:

• Length: 4385-4395mm
• Width: 1795mm (without mirrors)
• Height: 1555mm
• Ground clearance: 205-251mm

The Toyota C-HR’s boot size is:

• 377 litres (443 litres to roof)
• 924 litres with the rear seats folded (1164 litres to roof)

Used Toyota C-HR road tax

Hybrid powertrains and modest list prices mean all variants of the Toyota C-HR fit into just a single VED or ‘road tax’ band. With the first generation now replaced by a new model, the relevant figure here is the £170 per year at current rates that you’ll pay for an alternative-fuel vehicle.

How much is it to insure a Toyota C-HR?

The Toyota C-HR sits in similar insurance groups to many of its rivals, and shouldn’t cost a great deal to cover. Cars with the 1.8-litre hybrid powertrain can be found in groups 15-16 depending on trim level, while the 2.0-litre cars have a small increase up to groups 21 and 22, again depending on trim level.

Read our full Toyota C-HR review