Toyota C-HR Hybrid (Parallel Imported)

Bought and have driven the C-HR Hybrid for around 2 weeks now. The C-HR is... Unique in the sense that it's really a COMPROMISE in many ways. And for some people, well, that may not be a bad thing. Here's why:

Let's say you're young, you don't want an "Uncle/auntie" Car so in terms of style, you're looking for something sporty. But to be really practical, you're not going to be able to take more than 1 friend to go to Thompson so you can't get the 2 door convertible. So you compromise: You accept that it's going to be a relatively bigger crossover/suv, but you also get a sleek sporty look.

Okay so you also say you want something that has good speed/power. The C-HR Hybrid? Well, it's FINE. It's average. You DO get to seamlessly merge on highways and overtake lanes without anxiety wondering if you're going to make it on time, but you ALSO have to deal with the fact that suddenly the whisper quiet hybrid engine has to work a bit (it's not untolerable) and suddenly there's some noise coming in.

Lastly a few notes that I noted are different from my experience and what others are saying about this car.

1) You CAN actually change the language of the dashboard to English, or at least the PI I got it from sold models that could.

2) Rainsensing wipers is available on some models of the C-HR or at least on the one I got.

3) Blindspot. Yeah it's not great that I do agree. It takes some getting used to (by waiting additional few seconds of checking repeatedly) but it's doable.

One of the most bold design for an SUV, accompanied by striking colors, it easily is a head turner and possibly a distraction on the road. If you dislike blending into the crowd, this is for you with its diamond theme cutting.

Great fuel economy and tons of safety features that otherwise only available in more higher end car brands.

Started out as one the nicest looking hybrid cars in Singapore and then the drivers started modding it into totally Rice cars. RICE = Race Inspired Cosmetic Enhancement.

With the huge 20" Rims, huge 6pot bbk, installing 10 extra DRL on the car itself. Yes! Easily 10 more from stock at the front & back & sides that blind other road users, ridiculous GT-wings, Weight Saving Carbon Fibre bonnets which does nothing because the car is not light in the first place. Quad Exhausts and more. Many went for tuning to get extra 4-7bhp for $800. Wow.

And at 122bhp on a 1.5tonne body, if those enhancements are not RICE, nothing else will be. 12secs to 100km/h

Driving for 1.8 S LED for 6 mths. Lots of features including Electronic Parking brake that makes me forget about existence of the handbrake.

Normal driving easily 20-24 km/L inclusive of using Sports Mode occasionally therefore, on avg i just need to pump about twice a mth will do... 38L able to cover 800km

Sound proofing better then expected and responsive throttle with smooth CVT.

1800cc with a 1440Kg body is well balanced and not underpowered.

Blind spot can be solved by having a blindspot mirror becos of the C-Pillar, highspeed cornering must be careful (maybe SUV higher CG?) and ugly rims for the S version that can be replace with aftermarket ones. 12v Plug is positioned in the worst place in the car.

Drive surprising well for a SUV. Best hybrid SUV with no competition.

Ride close to BMW X1

Though have got used to Benz E250 for over 7 years, but after riding this CHR for about a month now, the quietness of the cabin surprises positively.

The Toyota sensing, like lane departure warning, emergency braking was an added bonus. Toyota reliablilty is a major considersation ....

Handling is good, suspension smoothens the uneven Rd and humps. Steering wheel stiffer than my prev Honda. Happy w the FC. Blind spot not as bad as perceived. Styling not everybody's cup of tea. Interior doesn't go in tandem w the price tag, it's better! Need time to grasp the turning/parking. Silent hybrid engine.

Comes w suite if safety features. Get the G model, forget abt the S.

Just felt compelled to write this to potential c-hr buyers out there, look good and tempting but here are my thoughts. I been driving the 1.8 hybrid S spec for 1 week, coming from a 2010 polo that closes the door with a solid thump, the built quality of the c-hr is surprisingly quite good. Hybrid does it job of cutting in and out without much noise. Have to turn of radio and lower ac fan to lowest speed to hear the slight noise during the elec and petrol engine switching. I average 24.4 km/litre. Electic motor run so silent, pedestrian wont be hearing u coming, so do take note. CVT is not for everyone, if you are heavy footed the engine noise is quite high and drones on and on but due to CVT gear ratio is seamless. Skip S and G spec, get Icon only.