Toyota is taking advantage of the launch of the second generation of C-HR to equip its compact SUV with a 223 hp plug-in hybrid version.

Ldriving force behind Toyota’s success on the European market since its launch in 2016, the C-HR has also largely contributed to rejuvenating the image of the Japanese giant on the Old Continent, thanks to a modern line with an assertive personality. Designed in Sophia Antipolis, in the south of France, and developed in Brussels, the second generation of the Japanese compact SUV plows the same furrow with an even more spectacular style, very close to the C-HR Prologue concept unveiled at the end of 2022.

66 km of electric range

Based on the same platform as the previous one, the second C-HR of the name logically benefits from the brand’s latest technologies. Thus, two hybrid versions 1.8 liter 140 hp and 2.0 liter 198 hp using the mechanics recently released by the Corolla are offered, the latter can also be available in 4-wheel drive thanks to a rear electric motor. But the real novelty consists of a 223 hp plug-in hybrid powertrain from the latest generation of Prius. Now topping the Japanese compact SUV range, this version has an electric range of 66 km thanks to a 13.6 kWh battery that can be recharged in just two hours thanks to a dual charger with a power of 6.6 kW.

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Reduced field of vision at the rear

Like the style of the body, that of the interior plays the card of dynamism. The driving position is excellent and the infotainment system is easier to use thanks to the large 12.3-inch central touch screen. On the other hand, the interface allowing access to the various driving aids via the buttons positioned on the spokes of the steering wheel appears more complicated to understand. Roominess is correct given the size of the C-HR, but the field of vision for the occupants of the rear seat remains limited despite a slightly more generous glass surface than on the previous generation.

Like an everyday electric

In action, the pre-production plug-in hybrid C-HR that we were able to test demonstrates that it can be driven like an electric car on a daily basis, its 163 hp permanent magnet motor offering more than sufficient performance in this context. Better, we forget the anxiety of breaking down at the wheel since the 152 hp 2-liter 4-cylinder wakes up automatically when the battery discharges beyond a predetermined threshold (beyond 60 km during our test) or the power demand exceeds that of the electric motor alone. The transition then occurs smoothly, to the point that it is difficult to perceive, and you have to accelerate hard so that the operation of the 4 cylinders is truly audible, without ever becoming disturbing. Pricing for the plug-in hybrid C-HR has not yet been announced by Toyota.