For the new model year, the crossover undercuts 2018MY by about $1,500.

Toyota wants to bring its C-HR “coupe high-rider” closer to its segment rivals by introducing a new grade strategy for 2019. During the next approximately 12 months, the vehicle will be offered in just three trim levels – LE, XLE, and Limited, ditching the XLE Premium from 2018.

With the new LE base model, the price of the C-HR now starts at $20,995 MSRP without the delivery, processing, and handling (DPH) fee of $1,095 included. This makes the crossover about $1,500 cheaper than the 2018 C-HR XLE, which was the entry-level version for the previous model year.

The C-HR LE is equipped as standard with 17-inch steel wheels with hubcaps, LED DRLs with halogen headlamps, and a polyurethane steering wheel, as well as an eight-inch display with Apple CarPlay connectivity. If you pay $2,035 extra (without DPH) for the XLE trim, you’ll get systems such as Blind Spot Monitor and Rear Cross Traffic Alert, as well as features like auto-folding side mirrors with puddle lamps, piano black upper console and switch base, keyless engine start, and more.

Upgrading to the Limited range-topper brings goodies such as fog lamps, more panels covered in piano lack in the cabin, automatic headlights and wipers, heated front seats, chrome window trim, and leather-trimmed or leather-trimmed/fabric seats. The 2019 C-HR Limited will set you back at least $26,050 without destination charge included.

For the new model year, the C-HR carries over with its 2.0-liter naturally aspirated engine under the hood, good for 144 horsepower (107 kilowatts) and 139 pound-feet (188 Newton-meters) of torque. Mated to a CVT, it sends power exclusively to the front wheels and returns an average EPA-estimated fuel consumption of 29 miles per gallon in the combined cycle.

2019 C-HR models are covered by Toyota’s 36-month/36,000-mile new-vehicle warranty for all components with an additional 60-month warranty of the powertrain for up to 60,000 miles.

There’s no stopping to Gazoo Racing’s portfolio expansion as after unveiling a Copen GR Sport earlier this week, Toyota’s in-house performance division is now introducing a hotter C-HR. It’s based on the recently updated version of the funky crossover, but you’ll have to move to Japan to get the GR goodies since these will be offered only on the JDM-spec variant.

It’s not all about cosmetic tweaks as the C-HR GR Sport has actually received a few mechanical revisions courtesy of a new center brace developed to boost body rigidity. Not only that, but Gazoo Racing’s engineers have also fiddled with the suspension by making changes to the coil springs, shock absorbers and stabilizers, along with modifying the steering for a more direct response.

Those large 19-inch alloy wheels wrapped in 225/45 R19 are exclusive to the GR Sport version, and so is the sporty body kit with a new front bumper housing a giant lower grille with a thick horizontal bar. The fog light bezel has a different look and sits lower on the bumper compared to the layout of the regular C-HR. A quad exhaust system and a bunch of emblems at the front, side, and back complete the look.

Stepping inside the cabin, the Toyota C-HR GR Sport has been equipped with a slightly smaller steering wheel covered in leather with silver stitching and carrying the “GR” branding. Those body-hugging front seats can only be had on this version, which also stands out courtesy of aluminum pedals, a metallic dark silver trim, and a GR-branded start/stop button.

Available exclusively with a front-wheel-drive layout, the GR Sport kicks off at ¥2,732,000 (about $25,100) in the S-T trim with the six-speed manual transmission and a turbocharged 1.2-liter gasoline engine. Toyota will also sell the spicier C-HR with the hybridized 1.8-liter powertrain in S guise from ¥3,095,000 ($28,500).

In 2017, the first calendar year for the C-HR in the United States, the subcompact crossover sold 25,755 units in this part of the world. Its best year was 2018 with 49,642 units, and that’s a big problem for Toyota.
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So big, the Japanese automaker decided to discontinue this nameplate from the U.S. lineup after the 2022 model year. The largest of the big three Japanese automakers confirmed the inevitable to MotorTrend, adding that no replacement is due for 2023. Given that the Corolla Cross is more affordable and larger, this cessation does not come as a surprise.

Priced at $24,280 excluding the $1,335 destination freight charge, the subcompact Compact High Rider is produced in Turkey for the U.S. and Canadian markets. Prospective customers are presented with three grades: the XLE, the $25,045 Nightshade Edition, and the $27,300 Limited. All three are estimated to return 27 miles per gallon in the city and 31 miles per gallon on the highway (that’s 8.7 and 7.6 liters per 100 kilometers).

The XLE isn’t as spartan as one may think. 18-inch alloys mounted with 225/50 rubber boots open the list of standard equipment, followed by auto-folding power and heated mirrors with integrated turn signals, blind sport warning, puddle lights, Smart Key, Push Button Start, dual-zone automatic climate control, rear cross-traffic alert, plus Toyota Safety Sense 2.5.

Some peeps may be put off by the small rear windows of the C-HR, but the real issue here concerns the oily bits. The 2.0-liter N/A engine cranks out merely 144 ponies and 139 pound-feet (188 Nm) of torque, and the North America-spec Toyota C-HR is front-wheel drive only.

The better-styled Corolla Cross also comes in three grades (L, LE, and XLE), but its 2.0-liter engine pumps out 169 horsepower and 151 pound-feet (205 Nm) on full song. Better still, all-wheel drive is available across the board. Priced at $23,060 excluding destination, the Corolla Cross also happens to be more frugal at 31 and 33 mpg (7.6 and 7.1 l/100 km).

Toyota C-HR was the carmaker's first subcompact crossover launched in Europe after it pioneered the compact SUV segment with the RAV4. The second generation builds on the success of the C-HR with three hybrid and plug-in hybrid propulsion systems and new intelligent features.

The C-HR was the first Toyota model in a long time that aimed to make people's hearts beat faster. Often criticized for its bland design, the Japanese carmaker went in the opposite direction with the C-HR. For some Toyota customers, myself included, this was a little too much, but that didn't mean that the crossover wasn't successful. The styling was the main reason for purchase for more than half of customers, and the C-HR became Toyota's best-performing model for conquest sales.

The Japanese carmaker wants this fortunate chain of events to continue, and the second-generation model kept the con-conformist attitude while pushing the boundaries with a more mature design. The new Toyota C-HR looks almost exactly like the Prologue concept unveiled last December, retaining the coupe-like silhouette of its predecessor. Toyota claims that C-HR's striking design is also aerodynamically efficient, with airflow optimizations throughout.

The interior marks an improvement, with finer materials and a modern cockpit. All control elements are concentrated in the driver's zone, with a new 12.3-inch fully digital instrument panel. This can be programmed to display various information, with three pre-set layouts that can be personalized using the switches on the steering wheel.

You can order the new C-HR with the Toyota Smart Connect multimedia package, featuring an 8-inch or 12.3-inch touchscreen, depending on the trim. The system offers wireless smartphone connection using Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and can offer EV range information and local charging locations for the plug-in hybrid (PHEV) variants.

Toyota offers three electrified powertrains, with 1.8-liter and 2.0-liter hybrid versions and a 2.0-liter plug-in hybrid. The latter will also be available with the intelligent all-wheel drive (AWD-i) option. All powertrains are part of Toyota's fifth-generation hybrid technology, with a new transaxle and power control unit (PCU) and a more powerful high-voltage battery.

The plug-in hybrid variant features a one-pedal driving feature and automatic drive mode selection to optimize energy efficiency. The new geofencing feature allows the new Toyota C-HR to automatically switch to EV operation when entering a low-emission zone. The car can optimize battery usage across the entire trip when using the navigation system, and sufficient battery charge is available.

All versions of the 2024 Toyota C-HR come with the latest Toyota Safety Sense driver-assistance technology. Toyota promises to offer improvements and new features via future over-the-air software updates. The standard package features Acceleration Suppression to reduce the risk of collision with a vehicle ahead and Proactive Driving Assist (PDA), providing smooth deceleration when the driver comes off the throttle when approaching a slower vehicle ahead.

A more advanced package includes features such as Lane Change Assist with Front Cross Traffic Alert, a Driver Monitoring Camera, and an Automatic High-Beam System with camera control to adjust the light distribution. The new Toyota C-HR can also automatically follow the vehicle ahead in a stop-start traffic jam where local regulations permit. The reservations for the new model are open, with two special Premiere Editions available to order: GR Sport Premiere Edition and High Premiere Edition.