Very few drivers lamented Toyota’s decision to cancel the C-HR from the US market. Instead of the subcompact C-HR, we have the Corolla Cross.
The next version of the C-HR could be a vehicle we wish we had, but Toyota has already announced it will not come to the US. This is most likely due to the poor sales figures of the first generation of this tiny crossover SUV. While Toyota could be blamed for the low sales by offering an SUV that isn’t exciting, fun, spacious, or quick, the new model seems much more desirable than the original version.
Is it the market or the SUV?
The subcompact crossover SUV market has been growing in popularity, but the first C-HR might have simply missed its window of possibility. The Honda HR-V and Hyundai Kona were both much more popular than the small Toyota. Even the current Corolla Cross is already much more popular than the first C-HR. Although the trouble isn’t the market in the United States but the vehicle itself, Toyota isn’t making the same mistake twice. That’s too bad because the new C-HR looks more desirable than the original, making it a vehicle we could wish was driving on our roads.
Is the C-HR a Prius in SUV form?
It’s pretty easy to understand that the new Corolla Cross shares a platform with its namesake. That said, it wasn’t clear what car the original C-HR shared a platform with. If you think back, you might remember this SUV was originally supposed to wear the Scion badge but arrived as a Toyota when Scion was canceled. The second generation of the Toyota C-HR appears to share some design elements with the new Toyota Prius. Still, this new crossover isn’t quite as attractive as the Pirus, but it does offer a two-tone paint option and sharp lines to make it more appealing than the first model.
The cabin brings Toyota packaging you’ll recognize
The cabin area of this new Toyota subcompact SUV includes a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster, either an 8.0-inch or 12.3-inch horizontal infotainment screen, and the connectivity of wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Drivers will also find a full suite of driver-assistance and safety features, ambient lighting with lots of colors to choose from, and the comfort expected in a Toyota. If you want to drive this SUV, you’ll have to go to a foreign market where it’s offered.
The Prius comparison continues under the hood
Much like the larger Toyota Venza, the new C-HR only comes with a hybrid powertrain. This brings more credence to the comparison with the Prius hybrid. The base powertrain gives you a familiar 1.8-liter hybrid powertrain with an optional 2.0-liter hybrid model as the more impressive system. This larger engine also offers the benefits of AWD for great drive and power on all four wheels. Above the two regular hybrid models, you’ll find a 2.0-liter PHEV model that gives you some all-electric driving range.
The base powertrain brings 140 horsepower, to be much more useful and impressive than the older versions of this system that powered the Prius. The 2.0-liter regular hybrid setup brings your power to 198 horsepower, while the PHEV model hits 223 horsepower for your drive. This plug-in model also delivers 41 miles of all-electric driving range.
Should we lament the loss of the C-HR?
Is it really a problem that the Toyota C-HR isn’t returning to America? No, it’s not. Toyota gives us something else that has already proven to be a popular choice in the subcompact crossover market. Although the new C-HR looks more interesting and exciting than the Corolla Cross, we didn’t embrace the C-HR in a way that would warrant a second generation for this small SUV.
The Corolla Cross just fits
In America, we like our vehicles bigger, which is tough to do in the subcompact crossover SUV class. That said, the Toyota Corolla Cross has fit between the C-HR and RAV4 since it arrived, which gives you an idea that the Corolla Cross is a little bigger than the now-deleted C-HR. This Corolla crossover is powered by a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine that sends 169 horsepower to the front wheels. This SUV brings up to 32 mpg combined, making it relatively efficient.
The Toyota Corolla Cross is offered in three trims which are L, LE, and XLE, making it one of the simplest and most straightforward vehicles to drive. Will the canceled Toyota C-HR sadden you? Most likely, you won’t even miss it.
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