2024 Toyota C-HR GR Sport review

Is this GR-badged crossover not giving us the full picture?

Imagine Keir Starmer in a clown suit and you’ll have some idea of what’s going on here. And we’re going to have to get used to it, because cars that look mad to conceal the fact that they are as sensible as brushing your teeth twice a day is the direction in which we are all headed.

Toyota’s claim that this new C-HR crossover SUV looks like a concept car for the road is not overstated. Everywhere I went people asked what it was, and whether it drove as it looked. Well, it is what Toyota calls a “self-charging hybrid” which is what everyone else calls a “hybrid”, namely one you can’t plug in, though one of those is available in the range.

This one comes in 1.8-litre and 2-litre capacities – the latter tested here – and delivers 193bhp through the front wheels via a continuously variable transmission. To drive it is both good and bad. The chassis, for which my hopes had not been high, is quite impressive. The ride is deft and does not deteriorate with a heavy load on board. Moreover there’s grip aplenty, decent precision and some adjustability though it’s hard to see many owners trying to steer theirs on the throttle. But the engine is characterless and the CVT gearbox as dull as I am sure it is efficient. Push it and performance will come, but I can’t imagine why you would.

A reasonable example among rival jack-of-all-trades contenders but if you’re looking for something to fulfil the promise of its appearance, your search must continue. AF

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Toyota C-HR GR Sport

Price £40,645
Engine 2 litres, four cylinders, petrol, hybrid
Power 192bhp
Torque 206lb ft
Weight 1520kg
Power to weight 126bhp per tonne
Transmission Continuously variable, front-wheel drive l 0-60mph 8.1sec
Top speed 168mph
Economy 57.7mpg  l CO2 110g/km
Verdict More big top than top dog.