A facelifted C-HR range brings with it Apple CarPlay and the addition of hybrid electric power.
TOYOTA AUSTRALIA CONTINUES to march on with its hybrid expansion plans in Australia, introducing the new C-HR hybrid as the entire C-HR range receives a refresh.
The facelifted C-HR for 2020 gains a facelift upfront with new LED headlights and taillights along with new 17- and 18-inch alloy wheel designs. There are also some additions inside the cabin, namely Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity on a new, larger 8.0-inch infotainment system.
The familiar funky coupe-like small SUV remains a two-grade lineup, consisting of the C-HR and top-spec C-HR Koba with front- and all-wheel drive options mated to an automatic CVT transmission. All models see a minor price rise, the base model C-HR now starting at $29,540 plus on-road costs.
However, the big inclusion for 2020 is the hybrid drivetrain made available in the top-spec Koba. Accounting for almost 50 per cent of all C-HR sales, the front-wheel drive Koba is now available with the carryover 1.2-litre turbo petrol engine or the new 90kW 1.8-litre petrol-electric hybrid, which asks a $2500 premium for the frugal technology.
Toyota celebrates the launch of the hybrid C-HR as its closes in on topping 25,000 hybrid sales this year, bolstered by a strong lineup of hybrid models: the new Rav4, the popular Camry and Corolla, and its veteran Prius that was the first hybrid vehicle in Australia when it launched October 2001.
“We are expanding the C-HR range with Toyota’s hybrid-electric technology because it is an increasingly popular choice among consumers due to its strong performance, great fuel economy and proven reliability,” said Toyota Australia VP of sales and marketing, Sean Hanley.
“It took almost 18 years – until April this year – for Toyota to sell a total of 100,000 hybrid-electric vehicles in Australia.
“Yet, this year alone, we will sell around 25,000 hybrid-electric vehicles, or close to 15 per cent of our total sales.
“Hybrid demand is running at close to 40 per cent for Corolla and RAV4, and above 50 per cent for Camry. We anticipate similar success for the new C-HR hybrid.”
2020 Toyota C-HR pricing (plus on-road costs):
C-HR 2WD petrol CVT – $29,540
C-HR AWD petrol CVT – $31,540
C-HR Koba 2WD petrol CVT – $33,940
C-HR Koba AWD petrol CVT – $35,940
C-HR Koba 2WD hybrid CVT – $36,440
2020 Toyota C-HR options:
Premium paint (all grades) – $550
Two-tone paint (Koba) – $450
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