Toyota Australia expands its popular hybrid powertrain offering to include the C-HR crossover.

TOYOTA HAS CONFIRMED it will offer a petrol-electric hybrid powertrain for the C-HR later this year.

Part of a facelift for 2020 that will see a tinker to LED head and taillights, revised alloy wheels and a new infotainment system inside, the hybrid option will be available on top-spec Koba front-wheel drive variants. Improving mobile phone connectivity over the current model on sale, the MY20 C-HR will also get Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity.

Toyota says the hybrid will arrive in December, along with the greater facelifted range. The petrol-electric engine is the same 1.8-litre four-cylinder found in the Toyota Corolla and Prius, producing a total output of 72kW of power and 142Nm of torque. Compared to the smaller 1.2-litre petrol turbo engine found in other model grades, the hybrid is the most frugal, recording a claimed 4.3L/100km on the government combined cycle; the 1.2L claims 6.4L.

“We now offer hybrid power in some of our most popular models including Camry, Corolla hatch, Prius and RAV4, and its addition to C-HR will further broaden its appeal,” said Toyota Australia VP of sales and marketing, Sean Hanley.

“Our customers are demanding an alternative powertrain that delivers strong performance, refinement and low fuel consumption, and hybrid answers that need.

“And clearly it’s something our customers appreciate with hybrid accounting for nearly 45 per cent of Camry sales, 40 per cent of Corolla hatch sales and nearly 40 per cent of new RAV4 sales over the past three months.”

Models will continue to be offered with a CVT transmission or six-speed manual (not available on the hybrid). Pricing for the new hybrid will be unveiled closer to launch, though we expect it will bring a circa-$2000 premium to the $33,290 plus on-road costs Koba FWD.