The Toyota C-HR will go on-sale in Australia in late February (2017) but pricing is still being kept under wraps for the tiny-tot SUV.

THE TOYOTA C-HR will go on-sale in February with pricing set to be announced closer to the local launch. The tiny-tot C-HR which is built on the Toyota New Global Architecture-based platform (TNGA) was launched in Europe last week.

Practical Motoring’s UK correspondent Paul Horrell drove the new C-HR and said this: “Few crossovers manage to combine lively cornering behaviour with a pliant ride, but this one does. Noise from the suspension and tyres is decently suppressed too. So, the result is a car that’s reasonably handy to steer around urban junctions, and lopes along the highway in relaxing calm. It’s a well-judged combination”.

You can read Paul’s review of the C-HR here.

The C-HR marks a significant change for Toyota which has often been criticized for trundling out the same old dull machinery.

In a statement, Toyota’s executive director sales and marketing Tony Cramb, announcing the on-sale timing, said the C-HR is designed to stand out within the Toyota line-up and in its segment.

“C-HR takes a fresh approach with its extroverted design, powerful yet fuel-efficient turbocharged petrol engine and dynamics that reward driving enthusiasts,” Cramb said.

“It is stunning proof of the determination by Toyota to encourage greater stylistic freedom and engineering creativity in order to achieve eye-catching designs and enhanced driving pleasure,” he said.

Locally the C-HR will be available in two model grades although key active safety systems will be standard across the two model variants, including a pre-collision system with autonomous emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane departure alert with steering control, automatic high beam and a reversing camera.

Top-of-the range customers will be able to specify heated seats, a smart entry and start system, privacy glass, leather-accented upholstery and 18-inch alloy wheels.

Question: Given the C-HR lacks the interior versatility of the HR-V, can it really hope to win the tiny-tot SUV battle, or will the Toyota badge be enough?