2023 Toyota C-HR GR-Sport
2023 Toyota C-HR GR-Sport – GR stands for Gazoo Racing, Toyota’s performance division that won Le Mans and WRC – only finishing 1-2 in the Monte Carlo round of the World Rally Championship.
Gazoo has demonstrated its magic with the Japanese-only Toyota Supra and Yaris GR using a 268 hp three-cylinder turbo engine. The car won’t come here, but Toyota Motor North America officials say there will be an equivalent to the U.S.
2023 Toyota C-HR GR-Sport
The C-HR GR Sport has just been sold in Europe, starting at about $37,000.
The C-HR GR Sport has a European 1.8-liter and 2.0-liter hybrid powertrain, the same as the regular C-HR.
C-HR GR-Sport Exterior
The exterior has a black coating on the grille and a few other front end bits, a larger front spoiler, and black door trim. The car uses 19-inch two-color rims and slightly stiffer suspension (10 percent front, 15 percent rear).
Toyota C-HR GR Competitors
As well as the GR Corolla that will compete with the Ford Focus ST and Hyundai i30N, the CR C-HR will face off against the Ford Puma ST, VW T-Roc R, and others.
As consumers continue to turn to crossovers and SUVs, some are looking for sportier models and trims. There’s nothing wrong with Toyota adapting to its ever-changing consumer base.
Toyota says it is serious about performance because it turns itself into a more attractive brand for younger buyers.
That doesn’t mean we’re going to see a huge number of new high-powered sports cars from automakers. However, it should add strength to the Toyota brand that has long played it safe.
Toyota C-HR GR Release Date
Toyota Gazoo Racing will soon build a performance version of the C-HR compact crossover, called the GR C-HR.
The tuned SUV is expected to arrive before 2023. However, it remains unclear whether the project will be incorporated into the current car life cycle or be part of the second generation, scheduled for late 2021.
Toyota’s decision to build a high-performance crossover will undoubtedly anger purists. But, such a model would give Toyota Gazoo Racing an important foothold in the increasingly solid-performance SUV market.
Volkswagen recently launched the T-Roc R 296bhp; Hyundai’s N division is preparing a tuned Kona crossover, and Ford is preparing an ST version of the new Puma.
2023 Toyota C-HR GR-Sport Interior
The cabin has a choice of Alcantara-trimmed leather upholstery or all upholstery fabrics, both with GR-inspired Red and Grey stitching themes.
There is also a broad leather steering wheel circumference, red stitch accents on the wheel rim, a gear lever, and a unique blister plate model.
As we have previously reported, we hope this sporty GR line is available here in addition to supra.
2023 Toyota C-HR GR Engine
Like the upcoming GR Corolla, the GR C-HR will use a de-tuned version of the turbocharged 1.6-liter three-cylinder petrol engine mounted on the new GR Yaris.
In developing the engine for the GR Yaris, Gazoo engineers have been paying attention to installing it elsewhere – not least because the company wants to cover the intensive costs involved.
Most importantly, a senior Gazoo Racing executive told Auto Express that the unit “can be used in other applications” and that the unit “can be offered in more than one tone state.”
He also admitted that this was not a “machine to be built” for the GR Yaris to exist – a hint that it would indeed have wider applications.
The GR C-HR crossover will continue to be based on Toyota’s TNGA foundation, which should be a good basis for SUV performance – albeit with some improvements.
The platform features multi-link suspension and is likely to be powered by new dampers, improved brakes, and lighter alloys.
2021 Toyota C-HR
The 2021 Toyota C-HR is an SUV designed to deliver higher fuel savings than satisfactory speed or widened handling.
The four-cylinder engine is underpowered and slow to increase speed, but the 37-mpg C-HR results in our highway fuel-economy testing are the result of your patience.
The C-HR cab is well equipped and features a funky exterior style inside to avoid the usual feel. In addition, the three available trim levels come with touch screen infotainment and a full range of driver assistance features as standard.
Still, other small SUVs in this class offer more practicality, all-wheel drive available, and more satisfying driving dynamics. This one is to save fuel and look cool while doing it.
What’s New for 2021?
Toyota’s smallest SUV receives an increase in its safety credibility for 2021 with an updated set of driver assistance features.
Standard throughout the range is Toyota Safety Sense 2.0’s active safety system, which includes automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane guard assistance with roadside detection, traffic sign recognition, automatic high beam headlights, and adaptive track-trace assist — keeping it centered on the track.
In addition, a new Nightshade Edition display package is available on mid-range XLE models that cover most of the C-HR exterior trim and add an 18-inch black wheel.
2021 Toyota C-HR Engine
The four-cylinder C-HR can use a turbocharger or supercharger — or even a large can of Red Bull — because it cannot accelerate this crossover with near enthusiasm. In our tests, the C-HR was only able to go 11.0 seconds from zero to 60 mph.
And was significantly slower than most of its competitors. However, power shortages are well-disguised when driving normally around the city, thanks to a responsive throttle that gets you excited off the track.
But put your right foot deep inside the accelerator pedal and turn the engine to its peak and stay there, continuing while waiting for the continuous variable automatic transmission (CVT) to adjust its ratio in a futile attempt to deliver fast forward motion.
On the mound, the C-HR provides a comfortable ride but does not stand out in this segment.
The suspension quickly rebounds after major road imperfections but crashes into patched or damaged pavements at high speed, and you will be treated to a frenzy of noise; hard bumps send echoes throughout the cabin.
On the other hand, the C-HR’s steering feels accurate, and the front wheel responds instantly to commands. Handling is agile, body roll is well controlled, and C-HR feels good from behind the wheel.
Fuel Economy
Acceleration is not the primary focus of C-HR; Fuel efficiency is what makes this crossover shine. While the EPA’s estimate of a city of 27 mpg and a 31 mpg highway has a neck and neck C-HR with most rivals, it beats all but Nissan kicks (two mini-utes bound for the same result) on our real-world highway fuel-saving testing: the XLE model we tested managed to pass its EPA rating and produced a phenomenal 37 mpg over 200 miles. For more information on C-HR fuel savings, visit the EPA website.
2021 Toyota C-HR Interior
Toyota’s distinctive quality is abundant in the C-HR cabin. Except for a pair of cheap plastic panels on either side of the center console, the materials throughout the interior seem well-chosen and durable.
The faux leather dashboard with simulated stitching looks luxurious, while the diamond-patterned plastic on the door and similarly patterned headliner accents add a bit of fun to the alloy.
In low-light situations, the trim used on the dashboard of our XLE test car looks like a standard edition black piano, but in direct sunlight, the metallic coating shines—a pleasant surprise.
Overall, the cabin has a very young appeal. In terms of feature availability, the C-HR is by no time up-to-date.
Dual-zone automatic climate control is the only basic luxury here, so those who want fun things like electric chair adjustments or sunroofs will be left behind.
Infotainment and Connectivity
The 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system stands tall on top of the sculpted C-HR dashboard. Even the basic models come standard with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, Bluetooth phone, and music connectivity.
It’s a basic system and avoids visual beauty for simple menus that are easy to use on the go—even those with minimal technological experience should feel comfortable using them.
Safety Features
The Toyota C-HR earned five stars from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and worked well in highway safety crash tests from insurance agencies; he missed the IIHS Top Safety Pick award last year due to his poor headlight performance in testing. Driver assistance features are standard across the range. Key security features include:
- Standard automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection;
- Standard lane departure warning with lane maintenance assistance;
- Standard adaptive roaming control with the help of path tracking.
2021 Toyota CHR Price Starting at $22,770.
