New 2021 Toyota C-HR GR Sport on sale now from £31,395

Toyota has launched the new C-HR GR Sport in the UK - a sportier take on the standard crossover, intended to rival other warmed up trim SUVs like the  SEAT Ateca FR Sport and Ford Kuga ST-Line.

Prices for the new Toyota C-HR GR Sport start from £31,395 for the entry-level 1.8-litre variant. The more powerful 2.0-litre model bumps this figure up to £33,015.

The restyled C-HR has been designed by Toyota’s in-house tuning company, Gazoo. It features a more aggressive body kit, with a deeper front splitter, a lower diffuser and some new black door mouldings. It also rides on newly designed 19-inch alloy wheels, while acquiring new dark-tinted LED headlights and a black spoiler for the tailgate.

There’s also some new black wheel arch cladding, a dark chrome radiator grille and a handful of GR Sport badges dotted around the car’s panels. The exterior makeover is rounded off with a choice of eight two-tone paint finishes – each of which come with a contrasting black roof.

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Inside, buyers get a sports steering wheel, GR Sport branded treadplates and a choice of either Alcantara or fabric seat upholstery – both of which feature red and grey stitching. Heated seats and rear privacy glass also come as standard, while a premium JBL stereo system can be specced as an optional extra.

Toyota has made a few chassis tweaks, too, including stiffer springs and dampers, thicker anti-roll bars and a revised steering system, all of which, the company says, will help to limit body roll and make the C-HR more engaging to drive.

Despite the sporty looks, though, the crossover’s engine line-up is procured from the standard car’s. The 1.8-litre unit petrol develops 120bhp, while the 2.0-litre version has 181bhp – and both engines will send drive to the front wheels via a CVT gearbox, returning claimed fuel economy figures in excess of 50mpg.

What do you make of the new Toyota C-HR GR Sport? Let us know in the comments section below…