Toyota C-HR review - Reliability and safety

The bold looking C-HR looks all new on the surface, but delve a little deeper and you’ll find a tried and tested structure and mechanicals.

For instance, the C-HR is underpinned by the same platform as the recently launched fourth generation Prius. Light and strong, it not only helps sharpen the ride and handling, it provides a tough cage during a collision.

More importantly, the engines and gearboxes have all been lifted from other models in the Toyota line-up. The 1.8-litre petrol/electric hybrid unit is virtually identical to the set-up that debuted in the latest Prius, complete with its more efficient battery and clever combustion process that combines both Atkinson and Otto cycles. Despite the complexity of this set-up, it has proved to be extremely reliable.

In our 2020 Driver Power customer satisfaction survey, the C-HR achieved a credible 25th place out of 75 cars. Toyota itself improved on 2019's 10th place by finishing 6th on a list of 30 manufacturers, with Lexus sitting at the top of the table. 

The C-HR received a maximum five-star Euro NCAP safety rating in 2017, including an impressive 95% for adult occupants. Other scores were consistently good, including: 77% for child occupants, 76% for pedestrian safety, and 78% for safety assist technologies.

All versions of the C-HR benefit from Toyota’s Safety Sense set-up, which includes adaptive cruise control, autonomous emergency braking and pedestrian detection as part of its hi-tech suite of features. The Excel and Dynamic models are also available with rear cross traffic alert and blind spot monitoring as standard.

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Warranty

Like all Toyota models, the C-HR comes with the brand’s five-year and 100,000 mile warranty. This lengthy guarantee brings greater peace of mind than many mainstream rivals’ policies, but still falls short of Kia’s seven-year cover, or Hyundai’s unlimited mileage policy.

However, unlike earlier hybrid models, there’s no extended warranty for the hybrid drivetrain and batteries – early Prius models were covered for up to eight years. That said, for an extra outlay you can guarantee the petrol/electric underpinnings for up to 11 years on an unlimited mileage deal.

Other standard policy extensions include the three year paint warranty and 12-year anti perforation guarantee.

Servicing

If you’re a high mileage driver, then the C-HR’s relatively short service intervals of 10,000 miles are likely to be a little frustrating – many rivals will go twice as far between check-ups. However, Toyota Service Plans are available for customers to help spread the cost of scheduled maintenance. 

Every C-HR comes with a 15-year hybrid battery extended cover if you have a yearly Toyota Hybrid Electric Service.