2019 Toyota C-HR XLE: Review, Redesign, and Release Date

Toyota Safety Sense-P was standard on every 2019 C-HR. The package included a pre-collision system with pedestrian detection, lane departure alert with steering assist, full-speed-range dynamic radar cruise control, and automatic high beams. The XLE and Limited grades added Blind Spot Monitor with Rear Cross Traffic Alert as standard. The C-HR earned a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, and the IIHS rated it Good in every crashworthiness category and Superior for front crash prevention, though its halogen projector headlights were rated Poor.

Fuel Economy

The 2019 C-HR was EPA-rated at 27 mpg city, 31 mpg highway, and 29 mpg combined. That placed it mid-pack among subcompact crossovers; for comparison, the front-drive Honda HR-V was rated at 28/34/31 mpg and the Jeep Renegade at 22/30/25 mpg.

The C-HR competed with the Honda HR-V, Jeep Renegade, Chevrolet Trax, and Mazda CX-3, all front-wheel-drive-focused subcompact crossovers. It was roomy for front occupants, but its sloping roof and thick pillars limited rear visibility, and its 19.0-cubic-foot cargo area behind the rear seats was smaller than the HR-V’s.

Pricing and Release Date

Toyota listed MSRPs of $20,995 for the LE, $23,030 for the XLE, and $26,050 for the Limited, all before a $1,095 delivery, processing, and handling fee. Cars.com listed destination-inclusive prices of about $21,145, $23,180, and $26,200. Every 2019 C-HR came with a 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty, a 5-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty, and ToyotaCare, which covered scheduled maintenance for 2 years or 25,000 miles and two years of roadside assistance. The C-HR went on sale in 2018 for the 2019 model year and remained on sale through the 2022 model year before Toyota dropped it from the North American lineup and replaced its role with the Corolla Cross.

For related reading, see the 2019 Toyota Highlander Engine and Review and the 2019 Toyota Highlander Limited Platinum Review. More brand coverage is collected under Car Review.

Sources

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toyota_C-HR
• https://pressroom.toyota.com/toyota-chr-gets-tech-styling-upgrades-new-grade-strategy-2019/
• https://www.cars.com/research/toyota-c_hr-2019/
• https://www.edmunds.com/toyota/c-hr/2019/features-specs/
• https://www.iihs.org/ratings/vehicle/toyota/c-hr-4-door-suv/2019
• https://www.caranddriver.com/toyota/c-hr-2019

The 2019 Toyota C-HR XLE is a mid-range version of Toyota’s subcompact crossover, a five-door vehicle that the company markets under the “Coupe High Rider” name. The C-HR went on sale in the United States for the 2018 model year and was built in Turkey for North America. This article covers the 2019 model’s grade changes, engine, equipment, safety features, and pricing.

What the C-HR Is

Toyota presented the production C-HR at the March 2016 Geneva Motor Show and started production in November 2016. It reached North America in early 2017 as a 2018 model. The car uses Toyota’s TNGA-C (GA-C) platform, the same architecture as the E210-generation Corolla. The North American version is assembled in Turkey and powered by a larger 2.0-liter engine than the European model, which offered a 1.2-liter turbo or a 1.8-liter hybrid.

The C-HR is a front-wheel-drive vehicle only; all-wheel drive was never offered in the United States. Toyota positions it below the RAV4 and alongside other small hatchbacks in its showrooms. Its fastback roofline, hidden rear door handles, and flared fenders give it a coupe-like look despite its crossover body.

Dimensions, Weight, and Packaging

The 2019 C-HR rode a 103.9-inch wheelbase and measured 171.2 inches long, 70.7 inches wide, and 61.6 inches tall. Curb weight was about 3,300 pounds, ground clearance was 5.9 inches, and the turning circle was 34.2 feet. The 60/40 split-folding rear seat left 19.0 cubic feet of cargo space behind it, expanding to 36.4 cubic feet with the seat folded, and the fuel tank held 13.2 gallons. Maximum payload was 835 pounds.

Where the C-HR Fit in the Lineup

The C-HR was Toyota’s smallest crossover in the United States until the Corolla Cross arrived for 2022. All-wheel drive was never offered in the United States, although other markets paired a 1.2-liter turbocharged engine with all-wheel drive.

What Changed for 2019

The most significant change for 2019 was a new grade strategy. Toyota moved from the 2018 lineup of XLE and XLE Premium to three grades for 2019: LE, XLE, and Limited. Apple CarPlay became standard across all grades, and every version received an 8-inch touchscreen. Exterior and interior updates were applied across the range as well.

• LE — 17-inch steel wheels, LED daytime running lights with halogen headlamps, and a polyurethane steering wheel.
• XLE — Blind Spot Monitor with Rear Cross Traffic Alert, auto-folding side mirrors, “Toyota C-HR” puddle lamps, a piano-black upper console, and a Smart Key system with push-button start.
• Limited — fog lamps, rain-sensing wipers, heated front seats, a driver’s-seat power lumbar adjustment, chrome window trim, and leather-trimmed or leather-and-fabric seats.

Engine and Performance

Every 2019 C-HR in North America used a naturally aspirated 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, code 3ZR-FAE, rated at 144 horsepower at 6,100 rpm and 139 lb-ft of torque at 3,900 rpm. It drives the front wheels through Toyota’s continuously variable transmission with intelligence and Shift mode, known as CVTi-S.

The engine uses Toyota’s Valvematic system, which varies intake-valve lift and timing, along with Variable Valve Timing, to balance economy and response. The CVTi-S has redesigned pulleys, a revised belt structure, and a coaxial two-port oil pump. A Sport mode sharpens throttle response and holds higher engine speeds, and the transmission offers a simulated seven-speed Sequential Shiftmatic function.

Interior, Seating, and Cargo

The C-HR’s cabin uses a driver-focused layout Toyota calls MeZONE, with a dashboard angled toward the driver and an 8-inch display mounted on top of the dash rather than recessed into it. The car seats five. A 4.2-inch color multi-information display between the gauges shows trip, fuel economy, and other data. The rear seat is a 60/40 split-folding bench.

Relative to its subcompact footprint, the interior is roomy for front occupants, but the sloping roofline and thick pillars limit rear visibility, and cargo space behind the rear seats is modest compared with boxier rivals.

Safety

Toyota Safety Sense-P was standard on every 2019 C-HR. The package included a pre-collision system with pedestrian detection, lane departure alert with steering assist, full-speed-range dynamic radar cruise control, and automatic high beams. The XLE and Limited grades added Blind Spot Monitor with Rear Cross Traffic Alert as standard. The C-HR earned a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, and the IIHS rated it Good in every crashworthiness category and Superior for front crash prevention, though its halogen projector headlights were rated Poor.

Fuel Economy

The 2019 C-HR was EPA-rated at 27 mpg city, 31 mpg highway, and 29 mpg combined. That placed it mid-pack among subcompact crossovers; for comparison, the front-drive Honda HR-V was rated at 28/34/31 mpg and the Jeep Renegade at 22/30/25 mpg.

The C-HR competed with the Honda HR-V, Jeep Renegade, Chevrolet Trax, and Mazda CX-3, all front-wheel-drive-focused subcompact crossovers. It was roomy for front occupants, but its sloping roof and thick pillars limited rear visibility, and its 19.0-cubic-foot cargo area behind the rear seats was smaller than the HR-V’s.

Pricing and Release Date

Toyota listed MSRPs of $20,995 for the LE, $23,030 for the XLE, and $26,050 for the Limited, all before a $1,095 delivery, processing, and handling fee. Cars.com listed destination-inclusive prices of about $21,145, $23,180, and $26,200. Every 2019 C-HR came with a 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty, a 5-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty, and ToyotaCare, which covered scheduled maintenance for 2 years or 25,000 miles and two years of roadside assistance. The C-HR went on sale in 2018 for the 2019 model year and remained on sale through the 2022 model year before Toyota dropped it from the North American lineup and replaced its role with the Corolla Cross.

For related reading, see the 2019 Toyota Highlander Engine and Review and the 2019 Toyota Highlander Limited Platinum Review. More brand coverage is collected under Car Review.

Sources

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toyota_C-HR
• https://pressroom.toyota.com/toyota-chr-gets-tech-styling-upgrades-new-grade-strategy-2019/
• https://www.cars.com/research/toyota-c_hr-2019/
• https://www.edmunds.com/toyota/c-hr/2019/features-specs/
• https://www.iihs.org/ratings/vehicle/toyota/c-hr-4-door-suv/2019
• https://www.caranddriver.com/toyota/c-hr-2019