The subcompact crossover segment is fiercely competitive, but Toyota is throwing an energetic entrant into the ring—the 2018 Toyota C-HR.
New Hampton car shoppers will recognize it by its stubborn refusal to be defined. Yes, technically the C-HR is a subcompact crossover, like the Nissan Juke, Buick Encore, and Honda HR-V, but ask the casual observer, and they may mistake it for a large hatchback. Chief Designer Ian Cartabiano says he was aiming for the appearance of "more of an off-road, high-lift coupe" than a typical crossover.
To create the coupe-like style of the C-HR, Cartabiano made the bold choice to place the rear door handles high up on the vehicle, effectively making them "vanish" from sight.
Behind the wheel, the C-HR delivers impressive handling. With only one engine currently offered, a 144-horsepower four-cylinder, its acceleration isn't quite at sports-car levels, but its newly-developed MacPherson suspension is tuned for fearless composure over rough terrain, and steering is precise for lightning-fast corrections and confidence through corners.
