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Hyundai Elantra vs Mazda32022 Toyota C-HR: Toyota’s Offbeat City Dweller
Is the 2022 Toyota C-HR right for you? We look at interior options, trim levels, and more. Read our full review here.
What’s New for the 2022 Toyota C-HR?
The big change for the 2022 Toyota C-HR is the deletion of the base LE trim. That makes the XLE the new base model with a higher price tag. Additionally, Toyota has axed Blizzard Pearl from the color palette and replaced it with Wind Chill Pearl.
2022 Toyota C-HR – toyota.com | Shop 2022 Toyota C-HR on Carsforsale.com
The Breakdown
Bold styling
Lots of technology
Good handling
Very weak engine
No AWD option
Loud interior
It’s time for a new engine
2022 Toyota Specs
- 144 horsepower from base engine
- 139 lb-ft of torque from base engine
- 3 available trims
- 19.1 cu-ft of cargo capacity
- 37 cu-ft of cargo capacity with seats down
- SiriusXM Standard
- Adaptive Cruise Standard
- Two years of complimentary maintenance
2022 Toyota C-HR Powertrain
We had a chance to pilot both the 2022 Toyota C-HR and its 2021 year model almost back to back and we can report that they’re basically identical in terms of driving dynamics. The 144-horsepower four-cylinder engine under the hood is underwhelming, to say the least. Its continuously variable transmission isn’t helpful in amping up the experience either. The C-HR weighs about 3,300 pounds which is less than a top-end Camry, but even the Corolla, which weighs a little less, is available with a 169-hp engine. We suspect that the C-HR would be a much more engaging vehicle if it had such a powertrain option.
As it stands, the package in the C-HR is okay enough to make city dwelling pretty easy but trips onto the highway were sincerely frustrating as it just doesn’t have modern passing power. Nevertheless, we do really love how well this subcompact crossover zips around corners. It’s flat in the bends and rewarding to push hard at low speeds but those opportunities are too few and far between for us to really love driving the C-HR. For example, the Mazda CX-30 and the Nissan Kicks both offer better driving dynamics.
2022 Toyota C-HR Fuel Economy & MPG
As every C-HR uses the exact same drivetrain we can confidently say that we expect everyday mileage to be close to EPA estimates. Those come in at 27 mpg for city driving and 31 mpg on the highway. That’s a strong showing for the class.
Interior, Comfort, & Cargo Space
While the cabin of the C-HR is filled with cheaper materials, Toyota has done a nice job of making it feel more upscale. The dash continues the funky fresh styling of the exterior and it’s devoid of the super-cheap materials found in other vehicles. Visibility is mostly good for the driver aside from a rough blind spot due to thick C-pillars. Seating is supportive and comfortable in both rows too. We especially like the small touches like the diamond stitching in the seat cushions.
The rear seats can feel a bit tight though and we’d recommend looking for something larger if you’re planning to transport adults back there regularly. A lack of large-scale cargo space is worth considering too. 19.1 cubic feet of space behind the rear seats isn’t bad but it fills up pretty quickly if you’re a party of three or four going on a weekend trip somewhere. Thankfully, for those who can fold the seats down, more than 30 cubic feet of space is opened up.
Entertainment & Technology
Every C-HR comes with an 8-inch infotainment system and we consider it one of the best in the class for what it is. As we mentioned in our review of the 2021 C-HR, it doesn’t offer many advanced options or even a premium audio system, but it’s still not a disappointment overall. Easy to read graphics and snappy responses to inputs make it one of the simplest to use.
Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are both standard features and we love the inclusion of SiriusXM as a standard feature. Toyota also includes physical buttons and knobs for the most important features which we think is a step above those who require you to use touchscreen buttons instead.
Safety Features
The NHTSA only awarded the C-HR four stars in crash tests but the little SUV did snag an IIHS Top Safety Pick award. It’s also equipped with a bunch of advanced driver assistance safety features like adaptive cruise control, forward collision mitigation, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, and lane-trace assist.
2022 Toyota C-HR Trims & Pricing
XLE – $25,465
The new base model, the XLE trim, starts out with 18-inch steel wheels, dual-zone automatic climate control, LED headlights, and an 8-inch infotainment system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. As mentioned above, every C-HR comes with a 144-hp four-cylinder engine, a CVT, and front-wheel drive. It also comes with forward collision mitigation, adaptive cruise control, automatic high beams, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-keep assist.
Nightshade – $25,860
The Nightshade trim adds black trim to the interior and exterior along with black 18-inch alloy wheels, and available two-tone paint with a black roof.
Limited – $28,485
The top trim adds adaptive LED headlights, chrome and piano black exterior trim, leather upholstery, heated and power-adjustable front seats, and unique 18-inch wheels.
Warranties
Every C-HR comes with a pretty basic three-year or 36,000-mile limited warranty and a five-year or 60,000-mile powertrain warranty. Nobody in the segment offers less coverage than that but some brands like Kia or Hyundai offer a lot more. Thankfully, Toyota does offer two years or 25,000-miles of complimentary maintenance to sweeten the deal.
What we think
2022 Toyota C-HR – pressroom.toyota.com | Shop 2022 Toyota C-HR on Carsforsale.com
With a higher base price for 2022, the C-HR is hard to recommend over its competitors. Mazda, Hyundai, Kia, and others seem to offer quite a bit more in terms of driving engagement, technology, space, and value for money at or below the price of a C-HR XLE. Still, it does offer a two-year complimentary maintenance package, Toyota dependability, and interior quality that won’t leave buyers asking for a lot more at this price. It’s also worth noting that the C-HR’s funky styling is cool enough that it will surely snatch up a few buyers all on its own.
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