20 MINUTES WITH A TOYOTA CH-R HYBRID

EV Channels Review

The Toyota CH-R Hybrid, while visually appealing and boasting impressive build quality, falls short of expectations in several key areas. Reviewers found the 1.8L petrol engine paired with the CVT gearbox to be excessively noisy and sluggish, particularly when acceleration is needed. The hybrid system's electric-only range is limited to approximately 10 miles, and the brake regeneration is surprisingly weak, feeling more like a conventional braking system. The infotainment screen, though large, is described as slow and dated in its interface. Despite its attractive exterior and interior design, and a comprehensive list of standard safety features like adaptive cruise control and blind-spot monitoring, the CH-R Hybrid's performance and real-world fuel economy (45 MPG achieved versus a claimed 72.4 MPG) are significant drawbacks. The reviewers concluded that while it's a step up from the aging Prius and Juke, it feels more like a sideways move than a true advancement, ultimately recommending against purchasing it for those transitioning from petrol cars.