For the first time, the Toyota C-HR is now also available with a plug. You don’t have to complain about the range, because in addition to an electric motor, it also has a petrol engine. This Toyota C-HR is therefore a plug-in hybrid car. What does he add?
The 223 hp powertrain of the Toyota C-HR Plug-in Hybrid is no stranger, even the latest generation Toyota Prius has him. The battery has a capacity of 13.6 kWh. This should allow a range of 66 kilometers (WLTP). With the built-in 6.6 kW charger, it takes approximately 2.5 hours to fill the empty battery back up to 100 percent.
During the presentation of the C-HR, Toyota politely announced that the average distance that British people travel per day is only 30 kilometers. Anyone who plugs in fanatically will therefore rarely have to refuel.
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Electric and petrol engines are the best of friends
We have previously driven the Toyota C-HR Hybrid without a plug and again it is striking how excellent the electric motor (162 hp) and the 2.0-liter petrol engine (152 hp) work together. If the political parties at the coalition table were so united, we would have had a cabinet much sooner. You have to look at the EV symbol on the digital instrument panel to find out which engine is working and which engine is resting. The wind and tire noise also remain neatly in the background.
Heavier, but nicely balanced
We also have no complaints about the driving characteristics. The Toyota C-HR Plug-in Hybrid may be approximately 200 kilos heavier than the regular hybrid, but it still has a beautifully balanced chassis that offers comfort and sportiness. The C-HR no longer drives as sharply as the first generation from 2016, but you can confidently take corners faster than you are used to. The car remains very stable and you can position it very precisely.
“The strikingly contoured crossover has an above-average sporty handling.”
The strikingly contoured crossover has an above-average sporty handling. However, when passing short bumps in the road surface, such as narrow, nasty speed bumps, you will notice that the rear suspension sometimes makes a small jump.
Otherwise, the plug-in hybrid version is just like any other Toyota C-HR. So now we are in an interior that feels cramped and dark and will therefore not be to everyone’s taste. Although the back seat is more spacious than you initially expect based on the sloping roofline and the flatter rear window.
Toyota C-HR Plug-in Hybrid test conclusion
The Toyota C-HR Plug-in Hybrid is a welcome addition to the existing range. Especially because the prices (from £42,495) are the same as those of the strongest hybrid with 197 hp. Previously the price difference was £3,500. You must really hate plugs and charging cables if you want to ignore this offer from Toyota.