Toyota C-HR onboards extra hybrid as entry-level petrol exits.

Toyota has dropped the petrol non-hybrid from the C-HR range, but added a new more powerful hybrid option in its place

Toyota’s C-HR hybrid SUV has onboarded an extra petrol-electric hybrid powertrain as the former entry-level 1.2-litre petrol exits the line-up.

Bringing the range in keeping with the Corolla and RAV4, the change comes as Toyota reports increasing hybrid demand; 2018 saw just under 16,000 C-HR hybrid registrations compared to around 3,000 registrations of the petrol model.

Building on this, the updated model introduces a new 2.0-litre 182bhp hybrid with uprated suspension, alongside the existing 1.8-litre 120hp unit. Set to further enhance demand for the C-HR – which has an 8.3% segment share in the UK – the Corolla-derived powertrain offers CO2 emissions of 92g/km (NEDC correlated) compared to 86g/km for the 1.8-litre, with fuel economy yet to be announced.

The 2.0-litre hybrid also benefits from a new suspension design said to improve ride comfort while the existing unit has been updated with modified electric power steering tuning for improved steering feel.

Further changes bring a new multimedia system that includes Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration and also enables ‘over the air’ map updates to allow customers to access the latest versions of European road maps.

Design changes bring front and rear updates, including new LED head lights and combi lights at the rear with a gloss black spoiler.

Prices start from £25,625 for the entry-level 1.8-litre Icon model, with Design, Excel and Dynamic grades all on offer, along with the range-topping ‘Orange Edition’.