In a recent video, automotive YouTuber Sarah Greenwood reviews a 2021 Toyota C-HR on her Sarah-n-Tuned channel. Compared to the Lexus LS500h sedan she explored earlier this month, this C-HR review puts Sarah at the polar opposite of Toyota’s automotive spectrum—about a $90,000 difference in price. The C-HR was launched in the U.S. to compete with the Nissan Kicks and other SUV-ish vehicles.
Scion Lives On With The C-HR
In her usual often flippant approach, Sarah dives right into discussing the unique characteristics of the C-HR. Remarking that this compact crossover has the spirit of a Scion—Toyota’s defunct sub-brand that died in 2016—Sarah professes a fondness for “cheap, fun-looking vehicles like this.”
She calls attention to the Nightshade Edition model in this video and its black accents on the front, wheels, and other areas. She praises the car’s LED headlights as an unusual feature in a car with a $25,000 price tag.
Sarah brings watchers to the back of the C-HR to discuss unusual exterior features. She comments that the rear door handle looks like an “origami project,” while the rear wing brings back memories of a Ford Sierra Cosworth. The protruding tail lights evoke a similarity with the Toyota Yaris GR hot hatch that Sarah laments is “sadly not available in the U.S.”
A Cheap Interior With Some Nice Touches
Moving into the cabin, Sarah comments that the C-HR’s interior is typical of lower-priced cars. She pays particular attention to the extensive use of geometric patterns on the door panels, seat covers, and headliner.
Sarah calls out the width of the C-pillars, no doubt creating rear blind spots for the driver. The camera finds her spending some time in the back seat with little positive to say about it. She does complement the C-HR for special features, including the power-folding side mirrors, substantial-looking steering wheel, decent infotainment screen, and standard electronic driver aids.
Going Off-Road With A C-HR?
Next, Sarah brings the C-HR to an off-road setting complete with a rock-paved trail. She wonders if she should take a front-wheel-drive car on this trail, and then of course, does. She traverses the rough terrain and wonders out loud if a large rock could destroy the C-HR’s oil pan. After some gentle crawling and wheel slippage, Sarah wisely reverses out of danger.
Under the hood, Sarah explains the C-HR is powered by an anemic 2.0L naturally aspirated four-cylinder producing 144 hp and 139 lb-ft of torque. The motor connects to an equally anemic CVT. She implores Toyota to empower the car with a 1.2L turbo engine and 6-speed manual that Toyota offers to C-HR buyers in some other markets. Viewers also learn that the C-HR has a chunky curb weight of 3,300 lb., about the same weight as a much larger RAV-4 in a front-wheel-drive configuration.
Sarah calls the C-HR a “good little car” though proclaims mostly below-average marks in her subjective review. She wants Toyota to offer a hot hatch model with the C-HR.
Sources: YouTube, Toyota