The next-generation Toyota C-HR crossover has been spied for the first time inside and out ahead of its Australian arrival in the first half of 2024.
This new C-HR was first previewed back in 2022 with the C-HR Prologue concept, which has an evolution of the current model’s coupe-like profile plus some design cues from the new Prius.
One notable difference is this camouflaged prototype has flush door handles for both the front and rear doors, whereas the concept had hidden rear door handles like the current model.
Our spy photographers also caught a glimpse of the interior of this next-gen C-HR, and it appears to borrow its gear selector, tablet-style touchscreen and climate control buttons from the new Prius.
As previously reported, the second-generation Toyota C-HR will be offered exclusively with hybrid power.
There will be a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) version but Toyota Australia has ruled it out for our market. The company has never offered PHEV versions of the Prius and RAV4 locally.
While hybrids make up a majority of sale of other Toyota models locally, the next C-HR will be only the second Toyota to be sold here exclusively as a hybrid following the now discontinued Prius.
Toyota is aiming for 50 per cent of its sales locally to be of electrified vehicles – including EVs like the bZ4X – by 2025. Last year, Toyota sold 72,815 hybrids, accounting for 31.5 per cent of its overall sales.
The outgoing C-HR is manufactured in Japan, China and Turkey. Australian-spec models come from Japan, which is part of the reason why we don’t get the more powerful 2.0-litre hybrid drivetrain available in Europe.
The new generation has also been confirmed for Turkish production, and will be the first PHEV produced at Toyota Motor Manufacturing Turkey. Batteries will be produced in-house from December 2023.
Toyota is calling the Turkish expansion another stepping stone to Toyota’s goal of 100 per cent CO2 reduction of its European vehicle line-up by 2035.
As before, the swoopy C-HR will be positioned alongside the Corolla Cross in the Small SUV segment, above the smaller Yaris Cross and below the larger RAV4. Think of it as a Corolla Cross ‘Coupe’.
It’s likely the C-HR will feature a similar powertrain line-up to the Prius that recently launched overseas, including both 103kW 1.8-litre and 144kW 2.0-litre hybrid options, and a 164kW 2.0-litre plug-in hybrid.
The new Prius PHEV features a 13.6kWh lithium-ion battery, and according to preliminary European specifications should be able to achieve 69km of electric-only driving.
Currently, the C-HR’s pricing in Australia starts at $31,715 before on-roads for the GXL 2WD 1.2-litre turbo petrol, and extends to $38,465 before on-roads for the GR Sport and Koba 2WD Hybrids.
As a hybrid-only offering, expect to see a higher base price for the new C-HR range.
The original C-HR was revealed at the 2016 Geneva motor show, and launched in Australia as a petrol-only proposition early in 2017.
A hybrid option, available in other markets since launch, didn’t make it to Australia until the mid-life facelift arrived locally in December 2019.
MORE: Everything Toyota C-HR
Keyword: Our first look at the 2024 Toyota C-HR hybrid crossover