The follow up to the first-generation Toyota C-HR has been officially teased by the global automaker and will come to Australia in the “coming years”
Toyota has announced a new concept car – the prologue concept – that the company says will eventually morph into the next-generation C-HR small SUV.
Most importantly for Australia, Toyota stated that it is looking forward to introducing the full-production version into Australia in the coming years.
While the concept accentuates design inspiration from the current C-HR, features such as a slimmer grille and headlights, along with tri-colour paintwork differentiate it from the past.
The new Toyota C-HR prologue concept
The Japanese automaker has said that both hybrid and plug-in hybrid powertrains will be announced at launch, however there is no word yet about a fully-electric version.
The first-generation C-HR small SUV was launched in Australia in 2016 and, since that time, has become recognisable for its quirky looks and futuristic design.
At last count, Toyota had sold 7409 C-HRs since the beginning of 2022, up from the 6074 units sold in the same time frame during 2021. However, the C-HR is still some way off its major rivals in the small-SUV segment such as the Hyundai Kona and Mazda CX-30.
Despite design changes, the prototype is still unmistakably C-HR
In the meantime, what about the current C-HR?
If Toyota’s product cycles are anything to go by, the current C-HR could stick around until 2024 or 2025.
Currently, the C-HR is available in GXL, Koba and GR Sport trim levels. The range starts from $30,915 before on-road costs for a GXL front-drive petrol and tops out at the high-spec C-HR Koba hybrid that is priced from $37,665 before on-road costs.
We think the tri-tone paint work is pretty cool!
Two powertrains are offered for the current C-HR – a 1.2-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine or a 1.8-litre four-cylinder hybrid setup.
Outputs for the non-hybrid variant are 85kW/185Nm, while the hybrid version produces 90kW combined.
Keyword: Toyota C-HR: prototype of next-generation small SUV teased, future Australian launch confirmed