- Best buy: 1.8 L Hybrid Sport — sweet spot of equipment, efficiency and resale.
- Avoid if practicality matters: 388 L boot and limited rear visibility are real coupe-SUV compromises.
- Company car drivers: PHEV is the BIK winner — 66 km WLTP electric range, Category A1 BIK with €30k OMV reduction in 2026.
- 5-year total cost: ~€31,000 (1.8 L HEV) — between Yaris Cross (~€26,500) and Tucson HEV (~€32,800).
- Toyota Relax warranty extends up to 10 years / 1,000,000 km with annual Toyota dealer servicing — strongest in the coupe-SUV class.
At a glance — April 2026
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| New price (Ireland) | ~€36,000–€48,000 (Hybrid) · ~€42,000–€50,000 (PHEV) · Trade-In Booster €1,750 HEV / €2,000 PHEV |
| Used (3 years old) | ~€26,000–€34,000 |
| Motor tax — 1.8 Hybrid | ~€190/year (CO₂ ~110 g/km, Band B) |
| Motor tax — 2.0 Hybrid AWD-i | ~€220/year (CO₂ ~120 g/km, Band C1) |
| Motor tax — PHEV | ~€140/year (CO₂ ~22 g/km, Band A1) |
| Insurance bracket | Group 18–25 |
| Real-world fuel — Hybrid | 5.0–5.5 L/100 km (1.8 L) · 5.5–6.0 L/100 km (2.0 L) |
| PHEV electric range (WLTP) | ~66 km |
| Boot — Hybrid | 388 L |
| Boot — PHEV | ~310 L (battery under boot floor) |
| Euro NCAP | 5 stars (2024 — 2nd-gen) |
| Warranty | 3 years / 100,000 km · up to 10 yr / 1M km via Toyota Relax · 15-yr hybrid battery via Hybrid Health Check |
| Production | 2nd gen (XW20) since late 2023, Sakarya, Türkiye |
Full specs — every drivetrain
Performance
| Variant | Power | Torque | 0–100 km/h | Top speed | Drive |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.8 L Hybrid | 140 hp / 103 kW | 185 Nm | ~10.2 s | 170 km/h | FWD, e-CVT |
| 2.0 L Hybrid FWD | 197 hp / 145 kW | 206 Nm | ~8.1 s | 180 km/h | FWD, e-CVT |
| 2.0 L Hybrid AWD-i | 197 hp + ~30 kW rear motor | 206 Nm | ~8.0 s | 180 km/h | AWD-i (electric rear axle) |
| 2.0 L PHEV | 220 hp / 164 kW combined | ~210 Nm | ~7.4 s | 180 km/h | FWD, e-CVT |
Dimensions & capacities
| Item | Figure |
|---|---|
| Length | 4,360 mm |
| Width (excl. mirrors) | 1,830 mm |
| Height | 1,565 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,640 mm |
| Ground clearance | ~165 mm |
| Drag coefficient (Cd) | ~0.32 |
| Kerb weight (1.8 Hybrid) | 1,420–1,470 kg |
| Kerb weight (2.0 Hybrid AWD-i) | 1,500–1,520 kg |
| Kerb weight (PHEV) | ~1,700 kg (~280 kg over 1.8 HEV for the bigger battery) |
| Boot — Hybrid | 388 L (rear seats up) |
| Boot — PHEV | ~310 L (rear seats up — battery under floor) |
| Boot (rear seats folded) | ~1,300 L (HEV) / ~1,200 L (PHEV) |
| Towing (Hybrid, braked) | 725 kg |
| Fuel tank | 43 L |
| HEV traction battery | ~0.7 kWh lithium-ion |
| PHEV traction battery | 13.6 kWh lithium-ion |
| PHEV charging — AC 6.6 kW | 0–100% in ~2 h 30 min |
| Standard wheels | 17" / 18" / 19" GR Sport |
Emissions & efficiency (WLTP combined)
| Variant | CO₂ | Claimed L/100 km | Real-world L/100 km |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.8 L Hybrid | ~110 g/km | 4.9 | 5.0–5.5 |
| 2.0 L Hybrid FWD | ~110–115 g/km | 5.0 | 5.5–6.0 |
| 2.0 L Hybrid AWD-i | ~120 g/km | 5.4 | 5.8–6.5 |
| 2.0 L PHEV | ~22 g/km | 0.8 (test) | 0.5–5.0 (highly use-dependent) |
Why it sells in Ireland
- Distinctive coupe-SUV styling — stands out genuinely well in Irish car parks where most family SUVs look interchangeable
- Excellent hybrid efficiency — real-world 5.0 L/100 km on the 1.8 L is class-competitive
- Toyota reliability + 10-year service-linked Relax warranty
- Sportier driving feel than typical family SUVs (Tucson, Sportage, RAV4) — the lower roof and tighter dimensions translate to a more responsive feel
- Strong Irish residual values — used demand for the C-HR is consistent
- PHEV offers low BIK for company-car drivers — Category A1 with €30k OMV reduction in 2026
- Modern, premium-feeling 2nd-gen interior — quality has stepped up significantly from the 1st-gen
- Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 standard across the range
Did you know? — insider facts
When the original C-HR launched at the 2014 Paris Motor Show as a concept and arrived in production in 2016, it was Toyota's first deliberate attempt at a “coupe-SUV” — combining higher seating with a coupe-like roofline. The concept car was so divisive that Toyota expected significant pushback; instead the production model kept ~85% of the show car's look and the C-HR became Toyota's fastest-selling model in Europe at launch. It paved the way for the bZ4X, the new RAV4 styling direction, and the upcoming Lexus LBX.
Toyota officially says “C-HR” stands for “Coupe High-Rider” (a coupe-style car with an SUV ride height). But early Toyota documents used “Cross Hybrid Runabout” — and various Toyota spokespeople have given different answers in different markets. Both readings appear in different Toyota markets at different times. The hyphenation (“C-HR” not “CHR”) is deliberate Toyota stylistic preference.
The 2nd-gen XW20 (late 2023+) hides the rear door handles in the C-pillar at shoulder height — a styling trick first popularised by the Alfa Romeo 147 in 2000 and later used by Nissan Juke, Honda HR-V and Mazda 3. It makes the rear of the car look like a coupe at a glance, but takes a bit of getting used to for rear-seat passengers (especially children) who have to reach up rather than down for the handle. One of the most divisive design choices on the 2nd-gen.
The 2nd-gen C-HR PHEV (2024+) is Toyota's first plug-in hybrid in the compact-SUV class. The 2.0 L PHEV combines 220 hp with a 13.6 kWh battery and 66 km WLTP electric range — putting it directly in competition with the Hyundai Tucson PHEV, Kia Sportage PHEV and VW Tiguan eHybrid. For Toyota, this is a strategic plug-in expansion alongside the larger RAV4 PHEV (22.7 kWh) and the upcoming Lexus PHEV lineup.
European-market C-HRs are built at Toyota's Sakarya plant in Türkiye — opened in 1990s, now one of Toyota's largest plants outside Japan. Both generations have been Türkiye-built; you won't find a Japanese-built C-HR on the European market. Production volume from Sakarya supplies most of Western Europe and significant parts of the Middle East. Quality control is ISO-certified to Toyota's global standards; there's no meaningful build-quality difference vs Japanese-built Toyotas.
Underneath the divisive styling, the C-HR is built on the same TNGA-C platform that underpins the Toyota Corolla, Prius, and Lexus UX. The 1.8 L hybrid system in the C-HR is the same hardware as the Corolla's — meaning if you've test-driven a Corolla Hybrid, you've essentially tested the mechanical heart of the C-HR. The C-HR's differences are styling, packaging, slightly higher seating position, and (on top trims) the 2.0 L hybrid and PHEV drivetrains the Corolla doesn't offer.
Generation history (2016–2026)
| Generation | Years | Key Irish points |
|---|---|---|
| 1st (AX10) | 2016–2023 | Toyota's first coupe-SUV; divisive 2014 concept-car styling carried through to production with ~85% retained; 1.2 L turbo petrol + 1.8 L hybrid options; popular with style-focused Irish buyers; 2019 facelift refreshed front-end and tightened ride |
| 2nd (XW20) | Late 2023–present | TNGA-C platform shared with Corolla; 1.8 + 2.0 L hybrid + 2.0 L PHEV (Toyota's first PHEV in this class); hidden rear door handles in C-pillar; mid-life refresh expected late 2026 |
10 years of continuous Irish presence. The 1st-gen cars (2016–2023) are now reaching used sweet-spot age and are widely available between €15,000–€26,000 with full service histories — the 1.8 L hybrid is the long-term keeper, the 1.2 L turbo petrol less so on long-term reliability data.
The drivetrain choice
1.8 L Hybrid — the volume seller
- 1.8 L Atkinson-cycle 4-cyl + electric motor; 140 hp combined; 185 Nm
- e-CVT (planetary-gear hybrid transmission); FWD only
- 0–100 km/h in ~10.2 s; top speed 170 km/h
- Real-world 5.0–5.5 L/100 km on Irish roads
- Recommended for most private buyers
2.0 L Hybrid FWD — the more powerful HEV
- 2.0 L Atkinson-cycle 4-cyl + electric motor; 197 hp combined; 206 Nm
- e-CVT; FWD
- 0–100 km/h in ~8.1 s — meaningfully faster than the 1.8
- Real-world 5.5–6.0 L/100 km — only marginally thirstier
- Worth the upgrade for sportier feel and overtaking pace
2.0 L Hybrid AWD-i — the all-weather option
- Same 2.0 L drivetrain plus separate electric motor on rear axle (no driveshaft)
- 0–100 km/h in ~8.0 s; ~30 kg over FWD
- Useful for occasional poor-weather rural driving — wet grass, muddy tracks, light snow
- Real-world 5.8–6.5 L/100 km
- Not a substitute for proper mechanical 4WD
2.0 L PHEV — the company-car winner
- 2.0 L Atkinson + larger 13.6 kWh battery; 220 hp combined
- ~66 km WLTP electric range
- FWD, e-CVT
- 0–100 km/h in ~7.4 s
- ~280 kg heavier than 1.8 L HEV
- Boot drops to ~310 L (battery under floor)
- Worth it with daily home charging committed OR for company-car BIK case
Irish trim breakdown
| Trim | Indicative price (1.8 Hybrid) | Key kit |
|---|---|---|
| Luna | ~€36,000 | 17" alloys, 12.3" touchscreen, AppleCarPlay/Android Auto, full LED lights, Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, dual-zone climate, rear camera + sensors |
| Sport (sweet spot) | ~€40,000 | 18" alloys, larger 12.3" cluster, heated front seats, leather steering wheel, blind-spot monitoring, parking sensors, ambient lighting |
| Sol | ~€44,000 | Sport-look styling, sport seats, premium audio, ventilated front seats option |
| GR Sport | ~€46,000 | 19" alloys, sport bumpers, ground-effect-style rear diffuser styling, sport seats, dark interior trim, red GR badging |
| PHEV (any trim) | ~€42,000–€50,000 | Same trim hierarchy; PHEV adds ~€4–€6k over equivalent HEV |
Sport is the value sweet spot — most equipment buyers want without the premium of GR Sport styling.
Real running costs — annual (1.8 Hybrid, 20,000 km / year)
| Item | 1.8 L Hybrid | 2.0 L Hybrid AWD-i | 2.0 L PHEV (charged daily) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fuel / electricity | ~€1,800 | ~€2,100 | ~€1,000 |
| Motor tax | €190 | €220 | €140 |
| Insurance | €700–€1,200 | €750–€1,300 | €800–€1,400 |
| Service (Toyota dealer, includes HHC) | €300–€400 | €320–€420 | €350–€450 |
| Depreciation (year 1) | ~€2,500 | ~€2,800 | ~€3,500 |
| Annual total (excl. finance) | ~€5,500–€6,100 | ~€6,200–€6,800 | ~€5,800–€6,500 |
5-year ownership cost projection
Total cost of ownership over 5 years / 100,000 km (median Irish driver, 5+ years NCB, Toyota dealer serviced for Toyota Relax warranty extension):
| Item | 1.8 L HEV | 2.0 L HEV AWD-i | 2.0 L PHEV (daily charge) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fuel / electricity (5 yr) | ~€9,000 | ~€10,500 | ~€5,000 |
| Motor tax (5 yr) | €950 | €1,100 | €700 |
| Insurance (5 yr) | ~€4,500 | ~€5,000 | ~€5,500 |
| Servicing (5 yr) | ~€1,750 | ~€1,850 | ~€2,000 |
| Depreciation | ~€14,000 | ~€16,000 | ~€18,000 |
| Tyres + consumables | ~€800 | ~€900 | ~€900 |
| 5-year total cost | ~€31,000 | ~€35,350 | ~€32,100 |
| Cost per km | ~€0.31 | ~€0.35 | ~€0.32 |
1.8 L HEV and PHEV are essentially level over 5 years — the PHEV's upfront premium and steeper depreciation are offset by lower fuel costs IF charged daily. For a private buyer without daily home charging, the 1.8 L Hybrid wins on simplicity and total cost. For a company-car driver, the PHEV's BIK advantage adds another ~€1,500–€2,500/year of tax-side savings on top.
Depreciation + resale retention
| Variant | 1-year retention | 3-year retention | 5-year retention |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.8 L Hybrid | ~85% | ~68% | ~54% |
| 2.0 L Hybrid FWD | ~84% | ~67% | ~52% |
| 2.0 L Hybrid AWD-i | ~83% | ~66% | ~50% |
| 2.0 L PHEV | ~80% | ~63% | ~48% |
| GR Sport (any engine) | ~83% | ~66% | ~51% |
The 1.8 L Hybrid holds value best — partly Toyota reliability halo, partly broader used demand for the base hybrid as the most accessible entry into the C-HR range. PHEVs depreciate slightly faster because the used buyer pool is smaller and the larger battery's long-term residual is harder to predict.
Common Irish issues
- Rear visibility limited due to coupe styling — parking sensors and rear camera are essential, not optional. The 2nd-gen marginally improved the rear glass but it's still meaningfully worse than a Corolla hatch or Yaris Cross
- Boot smaller than competitors — 388 L (HEV) / ~310 L (PHEV) is tight for a full pram + changing bag, golf bag, two suitcases for an airport run. Less practical for big shopping or pram users
- Rear cabin slightly cramped due to sloping roofline — taller rear-seat passengers feel the headroom limit
- Adaptive cruise control sometimes overly cautious in Irish urban traffic — typical of all 2022+ ADAS-equipped cars
- Hidden rear door handles in C-pillar take getting used to — particularly for child passengers
- e-CVT drone under hard acceleration — characteristic of all Toyota hybrid systems, not a fault
NCT pitfalls (model-specific)
- Generally excellent first-time pass rates — Toyota build quality is high
- Front tyre wear on heavier 2.0 L AWD-i — rotation matters every 10,000 km
- Headlight aim post-kerb impact — LED units are more expensive to adjust correctly (€20–€80 with a proper beam-setter)
- 12V auxiliary battery often weakens by year 4–5 — €120–€180 dealer replacement
- OBD pre-test scan recommended (Phase 2 since May 2023 — engine warning light = automatic fail)
- See our How to Read Your NCT Report guide
Side-by-side competition (April 2026)
| Model (Hybrid) | Price from | 0–100 | Real L/100 km | Motor tax | Boot | Warranty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Toyota C-HR 1.8 Hybrid | €36,000 | 10.2 s | 5.0–5.5 | €190 | 388 L | 3 yr (10 yr w/ Toyota Relax) |
| Hyundai Kona Hybrid | €34,295 | 11.2 s | 5.0–6.0 | €190 | 466 L | 5 yr unlimited |
| Mazda CX-30 | €36,500 | 9.4 s | 6.5–7.5 | €220 | 430 L | 3 yr / 100k |
| Renault Arkana E-Tech HEV | €34,000 | 10.8 s | 5.5–6.5 | €200 | 513 L | 3 yr / 100k |
| Ford Puma 1.0 EcoBoost MHEV | €32,000 | 9.3 s | 5.5–6.5 | €220 | 456 L | 3 yr / 100k |
| Toyota Yaris Cross HEV 130 | €30,640 | 10.7 s | 4.5–5.0 | €190 | 397 L | 3 yr (10 yr w/ Toyota Relax) |
C-HR's honest place in the field: best warranty (Toyota Relax 10 years), distinctive styling, slightly tighter boot than rivals. The Kona Hybrid is more practical with a bigger boot at cheaper pricing. The Mazda CX-30 has a more upmarket interior feel. The Renault Arkana is cheaper and more practical. The Ford Puma is sportier and has more boot. The Yaris Cross is the smaller / cheaper / more efficient Toyota sibling. C-HR wins on style + Toyota warranty; rivals win on practicality at the same money.
Best engine / trim to buy
- Best buy: 1.8 L Hybrid Sport — sweet spot of equipment, real-world economy, and resale
- Avoid if practicality matters: rear visibility and boot space are real coupe-SUV compromises that don't go away. Yaris Cross or Corolla hatch is better value if practicality wins
- Company car drivers: PHEV in mid-spec for the BIK saving (Category A1, €30k OMV reduction in 2026)
- Skip GR Sport unless the look is worth ~€2,500 premium and the firmer 19" ride doesn't bother you
- AWD-i only if you genuinely need it — most Irish drivers don't, and the FWD 2.0 L Hybrid feels nearly identical 95% of the time
Used buyer's checklist
- Hybrid Health Check (HHC) up to date — extends warranty by 1 year / 15,000 km at each annual service via Toyota Relax
- Service history at a Toyota dealer — required to maintain Toyota Relax warranty extension; private-history cars lose this
- For PHEV: battery State of Health certificate, charging cable condition, MyT app charging logs to verify previous owner actually charged it
- Boot space confirmed adequate for your needs — sit in the rear seats and load a typical week's shopping before buying; the boot really is smaller than rivals
- All recall work completed — verify VIN at toyota.ie
- Software update history at last service
- Tyre tread + age (4 mm+ recommended; replace anything over 6 years regardless) — see our Car Tyres in Ireland guide
- NCT VIR (Vehicle Inspection Report) — see our NCT Report Explained guide
- 1st-gen 2016–2023 cars: 1.8 L Hybrid is the long-term keeper; 1.2 L turbo petrol has weaker long-term reliability data
The honest verdict
The C-HR is the right choice for buyers who care about styling and sportier feel more than absolute practicality. You get a coupe-SUV that genuinely stands out, Toyota's reliability halo, the most generous warranty in the class (Toyota Relax 10 years), and the choice of three competent hybrid drivetrains plus a new PHEV that's Toyota's first plug-in in this segment. The trade-offs are real and unchanged across both generations: smaller boot than rivals, limited rear visibility, slightly cramped rear seat for taller passengers.
Buy the 1.8 L Hybrid Sport for the best balance of equipment, resale and value — or the PHEV mid-spec if you're a company-car driver wanting the BIK case. Skip the AWD-i unless you genuinely need it; skip GR Sport unless looks are worth the premium. If practicality matters more than style, the Corolla hatch or Yaris Cross is the smarter Toyota in the same showroom.
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