By Christopher A. Sawyer
The Virtual Driver

(January 2, 2017) The letters stand for “Coupe-High Rider,” but the crossover vehicle itself was supposed to launch as a Scion. Only that brand was euthanized not long after Toyota added the iA and iM to the lineup, and everything that remained was rebadged a Toyota. The C-HR its built on the modular Toyota New Global Architecture platform first used on the new Prius.

Toyota claims the C-HR’s responses were tuned on the Nürburgring Nordschleife, where the low center of gravity, low weight and extra rigidity — gained through adding spot welds, brackets, gussets and adhesives on and in key connecting structures — proved their mettle. The MacPherson strut front suspension has angled strut bearings, Sachs damper inserts, and a large diameter anti-roll bar, while the rear suspension is a double-wishbone independent design with Sachs dampers with urethane upper supports, and a cast-aluminum upper support housing.

Power is supplied by a transversely mounted 2.0-liter inline four producing 144 horsepower, 140 lb.-ft. of torque, and drives the front wheels through a CVT automatic transmission. The CVT has revised pulleys that enhance performance and fuel economy, a new and quieter belt design and a coaxial two-port oil pump that encourages continuous oil pressure adjustments in various driving conditions.

Also, Toyota’s Preload Differential helps distribute torque between the front wheels at low speeds for greater driving composure. And, as you might expect, there’s a simulated sequential shift program that lets the driver move up and down seven virtual gears.

The instrument panel is built around a driver oriented “MeZone” that angles the controls slightly toward the driver, places the 7-in. audio display atop the center of the dash, and covers most surfaces with soft-touch material. There’s a small diameter leather-covered steering wheel, and a satin-plated shift knob which Toyota claims speaks to the C-HR’s sports car overtones.

The C-HR launches with two models, the XLE and XLE Premium. Standard on the former are things like power folding heated mirrors, auto-dimming rearview mirror with backup camera, electric parking brake, and dual-zone climate control. The XLE Premium adds Blind Spot Monitoring with Rear Cross Traffic Alert, heated front seats, power lumbar for the driver’s seat, auto folding heated side mirrors whose puddle lamps project “Toyota C-HR” at night, and Smart Key with Pushbutton Start.

Both grades come standard with Toyota Safety Sense P, an active safety bundle that includes Pre Collision with Pedestrian Detection, Forward Collision Warning, Automatic Emergency Braking, Lane Departure with Steering Assist, Automatic High Beams, and Full-Speed Dynamic Radar Cruise Control. And that acronym fest is in addition to the 10 standard airbags, hill start assist and rear backup camera.

The C-HR goes on sale this spring, and pricing will be set closer to launch.

The Virtual Driver