Posted by Nikki Hayes on Jun 25, 2017
Nikki Hayes drives the Toyota C-HR
Our Guest Reviewer, DJ Nikki Hayes has been checking out the Toyota C-HR One of the things I always look at these days when test driving cars is how it would suit my family. A three year old toddler, 2 dogs and there’s always a need for space. When I pulled up to Toyota in my very uncool but in fairness reliable Ford Focus, I caught sight of the C-HR parked for me in the pick-up area. It was very slick looking and definitely a car that would make heads turn. It was 5 door but it looked like a 3 door. The clever curving of the C-HR had the door handles opening from the top on the back doors which was a very cool feature as it definitely gave a more sporty look. The model I picked up was white, an XLE premium model which came with all the trimmings. The interior was brown leather which gave it an instant look and feel that you were in a top spec car. The C-HR is hybrid which meant driving around the city was very calm, the no noise factor of hybrid is winning me over more and more. From other hybrid models I have driven this year, I have learned that hybrid = fuel economy but how do they handle on long journeys? In my head, there’s only one way to find out. I decided to take a run down the M9 to Cork from Dublin to see how it handled. The C-HR packed a punch in the city but when on the motorway I felt it screamed for another gear. I also noticed that on the open road it didn’t drive as long on ‘ECO mode’ or recharge as effectively as it did in the city, so fuel consumption was greatly affected. This doesn’t take from the CHR, just something to bear in mind when you’re buying one. What am I using it for? What journeys will I be taking regularly? If you don’t have hundreds of kilometres to do every week, well the CHR really does tick the boxes. Space wise it was compact. I did have room for my daughter’s seat in the back but I couldn’t see a large family in this car, to be honest more than 1 child might be a bit cramped....
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