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Toyota C-HR 2021 review

SUV Hybrid

Toyota C-HR 2021 — front three-quarter view

Overview

The first-generation Toyota C-HR was facelifted in late 2019, with UK deliveries from January 2020, and the 2021 model year carries that refreshed car. The mid-life update was significant for Britain: the 1.2-litre turbo petrol was dropped from the UK line-up, so every 2021 C-HR sold here is a self-charging hybrid. UK prices from the official 2021 price list started at £27,440 on the road for the Icon 1.8 Hybrid, rising to £33,710 for a Dynamic 2.0 Hybrid. This coupe-styled small SUV competed with cars such as the Nissan Juke, Renault Captur and Audi Q2 — standing out as the only one with hybrid power standard, and one of the sharpest-looking cars in the class.

Two self-charging hybrid powertrains were offered, both driving the front wheels through an e-CVT automatic. The 1.8 VVT-i hybrid produces 122hp, covers 0-62mph in 11.0 seconds and returns 54.3-58.9mpg on the combined WLTP cycle with CO2 of 109-118g/km (official 2021 price-list CO2: 110-112g/km depending on trim). The newer 2.0 VVT-i hybrid makes 184hp, cuts the 0-62mph sprint to 8.2 seconds and manages 49.6-54.3mpg with CO2 of 119-120g/km on the 2021 list. Both were Euro 6 compliant, and Toyota expected around three-quarters of UK buyers to pick the 1.8 for its lower running costs.

The 2021 UK trim ladder, per Toyota UK's official 2021 price list, ran Icon (£27,440), Design (£29,840 / £31,460 for the 2.0), Excel (£31,950 / £33,570), Dynamic (£32,090 / £33,710) and GR Sport (£31,950 / £33,570); a limited-run Orange Edition was also offered at launch. Icon was 1.8-only, the rest available with either engine. Standard kit on all grades included Toyota Safety Sense (autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control, lane departure alert), a touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a reversing camera and dual-zone climate control. The C-HR earned a five-star Euro NCAP rating in 2017. Practicality is the trade-off for the styling: the boot holds 377 litres with the rear seats up, and the 60:40 split backrests fold to extend it.

As a used buy in 2026, the C-HR is a sensible choice: 2021 cars advertised on Parkers typically sit between £15,000 and £20,000 depending on mileage and trim, with leggy early examples from around £14,500. Buy the 1.8 if economy matters most — most cars are 1.8s anyway. What to check: insist on a full Toyota or reputable service history and look for evidence of recent Hybrid Health Checks, because Toyota's Relax programme extends warranty cover — including the hybrid battery and components — up to 10 years or 100,000 miles with qualifying main-dealer services (extendable to 15 years with stand-alone hybrid checks). The small 12V auxiliary battery (housed under the boot floor) can go flat on cars left standing, so check for slow starting after a period parked; ask about the hybrid battery cooling fan intake filter, which clogs with dust and pet hair; and check tyre wear — uneven wear hints at alignment or suspension knocks. Rear visibility is poor by design, so a test drive should confirm you are happy with the over-the-shoulder view.

UK price from: £27,440

Related buying guides:
Best hybrid cars UK
Best small SUVs UK

Specifications

Engine (1.8 Hybrid)	1,798cc petrol-electric self-charging hybrid, 122hp
Engine (2.0 Hybrid)	1,987cc petrol-electric self-charging hybrid, 184hp
Transmission	e-CVT automatic
Drive	Front-wheel drive
0-62 mph	11.0 seconds (1.8 Hybrid); 8.2 seconds (2.0 Hybrid)
Fuel economy	54.3-58.9 mpg WLTP combined (1.8); 49.6-54.3 mpg (2.0)
CO2 emissions	110-120 g/km (official 2021 UK price list, by variant)
Boot space	377 litres (rear seats up)
Fuel tank	43 litres
Euro NCAP	5 stars (2017 test)
Insurance group	Group 14 (1.8 Design) to group 16 (2.0 GR Sport)
Warranty	5 years / 100,000 miles standard; Toyota Relax extends hybrid cover to 10 years / 100,000 miles

Features

Facelifted 2019 styling with revised bumpers, LED lighting and coupe roofline
Toyota Safety Sense standard on every trim (AEB with pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise, lane departure alert, road sign assist, auto high beam)
8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard
Reversing camera and dual-zone automatic climate control on all grades
Design grade adds 18-inch alloys, sat-nav with connected services, heated front seats, smart entry and parking sensors with auto braking
Excel adds full leather upholstery, adaptive LED headlamps, blind-spot monitor, lane-change assistance and rear cross-traffic alert with braking
Dynamic adds black two-tone roof, sequential LED indicators and unique 18-inch alloy design
GR Sport grade with sport-themed body kit and interior trim, plus optional JBL premium audio available higher up the range

Common parts & prices

Part	Price (GBP)	Notes
Front brake pads (set)	£32	Pattern part; wears slowly thanks to regenerative braking
Front brake discs (pair)	£72	Pattern part; corrosion rather than wear is the usual reason for replacement
Engine oil filter	£9	Pattern part; standard service item changed at each service
Cabin (pollen) filter	£15	Pattern part; activated-carbon versions cost a little more
12V auxiliary battery	£125	Pattern part; small unit lives under the boot floor — a weak battery causes no-start issues
Hybrid battery cooling fan intake filter	£14	Keep clean of dust and pet hair to protect the traction battery

Prices are typical UK aftermarket/OEM guide prices and may vary by supplier.

Pros

Genuinely eye-catching design that still looks fresh years later
Excellent real-world fuel economy, especially around town (owners and road tests report 50-55mpg from the 1.8)
Toyota's hybrid system is proven reliable with low servicing demands
Strong ownership package: manufacturer's warranty plus the Relax scheme extending cover — including the hybrid battery — to 10 years/100,000 miles with main-dealer servicing
Quiet, refined and easy to drive in urban conditions, with smooth e-CVT progress

Cons

Boot is small for a family SUV at 377 litres — a Nissan Qashqai offers 430
Rear visibility is genuinely poor: huge C-pillars and a tiny rear screen make parking and lane changes harder
The 1.8's e-CVT makes the engine flare noisily under hard acceleration, which spoils motorway overtaking refinement
Rear cabin feels gloomy and tight on headroom for tall passengers, with a high window line and dark headlining

Frequently asked questions

Should I buy the 1.8 or the 2.0 hybrid C-HR?

The 1.8 suits most buyers: it is cheaper to buy and insure (group 14 vs up to 16) and returns around 54-59mpg officially, with real-world figures in the low 50s. The 2.0 adds meaningful pace — 8.2 seconds to 62mph against 11.0 — but costs roughly 10 per cent more in fuel for that gain. Unless motorway pace matters to you, the 1.8 is the smarter used buy.

How big is the Toyota C-HR boot?

The boot holds 377 litres with the rear seats upright, which is modest for the class — a Nissan Qashqai manages 430 litres. The 60:40 split rear seats fold for longer loads, but the shallow floor (the 12V battery sits beneath it) and the sloping tailgate limit bulky items.

What mpg does the C-HR really do?

The official WLTP figures are 54.3-58.9mpg for the 1.8 and 49.6-54.3mpg for the 2.0. In the real world, the 1.8 typically returns 50-55mpg in mixed town and rural driving, dropping towards the high 40s on sustained motorway runs where the hybrid system gets less chance to recuperate energy.

How long does the hybrid battery last?

Toyota hybrids are famous for battery longevity, and the C-HR is no exception. Under the Relax programme, a qualifying main-dealer service each year extends warranty cover — including the hybrid battery and components — up to 10 years or 100,000 miles, and a stand-alone scheduled Hybrid Health Check can stretch that to 15 years. A 2021 car with full Toyota servicing is therefore still inside battery warranty in 2026.

Is a used 2021 Toyota C-HR a good buy?

Yes, provided you buy on condition and history. It is one of the most reliable cars in its class, cheap to run and tax, and Toyota-backed warranty cover makes a five-year-old car unusually safe to own. Pay for a full Toyota service history with Hybrid Health Checks, check the 12V battery and cooling fan filter, and accept the small boot and poor rear visibility before you commit.