2021 Toyota C-HR Review

Name: 2021 Toyota C-HR
Brand: Toyota

Price Range: $16,995 - $25,990

2021 Toyota C-HR Limited 4dr SUV Exterior Shown

Below Average

7.1

out of 10

edmunds TESTED

The 2021 C-HR is well built and returns good fuel economy. Unfortunately, it's slow. Very slow. This characteristic hinders what is otherwise a likable subcompact crossover SUV.

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Average price: $22,362

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Appraise My 2021 Toyota C-HR

Pros

Sporty handling makes it fun to zip around turns
Comes standard with plenty of features, including safety tech
Swoopy styling helps it stand out

Cons

Unlike most rivals, it doesn't offer all-wheel drive
Even in this slow class, acceleration is lethargic
Pervasive road and engine noise in the cabin
Minimal cargo space, even for its small segment

What's new

New Nightshade Edition available
Toyota Safety Sense 2.5 suite of safety features and driver aids now standard on all trims
Part of the first C-HR generation introduced for 2018

Overview

Written by automotive expert Reese Counts

12/11/2020

The 2021 C-HR is an extra-small crossover SUV that sits at the bottom of Toyota's lineup. It serves as an entry-level model akin to the Yaris or the Corolla. Like everything in this class, the C-HR counts flashy styling as part of its appeal, though we're split on how well the design works in person.

Continue reading Edmunds Expert Rating below

For sale near Ashburn, VA

34 listings

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2021 Toyota C-HR
LE 4dr SUV
$22,998
great price
$8,174 below market
- 42,596 miles
- 5 Seats, 27 City / 31 Hwy MPG
- 651 mi away
- Delivery available*
- Back-up camera
- Bluetooth
- Upgraded Headlights
- Tire Pressure Warnin...
- USB Inputs
Close
Located in Hoover, AL
Wanna drive? CarMax puts you in the driver's seat-and that includes transparency and pricing without document or processing fees. Certain cars may hav...
Features and Specs:
29 Combined MPG (27 City/31 Highway)
Listing Information:
VIN:
NMTKHMBX3MR138460
Stock:
29017327
Certified Pre-Owned:
No
2021 Toyota C-HR
XLE 4dr SUV
$22,300
great price
$5,091 below market
- 30,490 miles
- 5 Seats, 27 City / 31 Hwy MPG
- 24 mi away
- Back-up camera
- Bluetooth
- Keyless Entry/Start
- Upgraded Headlights
- Blind Spot Monitorin...
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Located in Frederick, MD
Discover the perfect blend of style and versatility with this 2021 Toyota C-HR XLE. Boasting a sleek Gray exterior, this compact crossover is ready to...
Features and Specs:
29 Combined MPG (27 City/31 Highway)
Listing Information:
VIN:
NMTKHMBXXMR127875
Stock:
P1F0286
Certified Pre-Owned:
No
Listed since:
07-01-2026

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Changes for 2021 are limited to the addition of more standard driver aids and a new trim level, though the C-HR had an update in 2020 that brought with it new front-end styling and more features, including LED headlights and Android Auto smartphone compatibility. Overall, the C-HR is a decent choice but lags behind rivals such as the Hyundai Kona, Kia Soul and Mazda CX-30. Learn more about the C-HR's strengths and weaknesses by reading the categories of our Expert Rating.

Edmunds Expert Rating

edmunds TESTED

by the Edmunds Experts

Below Average

7.1

out of 10

We drove the 2021 Toyota C-HR on our test track and on real roads. Our Edmunds team conducts rigorous independent vehicle testing, driving 500,000 miles a year.

Performance

7/10

How does the C-HR drive? It's difficult to recommend a vehicle as sluggish as the Toyota C-HR. Its four-cylinder engine simply can't muster enough power to get the C-HR going with any authority. At Edmunds' test track, we logged a 0-60 mph time of 10.6 seconds. That's slower than other small crossovers and hatchbacks. It's even slower than a Toyota Prius.

But the C-HR holds its own in other categories. The brake pedal is easy to modulate, so it's easy to stop smoothly, and the steering is easy to twirl around at low speeds and accurate in sporty situations. The C-HR is also somewhat entertaining to drive on a twisty road even if there's a distinct lack of grip from the tires.

Comfort

7.5/10

How comfortable is the C-HR? The C-HR's seats are well cushioned and supportive, and the suspension smooths out most bumps in the road. The cabin is a pleasant place to be whether you're a driver or passenger.

That said, the C-HR isn't built for less than perfect conditions. We noticed that larger patches of rough pavement can easily upset the ride quality and create a lot of noise in the cabin. It isn't very well insulated from outside noise, and any wind gusts stronger than a light breeze are quite loud inside.

Interior

7/10

How’s the interior? Getting in and out of the C-HR is easy thanks to its elevated seating position. There's also plenty of headroom up front. The rear seats have enough room to keep regular-size adults in decent comfort, but the thick rear roof pillars might make them feel a little claustrophobic.

The C-HR's simple control layout is attractive, and the main controls are easy to operate for the most part. But some of the more advanced features such as the adaptive cruise control are a little more difficult to figure out. It's pretty easy to see out of the front of the C-HR, but those thick rear roof pillars obscure your view to the back.

Technology

7.5/10

How’s the tech? The C-HR comes with an 8-inch touchscreen that is simple to read and operate through the menus. It connects with both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto via smartphones, and an effective navigation system is available. The audio system provides decent clarity, but the sound quality, especially for songs with thumping bass, quickly degrades when the volume rises.

We're fans of the driver safety aids included in the Toyota Safety Sense 2.5 suite, which is standard on all C-HR models. The lane-keeping alert system can be overzealous in its warnings when you're driving on a twisty road, but it's otherwise helpful. The adaptive cruise control is very good at reducing driver fatigue in heavy traffic and can bring the vehicle down to a smooth stop.

Storage

6/10

How’s the storage? Storage space is tight inside the C-HR. Rear trunk space is about average for the class at 19 cubic feet. You can fold down the rear seats to access 37 cubic feet of capacity, but that figure ranks low compared to the competition. Space for small items is adequate up front, though the center console is only average size. The cupholders are on the small side and awkwardly positioned.

Planning to put kids in the back? Car seat anchors are positioned well, but there's little room to install a rear-facing child safety seat without moving the front seats forward. Overall the C-HR is compromised by its quirky shape and size, and Toyota did not bring any of its trademark smart storage solutions to the table.

Fuel Economy

7/10

How’s the fuel economy? The EPA estimates fuel economy at 29 mpg combined (27 city/31 highway), which is about average for the class. We found the rating accurate, and even exceeded it with an average of 33.9 mpg on our 115-mile mixed-driving evaluation route.

Value

7/10

Is the C-HR a good value? The C-HR offers solid build quality and distinctive materials for the class. We also like the amount of standard safety equipment Toyota includes and the two years of free scheduled maintenance. But the C-HR isn't as affordably priced as some value-minded competitors.

Wildcard

7.5/10

The distinctive styling alone earns Toyota points for bravery. Most people fall into one of two categories: They love the C-HR's design, or they hate it. Those who like it will find the rest of the vehicle filled with personality, from swooping dashboard lines to interesting trapezoid designs pressed into the ceiling. But just about everyone will find that the lack of power can sour the driving experience.

2021 Toyota C-HR trim level differences

The 2021 Toyota C-HR is available in four trim levels: LE, XLE, Nightshade and Limited. All C-HRs are powered by a four-cylinder engine that produces 144 horsepower. A continuously variable automatic transmission is standard, as is front-wheel drive. Unlike some other small crossover SUVs, all-wheel drive is unavailable on the C-HR. Compare the 2021 Toyota C-HR trim levels in-depth.

Which C-HR trim does Edmunds recommend?

We suggest going with the midlevel XLE trim. Compared to the base LE trim, you get keyless entry, blind-spot monitoring and larger alloy wheels for not much more money.

Cost to Drive

Monthly estimates based on costs in Virginia

$170/mo

$210/mo

Avg. Compact SUV

Calculate my fuel costs

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Reliability

The 2021 Toyota C-HR has a 3 years / 36,000 miles basic warranty and 1 recall. Below you’ll find our owner reviews.

Recalls

1 recall found

Checking if a car has a recall is simple. Just type the car's VIN number into the NHTSA website (https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls). If there's an unrepaired recall, you'll see it there.

If a recall shows up, just call your local car dealer. They'll know about the recall and will work with the car maker to fix it for free (if the recall happened within 10 years of the car being first sold).

Recall Number:: 22V107000
Manufacturer Recall Number:: 22TA02
Number of vehicles affected:: 36558
Defect Description:: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2021 C-HR vehicles. The radar sensor may not have been activated during production, making the pre-collision system (PCS) inoperative.
Defect Consequence:: An inoperative PCS that does not provide a malfunction indicator to the driver, or braking assist as expected, can increase the risk of a crash.
Corrective Action:: Dealers will inspect and activate the radar sensor as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 22, 2022. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is 22TA02.

Warranty

3 years / 36,000 miles Basic Warranty

Basic Warranty: 3 years / 36,000 miles
Drivetrain Warranty: 5 years / 60,000 miles
Rust Warranty: 5 years / unlimited miles
Roadside assistance Warranty: 2 years / unlimited miles
Free maintenance Warranty: 2 years / 25,000 miles

Toyota C-HR Reviews

Owner Reviews

4.5

40 reviews

5(77%)

4(10%)

3(5%)

2(0%)

1(8%)

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Most Helpful Owner Reviews

2021 C-HR Features & Specs

Trim:

MSRP (New) Excludes Destination Fee	$21,695
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	29 MPG
Cost to Drive	$170/month
Seating	5 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	19.1 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	front wheel drive
Warranty	3 years / 36,000 miles

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Safety

Our experts like the C-HR models:

Full-Range Dynamic Radar Cruise Control: Maintains a set distance between the C-HR and the car in front while cruise control is active. Can bring the C-HR to a complete stop.
Pre-Collision System: Warns the driver when it approaches an object in front too quickly. Automatically applies the brakes to prevent or reduce potential impacts.
Lane Departure Alert w/ Steering Assist: Alerts the driver if the C-HR wanders out of its lane and can make gentle steering corrections.

NHTSA Overall Rating

The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.

Frontal Barrier Crash Rating
Overall4 / 5
Driver4 / 5
Passenger4 / 5
Side Crash Rating
Overall5 / 5
Side Barrier Rating
Overall5 / 5
Driver5 / 5
Passenger5 / 5
Combined Side Barrier & Pole Ratings
Front Seat5 / 5
Back Seat5 / 5
Rollover
Rollover4 / 5
Dynamic Test ResultNo Tip
Risk Of Rollover14.3%

IIHS Rating

The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.

Small Overlap Front Driver-Side Test
Good
Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side Test
Good
Moderate Overlap Front Test – Original
Good
Moderate Overlap Front Test – Updated
Not Tested
Side Impact Test – Original
Good
Side Impact Test – Updated
Not Tested
Roof Strength Test
Good
Rear Crash Protection / Head Restraint
Good

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