Toyota’s Next Hybrid: The C-HR Compact Crossover Concept

The compact crossover. America’s answer to the gas-guzzling SUV stereotype. As this segment has grown in popularity, manufacturers have been scrambling to design and release crossovers before the end of 2015 to appease the masses, but Toyota has been patient. Slowly they’ve chipped away at the design of their compact crossover and soon it will be ready for production. Introducing the Toyota C-HR Concept.

The C-HR is visually one of the more unique vehicles we’ve seen from Toyota. Inspired by the appearance of sculpted and shaped gemstones, the C-HR is sure to be turning heads no matter where it goes. The C-HR is reportedly a hybrid vehicle that will be built upon Toyota’s New Global Architecture (TNGA) vehicle platform as shown below.

Toyota has yet to release any information on the powertrain options, but we think it’s safe to say it will be faster than a Prius. Crossovers are meant to be sporty, and Toyota knows it’s competing with crossovers like the Juke, the CX-3, and the Renegade. This leads us to believe that the C-HR will be a spunky compact crossover with ample storage and a reasonable carbon footprint.

As it stands, the C-HR is the first hybrid to enter the compact crossover sphere. It’s an addition that is sure to be followed by other manufacturers and will give consumers a more compact and utilitarian hybrid. We would love to see a fully electric C-HR for the extra boost in torque and efficiency, or even a hydrogen fuel cell version like the Toyota Mirai.

Until we have more information on the C-HR, we can’t really say how well it stacks up to the competitors. What we know for sure is that the hybrid is sure to impress on efficiency, and the appearance is definitely striking. If you’re interested in hearing more about the C-HR or any of our vehicles, be sure to swing by the dealership to take a look. You can also give us a call, or follow us on Facebook and Twitter. We appreciate your feedback and comments, so feel free to leave us a note.