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Toyota C-HR Could Corner Better

7255 Views 22 Replies 14 Participants Last post by  mikesea


Carried over from the now dead Scion brand, the 2018 Toyota C-HR is a fun and comfortable little crossover that doesn’t corner all that well. At least that’s what Consumer Reports thinks in their latest review.

Its funky looks helps it stand out in the crowded crossover segment along with the plethora of features it comes standard with including the Toyota Safety Sense P driver assist and safety suite, 7-inch touchscreen, dual-zone climate control, soft touch materials and leather accents. This is just the basic XLE model, the Premium trim comes with even more equipment like heated seats, lane departure warning, etc.

On the road, Consumer Reports found the cabin to be quiet even when you step on the gas pedal hard and the C-HR’s engine gets loud and buzzy at over 4,000 rpms.

Additionally, the vehicle delivers a taught yet comfortable ride over bumpy roads. But that comfort comes at the cost of reducing its cornering abilities. The C-HR will go into corners confidently, but it lacks the steering response of a Mazda CX-3 and there’s a fair amount of lean if a corner is tackled too aggressively.

Perhaps in time, the aftermarket will provide owners with a solution to this problem.

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This isn't supposed to be a track vehicle.. it's just meant to be fun. If you want better corning capabilities,a few simple adjustments to the suspension like sway bars and the likes can tighten it up for you.
I'm not going to track the C-HR anytime soon, but it does make me question how aggressive they were with the corners because I don't like the feeling of a high sitting car leaning. I've been in plenty of SUVs and every time someone turns too fast, it scares me a little to feel one side shift.
I think the C-HR will perform adequately on daily dries and you really shouldn't be making turns that fast on public roads anyways. But is it's really a concern there are aftermarket options you can look into like sway bars.
In my view handling is a crucial safety feature in cases of emergency collision avoidance. You want to be able to control your vehicle to the best of your abilities not tempt fate. Cheers
Maybe the us market has another suspension setup?
The handling of the european models is very tight with minimal body roll.
I assume the suspension setup is uniform across the board as it'll cost too much to change key components for various markets. Could be down to the U.S. and European reviewers' personal preferences when it comes to body roll. With how many modded C-HR's we've already seen, we shouldn't have any problems finding aftermarket parts to change the car's drive dynamics.
For daily driving, you really shouldn't be worried about it feeling like it's going to tip because that would indicate some pretty aggressive driving which alone is a much larger safety issue.

If you plan on tracking it, then you already know modifications will need to be made regardless to get it to perform in any way "properly"
Coming from integra dc2's skyline etc etc Im having as much speed and confidence in the Chr as them on the road. In fact I feel like I can push it a bit more on the road than my rattly race machines.

Very shocked. Feels Planted to me.

I guess its going to be more skittish than a 3 ton Cadillac or what ever you drive mostly over there :)
That's kinda shocking that you feel more confidence in the C-HR than the DC2 and Skyline as those were pretty darn capable
That's kinda shocking that you feel more confidence in the C-HR than the DC2 and Skyline as those were pretty darn capable

Ah I did say on the road. Id never go balls out on a public highway. Just some late night back lane blasts. We have some good twisty a roads here in kent by the coast.

Oh course the track would be different.
I am sure a pair of Whiteline swaybars will improve cornering. Hope Whiteline add these soon to their program.
Have those on front and rear of my 2005 RAV4 and it corners like its lowered. It kept the comfort for 90%.
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Having driven BMWs for the last 9 years I was concerned about how the C-HR handled (tired of the cost of premium gas traded in my 2014 X3). When doing tight cornering the C-HR is not loose and is just a bit tight. I have not experienced sway to any concerning degree.
Agree with you on the C-HR being a good handling car. The rear end of my C-HR is more planted than my 135i. I've also driven various BMWs on the track over the years from 5 series, to X2s, to M3/M4 Competitions, M340i, i4 eDrive40/M50i, and the C-HR can hold its own....if only there was a decent engine to compliment the suspension.
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Coming from integra dc2's skyline etc etc Im having as much speed and confidence in the Chr as them on the road. In fact I feel like I can push it a bit more on the road than my rattly race machines.

Very shocked. Feels Planted to me.

I guess its going to be more skittish than a 3 ton Cadillac or what ever you drive mostly over there :)
I agree. All this engine and handing negative stuff is overdone in my opinion. Did anyone test drive the C-HR before purchasing?
I agree. All this engine and handing negative stuff is overdone in my opinion. Did anyone test drive the C-HR before purchasing?
I did and the test drive gave me the initial impressions that the engine isn't too bad. But I wasn't driving in heavy traffic either. That's why it's important to get opinions from long term owners as a few minute test drive doesn't reveal all the flaws of a car. Professional car reviews can bridge some of the gap as they have more time with the car and don't have a sales guy sitting in the passenger seat distracting you from doing a full on test drive.

When I test drove my BMW, the sales guy just tossed me the keys and said have fun.
I did and the test drive gave me the initial impressions that the engine isn't too bad. But I wasn't driving in heavy traffic either. That's why it's important to get opinions from long term owners as a few minute test drive doesn't reveal all the flaws of a car. Professional car reviews can bridge some of the gap as they have more time with the car and don't have a sales guy sitting in the passenger seat distracting you from doing a full on test drive.

When I test drove my BMW, the sales guy just tossed me the keys and said have fun.
I have had 3 bmws and the last had the twin turbo 6. I was tired of paying 5.70 per gallon and getting 23 miles per gallon. In my C-HR right close to 30 mpg. It is fun to drive and looks good inside and out. Have a good day...
I have had 3 bmws and the last had the twin turbo 6. I was tired of paying 5.70 per gallon and getting 23 miles per gallon. In my C-HR right close to 30 mpg. It is fun to drive and looks good inside and out. Have a good day...
Also took 40 minutes on city and interstate on my test drive.
I have had 3 bmws and the last had the twin turbo 6. I was tired of paying 5.70 per gallon and getting 23 miles per gallon. In my C-HR right close to 30 mpg. It is fun to drive and looks good inside and out. Have a good day...
Was this discussion about fuel economy? Show me any performance oriented vehicle that has fuel efficiency as one of its design criteria. I never said the C-HR wasn't a good handling car did I. It's just a joke with acceleration. Especially when you compare it to its competition. All of the other vehicles in its class out accelerate this car; the HR-V by 2 seconds from 0 to 60 with the same if not better fuel economy.

I've had 3 performance cars with the one prior being a 350 Chevy small block LT1 Z28 and my current 135i. I never moaned about fuel economy when I have any of these cars because I knew what I was getting into. Neither do I moan about the three motorcycles I own; two of them being BMWs (S1000RR and C650 Sport) and Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R. All of them take premium. Don't moan about that either.

Also took 40 minutes on city and interstate on my test drive.
Well, good for you.

Have a good day...
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Was this discussion about fuel economy? Show me any performance oriented vehicle that has fuel efficiency as one of its design criteria. I never said the C-HR wasn't a good handling car did I. It's just a joke with acceleration. Especially when you compare it to its competition. All of the other vehicles in its class out accelerate this car; the HR-V by 2 seconds from 0 to 60 with the same if not better fuel economy.

I've had 3 performance cars with the one prior being a 350 Chevy small block LT1 Z28 and my current 135i. I never moaned about fuel economy when I have any of these cars because I knew what I was getting into. Neither do I moan about the three motorcycles I own; two of them being BMWs (S1000RR and C650 Sport) and Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R. All of them take premium. Don't moan about that either.



Well, good for you.

Have a good day...
Thx for the reply. The car is just a good deal for milage and car makers do design some for milage. I also owned a Harley Sportster. I just did not have a "need for speed" when at the Toyota dealership. ;^}
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