Toyota C-HR 1.8 Hybrid review proves this crossover will give the Nissan Qashqai a headache

CHRISTMAS is now a distant memory for most Brits – but not in my house.

Long after the decorations were packed away and the bottles of bizarre booze given as gifts had been necked, the tree has been standing proud in the backyard.

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I was waiting until Toyota sent me the C-HR for appraisal.

Not just because its name spells out the first three letters of Christmas but because this is its new family wagon, a crossover that promises to give the Nissan Qashqai a headache.

Lugging the tree to the tip seemed an ideal introduction.

Like the Qashqai, despite its appearance in pictures, it isn’t exactly massive.

It is going to be a dream for the school run

My 4ft tree was a snug fit in the 377-litre boot. But that compact size makes it a doddle to drive.

This is a car that has been designed with the urban landscape in mind.

The steering is feather-light and it is as easily manoeuvred as a hatchback.

It is going to be a dream for the school run and the park assist makes it ideal for town dwellers.

The interior is ultra-modern and, for want of a better word, cool.

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Expanses of glossy, piano-black plastic house the 8in colour screen, which sits pretty in perfect eyeline on the top of the dash.

Having such a high position helps keep your eyes close to where they should be when driving, though it is still annoying to drive yet another car where almost every function runs from the touchscreen.

Soft-touch blue nappa leather enlivens the overall look. You can tell Toyota owns high-end Lexus, as the prestige influence can be felt throughout. The good looks continue with the exterior.

The Qashqai turned heads and won hearts when it arrived in 2006 with its outlandish ultra-modern design.

The C-HR is the first rival to offer such striking looks.

The model I drove was the 1.8-litre petrol hybrid. A 1.2-litre turbo is available, which makes more sense for driving purists.
It is the only engine that can be specced with AWD and delivers more pep. The hybrid lump is lifted straight from the Prius, making it mind-bendingly economical at 72mpg. But at times it feels gutless.

A CVT gearbox further optimises economy but boy, does it make a racket.

Heavy acceleration sounds like the engine is trying to make the car fly, not overtake a cyclist at 30mph.

The Qashqai genuinely has serious opposition here

In bottom spec, called Icon, the C-HR costs just a nudge over £20,000. With that, you get the all-singing, all-dancing infotainment system, plus aircon, but no satnav.

Introducing the credit card to the optional extras can add on lane assist, parking assist, heated seats, scrolling LEDs . . . it goes on.
To buy the C-HR bristling with all the latest tech will set you back around £30,000.

Toyota is a brand that attracts loyal fans. This car has been on the market for hardly any time at all but there is already a C-HR owners’ forum.

I can see why. It is the first Toyota in a long time to truly move the market on.

The Qashqai genuinely has serious opposition here.

It is a tech-savvy, good-value town car — small but also clever.