Toyota C-HR SUV (2017 - 2023) Icon 1.8 Hybrid FWD auto 5d Owner Review

Grandkids told me off for owning a diesel. Quite right too, they are indeed toxic as the recent VW scandals revealed. Mind you who didnt realise this anyway. I had a lovely diesel Qashqai let down by awful dealer and Nissan who didnt give a toss so i told them to shove it and got this instead. Firstly it AINT no Qashqai in size, despite the claims. Its more a Focus/Nissan Juke size. Back seating is awful, and windows too high but grandkids dont complain much. Bootspace likewise, rubbish. Very stylish outside but clearly computer designed inside as everything is form over function. Little storage space inside. Dab radio is total rubbish and heating doesnt seem overtly hot. That said she drives nice and nippy when required, but even though it has an 18cc lump as well as electric it aint as quick as a focus. The CVT gearbox is amazingly relaxed as a plodder. Put your foot odwn and all hell breaks lose, revs go crazy and it doesnt actually seem to move much initially. All noise and no go. Once up and running its great. But this vehicle is a plodder by definition. if you wanna save the planet plod along and she'll do you proud. 60+ MPG mixed usage, but constant motorway is least economical. Otherwise the electric kicks in and out and so does the engine breaking and saves a fortune. My 1.8 petrol focus could only manage 38mpg driven carefully. Head unit is poorly utilised and the satnav option at £800+ is a real step back in time, not to mention a scandalous ripoff. I use a perfectly good Garmin on a cushion set behind the screen atop and it works a treat. Parking sensors are cheapies best, another ripoff at toyota of £550+. Rear camera is nice (Qashqai had all round cameras, ace) but in wrong place so gets dirty very quickly. Safety features are ace, such as collision detection. Also has radar adaptive cruise control which is a real treat,but dont take anything for granted or it will bite you. You can adjust it to various distances but they dont work that well and often leave you braking in panic cos it aint gonna slow down. Auto main beam is average. No folding mirrors either, unless you want to pay + £400. All in all a nice car, expensive and ripoff extras but it is progress and we need to start saving the planet now. I look forward to all electric cars with passion. Aged 58 and loving it.