When I got the invitation from Toyota to drive the C-HR and its raced-out R-Tuned sibling on track at Willow Springs Raceway, I couldn’t help but jump on the offer, even if it meant getting up well before dawn to make the drive from BMW Test Fest in Palm Springs.
Before we could get into the hot 600-hp racing-spec C-HR, we first eased into our day at the track wheeling the pedestrian CH-R XLE and XLE Premium around Streets of Willow. It made for a great learner vehicle—the 144-hp 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine makes peak power deep in the powerband at 6,100 rpm. We were able to get the small crossover up to a decent chuff but still have enough time between turns to take instruction from Toyota’s racing drivers.
The road-going Toyota C-HR was the slowest car our friends at Motor Trend tested in 2017, taking an agonizing 10.8 seconds to accelerate from 0-60 mph—and I had already experienced the compact crossover’s glacial pace firsthand a few months ago. However, I found the C-HR made up for it lack of pace with great chassis control and steering feel—for a crossover.
When it comes time to take a turn, the C-HR handles with remarkable poise. There’s little perceptible lean in the corner and chassis remains easy to control even as the skinnier tires neared their limit. It wasn’t hard to keep the engine humming in its sweet spot as I kept the momentum up through the track. Read more »