Toyota’s second-gen C-HR has finally grown into the stylish, “electrified” small SUV it always wanted to be. Gone is the awkward frog-face, replaced by a sharp, crisp mask, while keeping the coupe-like lines. The cabin tries to feel expensive enough to justify the price tag — which now starts at $49,956 drive-away for the GXL, $57,251 for the Koba, and $62,700 for the GR Sport. Yes, that’s small luxury SUV money, but Toyota is clearly banking on buyers wanting polish over power.
Under the bonnet, you get a choice of two slightly under-powered petrol-electric hybrids: a 1.8-litre FWD system with 103 kW and 142 Nm, or a 2.0-litre AWD setup with 146 kW and 188 Nm. C-HR deserves more, but there you go. Both are paired with Toyota’s e-CVT. It’s planetary gears are as smooth as satin sheets, but about as exciting as a Tuesday night in Parramatta. At least the awful elesatic band feeling is gone.
It’s quiet-ish, refined-ish, and frugal-ish — Toyota claims 3.8–4.2 L/100 km, but we averaged 5.6 L/100 km, which is still OK for a small SUV that spent most of its life crawling through city traffic.
The Koba trim sits neatly in the middle of the lineup, with 18-inch alloys, suede/fabric heated seats, and dual 12.3-inch screens with wireless CarPlay/Android Auto. It feels genuinely modern, right down to the ambient lighting and crisp, uncluttered interface. It looks good but eschews the ultra-minimal cabin of the Tesla Model Y which has the same RRP as C-HR Koba’s drive-away. That is food for thought.
The firm ride remains beautifully composed thanks to the GA-C platform and double-wishbone rear suspension, which soak up Sydney’s scarred tarmac with a degree of finesse.
But not everything sparkles. Rear passengers a mere fist of legroom, so it’s a squeeze if your friends are tall or built like tradies. The boot is about 400 L, which will swallow a weekend’s worth of bags, but not much else. The hybrid drivetrain is tuned for serenity, not speed — plant your right foot and it groans like you’ve just woken it from a deep nap. It feels slow, slow, slow.
Above: This Week’s VIDEO Review – 2025 Toyota C-HR Koba – Value for money or not?
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ABOVE: 2025 Toyota C-HR
Value for Money
Here’s where things get tricky. For $57K drive-away, the C-HR Koba Hybrid parks itself in a segment where other small SUVs — or even entry-level EVs (tesla included) — make a stronger case. It’s undeniably stylish, impeccably finished, and sips fuel like it’s paying for it, but it’s not cheap.
The Corolla Cross Hybrid, for example, starts lower and offers more space with almost identical hybrid efficiency. Meanwhile, Honda’s HR-V e:HEV undercuts it by nearly $20K, delivering usable room and solid hybrid cred without the price shock.
If you’re paying extra for looks and that “designer Toyota” vibe, you’ll be happy. But if your idea of value includes space or bang-for-buck, you’ll start glancing at other showrooms.
Competitor Comparison
| Model | Drive-away Price (AU) | Power/Drivetrain | Claimed Fuel Economy | What It Offers / What You Lose |
| Toyota C-HR Koba Hybrid | $57,251 | 1.8L hybrid FWD (103 kW/142 Nm) | 3.8-4.2 L/100km (we got 5.6) | Stylish, tech-rich, but tight rear space and expensive for size. |
| Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid | $47K–$52K | 2.0L hybrid (up to 146 kW) | 4.2-4.4 L/100km | More space, similar hybrid tech, better practicality for the money. |
| Honda HR-V e:HEV | $39,900 | 1.5L hybrid (96 kW) | 6.2 L/100km | Affordable hybrid entry, less power but good usability and value. |
Verdict: If you’re chasing style and polish, the C-HR Koba is your pick. If you’re chasing sense, the Corolla Cross or HR-V will do the same job for less coin.
EV Alternatives to Consider
And then there’s the elephant — or rather, the plug — in the room. Full EVs are now cheaper than the C-HR Koba Hybrid.
| Model | Drive-away (Approx.) | Range (WLTP) | Highlights |
| BYD Dolphin Dynamic | $29,990 | 340 km | Funky, zippy, cheap to run — proper city EV on a budget. |
| GWM Ora | $33,990 | 310 km | Retro looks, quiet drive, and half the price of the Toyota. |
| MG 4 Excite 51 | $39,990 | 350 km | Sharp handling, roomy cabin, and zero fuel stops. |
So yes — Toyota’s chic little hybrid looks good and drinks lightly, but when full EVs start nearly $20K less, the “value” equation starts to wobble. You’re not paying for cutting-edge tech anymore; you’re paying for Toyota’s badge, reliability, and that sharp design.
Full Specification Table
| Spec | Detail |
| Model Tested | 2025 Toyota C-HR Koba Hybrid |
| Platform | Toyota GA-C |
| Engine/Driveline | 1.8L 4-cyl hybrid FWD / 2.0L 4-cyl hybrid AWD |
| Power/Torque | 103 kW / 142 Nm (1.8L) • 146 kW / 188 Nm (2.0L) |
| Transmission | e-CVT (planetary gear system) |
| Fuel Economy (Claimed) | 3.8–4.2 L/100 km |
| Fuel Economy (Tested) | 5.6 L/100 km |
| Drive Type | FWD (tested) – AWD available |
| Suspension | MacPherson Strut (front), Double Wishbone (rear) |
| Brakes | Ventilated Front / Solid Rear Discs |
| Steering | Electric Power-Assisted |
| Price (Drive-away) | GXL $49,956 • Koba $57,251 • GR Sport $62,700 |
| Wheels | 18-inch Alloy |
| Infotainment | Dual 12.3″ Screens, Wireless CarPlay/Android Auto |
| Seats | Suede/Fabric with Heating (Koba) |
| Boot Capacity | Approx. 400 L |
| Safety/ADAS | Toyota Safety Sense with Adaptive Cruise, Lane Trace, AEB |
| Warranty | 5 years / Unlimited km |
Final Thoughts
The 2025 Toyota C-HR Koba Hybrid is a fashion statement wrapped in hybrid logic. It’s fairly handsome, quiet, and efficient — the sort of car that looks great parked at a café in Newtown or loaded with groceries in Marrickville. But it’s also expensive, cramped in the back, and no longer the automatic “smart buy” it used to be.
If you’re seduced by the looks and don’t mind the price tag, you’ll love it. But if you’re thinking with your wallet — or your conscience — there are cheaper hybrids and even cheaper EVs that’ll make you wonder why you’re still paying for petrol at all.
Other GayCarBoys Toyota Stories:
- Sexy Men Drive 2021 Toyota Yaris Cross
- Toyota Landcruiser VX: King of the Load
- LandCruiser Sahara: Your limo to the wild awaits.
- 2019 Toyota Hilux Rugged X Review, Road Test, and video.
- 2020 Toyota Corolla Hybrid Sedan – Body in the Boot
- 2020 Toyota Corolla and its Gadgets are great
- 2019 Toyota Corolla Video Launch Review Gaycarboys
- 2019 Toyota Corolla hatch Driven at Launch Review
- 2019 Toyota Corolla Hatch Specifications
- 2018 Toyota Corolla ZR Review
- 2019 Toyota Corolla hatch Driven at Launch Review
SHORT Video Review: Lexus LC500 Convertible Roof operation. Mesmerising. Sorry about the rubbish background
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