Toyota is hoping to successfully break into the compact SUV market in Thailand with the awesome-looking C-HR crossover.

The C-HR made its debut at the Motor Expo last year and attracted over 3,000 interested customers. This is a major model from Toyota, with total sales hitting over 280,000 units in 51 countries in 2017, while also being one of the top five best-selling vehicles in Europe last year.

The C-HR is based on Toyota’s new TNGA (Toyota New Global Architecture) that gives it a totally new character when compared to older generations.

The C-HR is priced from Bt979,000 for the entry-level 1.8-litre model, to Bt1.159 million for the HV Hi flagship hybrid model featured this week.

In terms of design, the C-HR really stands out with its futuristic exterior styling that evokes concept vehicles seen at motor shows. The interior design is equally stylish, but the quality of the materials and the final touches aren’t best-in-class, trailing behind rivals such as the Honda HR-V and Mazda CX-3.

Meanwhile, the C-HR features Toyota’s 4th-gen hybrid system that is smaller but still capable of storing more electricity with better heat dispersion, durability and fuel economy.

A 1.8-litre Atkinson-cycle engine rated at 98hp is mated to a 72-hp electric motor to deliver a combined 122 horsepower.

Toyota claims that fuel economy has been improved dramatically with the new system, at 24.4km/litre average. The nickel metal hydride battery pack (rather than the more expensive lithium-ion battery used by other hybrid manufacturers) is stored under the rear-seat cushion to give more luggage space. Unfortunately the C-HR isn’t available with a plugin version (as yet) and, although there’s an EV button, you’re not going to get very far on pure electric power alone. The 10 kilometres offered would be good enough for “we’re out of bread” trips.

There have been many media test drive events for the C-HR since its official launch in Thailand, but mine was held in Chiang Mai just last week. Chiang Mai is a great place to drive and experience the major improvements that come with the TNGA platform. The low centre of gravity, high body rigidity and precise steering, along with no-nonsense body control, provides C-HR drivers with a pretty high level of driving enjoyment when travelling the winding mountain roads heading up to Chiang Mai’s Samoeng district.

Those driving the C-HR for the first time will be impressed with the new handling character offered by the TNGA platform. The ride feels much more solid that previous Toyota models, and the beefy steering adds to the fun. The front strut and rear double wishbone suspension (the latter not common for a Toyota) provides good road-holding, with 215/60 tyres offering good cornering grip as well.

The hybrid powertrain with e-CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission) provides quick response and reasonably good acceleration – 0-100kph takes roughly 11 seconds and the top speed is about 170kph.

Good features

There’s an EV button right below the gearshift lever – when engaged it offers up to 10 kilometres of pure electric drive. Once the battery runs out, the E85-compatible engine automatically restarts and continues to propel the C-HR.

The C-HR also comes with a good array of features. For safety, there’s a full TSS (Toyota Safety System) package consisting of a pre-collision system that warns the driver of a possible collision, dynamic radar cruise control that maintains the correct distance between you and the vehicle in front, and lane departure alert with a slight steering assist that warns rather than startles you.

Another highlight in the C-HR is Toyota T-Connect Telematics that connects to smartphones and even the Apple watch, in addition to offering travel information, navigation system, 24-hour operator emergency service, vehicle locator (in case of theft), and wifi hotspot. The C-HR gets full LED adaptive headlamps, sequential LED turning lights, LED welcome lamps at the sideview mirrors, smart entry, auto brake hold function, dual-zone climate control, split-foldable rear seat backrest (luggage area is not one of its strengths) and powered windows with anti-pinch function on all four doors (all auto for both up and down, too).

Meanwhile, the warranty for the C-HR is five years/150,000km while the Hybrid Package warranty covers 10 years for the battery and five years for hybrid components. For customers who worry about the resale value of hybrid vehicles, Toyota offers GFV (Guarantee Future Value) within the first five years at Toyota Sure used car centres in the country.

In conclusion, I would say that although the C-HR is not perfect, the improvements that can be seen are remarkable, particularly for a brand like Toyota that can sometimes find it hard to make everyone happy due to the large number of customers around the world.

The C-HR is a great example of how Toyota is making its products more attractive and more complete. Being the only hybrid model in its segment is another bonus, although a plugin hybrid version would be more up to date in the fast-changing world of automobiles.

Toyota C-HR HV Hi specs

Engine: 4-cylinder DOHC 16-valve

Displacement: 1,798cc

Bore and stroke: 80.5×88.3mm

Compression ratio: 13.0:1

Max power: 98ps/5,200rpm

Max torque: 142Nm/3,600rpm

Electric motor: 600V permanent magnet synchronous

Max power: 53kW

Max torque: 163Nm

Combined max power (engine+motor): 122ps

Combined max torque: n/a

Battery: nickel metal hydride

Modules: 28

Voltage: 201.6V

Capacity: 6.5Ah

Transmission: e-CVT

Ratios: n/a

Final drive ratio: 3.218

0-100kmh: approx. 11 seconds

Top speed: approx. 170 km/h

Average fuel economy: 24.4km/litre

Average CO2: 100g/km

Suspension (f/r): McPherson strut, stabiliser/double wishbone, stabiliser

Steering: electrically-powered rack-and-pinion

Turning circle: 10.4m

Brakes (f/r): vented disc/disc

Dimensions (mm)

Length: 4,360

Width: 1,795

Height: 1,565

Wheelbase: 2,640

Track (f/r): /1,550/1,570

Weight: approx. 1,455kgs

Wheels: 17-in alloy

Tyres: 215/60R17

Fuel tank capacity: 43 litres

Price: Bt1.159 million

Distributor: Toyota Motor (Thailand) Co Ltd

According to organiser Grand Prix International, more than 5,900 orders were also placed for motorcycles.

In total, as many as 1.62 million visitors came to the event, which kicked off on March 29.

Jaturont Komolmis, the company’s chief operating officer, said auto sales at the show had risen by 18 per cent this year, while motorcycle sales had doubled from the previous year.

“We had a large number of visitors and many electric-vehicle brands made their debuts this year,” he said.

Toyota was the top auto-seller at the show with 5,689 orders, followed by Honda with 5,133, Mazda with 5,021, Isuzu with 3,920 and Mercedes-Benz with 2,297.

In the motorcycle department, Honda was the top brand with 2,628 orders placed, followed by Yamaha with 737 and Kawasaki with 554.

The ZS comes with the world’s first Thai-language voice-control technology and allows users to connect to the Internet as well as locate the vehicle in case of theft.

Prices range from Bt679,000 to Bt789,000.

MG Sales Thailand plans to sell 12,000 units of the ZS annually.

The concept, named Oxygene, features living moss growing within the sidewall.

The open structure and the tyre’s “smart tread” design absorb and circulate moisture and water from the road surface, allowing photosynthesis to occur and therefore releasing oxygen into the air.

“With more than two-thirds of the world population expected to live in cities by 2050, the demands on transport networks in urban environments will increase substantially,” said Chris Delaney, president of Goodyear Europe for the Middle East and Africa.

“Smarter, greener infrastructure and transport will be crucial in addressing the most pressing challenges of urban mobility and development.”

Inspired by the principles of the circular economy, with emphasis on reducing material waste, emissions, and energy loss, Goodyear’s Oxygene concept is designed to integrate seamlessly into future cityscapes.

“Oxygene is meant to challenge our thinking and help drive the debate around smart, safe and sustainable future mobility,” Delaney said. “By contributing in this way to cleaner air generation, the tire could help enhance quality of life and health for city-dwellers.”

The annual skills contest is “one of our core programs of people development for our dealerships apart from the regular knowledge and skill training programmes,” said Morikazu Chokki, president and CEO of Mitsubishi Motors (Thailand) Co Ltd.

Valuing customers is a key mission of the company, said Chokki, leading to “an emphasis on [employee] development and recognition among our dealer network nationwide, as the staff play a crucial role to directly provide support, troubleshooting, and satisfaction to Mitsubishi’s customers.”

The 18th Mitsubishi Motors Skills Contest 2017 was designed for six professional functions – sales consultant, customer relations, technician troubleshooting, technician periodic maintenance, service advice and parts.

This year, Mitsubishi Motors Thailand for the first time brought more intensive assessment to the sales consultant and customer relations functions with an online pre-test prior to the regional and final rounds.

More than 1,700 contestants from Mitsubishi dealer network nationwide participated in the skills contests.

The company also holds an annual competition for students under the Vocational School Support Project (VSSP) to provide educational and career opportunities to vocational programme students.

Jaturont Komolmis, chairman of the organising committee, said on Monday that all used vehicles on display for sale had been thoroughly inspected and screened for quality.

“We are also raising the standard of the used-car show to the international level, by offering warranties and sales promotions matching those of new cars,” he added.

A total of 14 used-car dealers are participating in the event, which kicked off today.

The main Motor Show started on March 28.

Nissan said the free inspection service by skilled technicians is offered through its dealers nationwide and supports the Department of Land Transport’s Anti Road Accident campaign.

Nissan customers can visit any of the almost 200 Nissan service center outlets between April 1 and May 31, 2018 to receive the free vehicle inspection.

Wallop Chalermvongsavej, the company’s vice president for after sales, said registration fee for the A1, A2, A3, A4, Q2 and Q3 models is Bt20,000, while for the A5, A6, A7, Q4, Q5 and TT the fee is Bt50,000.

A fee of Bt100,000 is required for the Q7, A8, Q8, R8 and all S and RS models.

“Apart from quicker service due to the database, the vehicles will also get a free 40-item inspection as well as all software updates,” he said.

The original warranty of the vehicles are not affected, he said.