Why did Toyota stop making the C-HR?

In brief, Toyota has largely shifted away from the C-HR in several key markets, favoring the Corolla Cross and other electrified crossovers. The model remains available in some regions, but its production and emphasis have waned as Toyota refines its global lineup.

What happened to the C-HR

The C-HR’s decline is tied to a broader corporate strategy: simplify the lineup, push profitable products, and accelerate electrification. Toyota has steered its subcompact-to-compact crossovers toward vehicles with higher demand, greater common parts across models, and stronger fuel economy/electrified options.

Several factors converged to shape the outcome for the C-HR:

• Sales performance: The C-HR never matched the volume of Toyota’s top crossovers, making it less attractive from a profitability standpoint in some markets.


• Product consolidation: Toyota aimed to reduce model redundancy by leaning into the Corolla Cross and other shared platforms.


• A pivot to electrification: The company prioritized hybrids and battery-electric models, favoring variants that could be built on common architectures.


• Regional market strategies: Availability and emphasis on the C-HR vary by region, with some markets continuing to offer updated versions while others discontinue it.


• Competition and consumer demand: The compact crossover segment grew crowded, and buyers increasingly favored more versatile or higher-efficiency options.

Taken together, these dynamics explain why Toyota reallocated resources away from the C-HR toward models it views as better aligned with current demand and long-term strategy.

Regional status of the C-HR

Regional deployments show a spectrum: some markets have phased out or limited the C-HR, while others continue to sell it alongside newer crossovers. The degree of availability often reflects local dealer strategies and national regulatory environments.

United States and Canada

In North America, Toyota significantly reduced the C-HR's presence as it shifted focus to the Corolla Cross and other crossovers. This reflects a broader move to simplify the lineup and prioritize higher-volume models in the region.

Current regional status notes:

• Availability has diminished in new-vehicle allocations in many years, with the Corolla Cross serving as the primary compact crossover option.


• Some dealers may still have existing stock or limited trims, but ongoing production and official new-model offerings have been reduced.


• The region exemplifies the global trend toward consolidating crossovers around a smaller number of core platforms.

Overall, the United States and Canada illustrate a move away from the C-HR toward more popular and scalable models.

Europe

European markets historically embraced the C-HR as a stylish, compact option, but demand has shifted as Toyota expanded hybrid and electrified options and leaned into the Corolla Cross family. Availability varies by country and calendar year, with some markets updating the C-HR while others scale back.

Regional notes:

• Some European markets continue to offer updated C-HR variants alongside other Toyota crossovers.


• Market-specific rollout and discontinuation dates have differed, reflecting local competition and regulatory considerations.


• Overall strategy in Europe aligns with the push toward standardized platforms and electrified drivetrains.

Europe shows a mixed picture: ongoing sales in some places, but with the C-HR no longer central to Toyota’s most aggressive crossovers in others.

Asia-Pacific and other regions

In Asia-Pacific and other regions, the C-HR’s lifecycle has followed regional demand patterns. Toyota continues to evaluate the model’s fit against local competition, fleet requirements, and electrification goals.

Regional considerations include:

• Continued availability in select markets with updates or refreshes as part of local product cycles.


• Competition from other Toyota crossovers and regional alternatives shaping the lineup.


• Strategic alignment with electrification timelines and shared-platform efficiency.

These markets illustrate that the C-HR’s fate is not uniform worldwide; it depends on local demand, manufacturing decisions, and the trajectory of electrified models.

What replaced the C-HR, or how it fits today

Toyota’s broader crossover strategy has leaned on the Corolla Cross and other members of the family that share platforms, components, and powertrains. The shift aims to improve efficiency, simplify production, and accelerate electrification across a core set of popular models.

In practice, this means:

• Corolla Cross takes on the role of a versatile, higher-volume compact crossover in many markets.


• Electrified options (hybrid and plug-in hybrid variants) receive priority in the compact-to-subcompact segment.


• Product planning emphasizes common parts and shared drivetrains to reduce costs and complexity.

In short, Toyota’s strategy focuses on what it considers the most market-relevant and scalable crossovers, with the C-HR increasingly positioned as a legacy or regionally limited offering rather than a global mainstay.

Summary

The decision to move away from the C-HR reflects Toyota’s broader aims: streamline its model lineup, prioritize high-demand, high-volume crossovers, and push electrified options. While the C-HR remains available in some regions or markets with ongoing updates, many of Toyota’s strategic bets in recent years have tilted toward the Corolla Cross and related platforms. The move underscores a shift from a niche stylish compact to a standardized, electrified slate designed to meet evolving global demand.

Why did Toyota discontinue the C-HR?

Toyota discontinued the C-HR in North America after the 2022 model year because the more popular Corolla Cross and RAV4 were taking its place in the subcompact and compact SUV segments. The C-HR had lower sales compared to competitors and its distinctive styling led to compromised rear seat space and cargo area. 
Reasons for discontinuation

• Competition and sales: The Corolla Cross was a more popular and successful model for Toyota, making the C-HR redundant. Sales for the C-HR had decreased, while the Corolla Cross sold significantly better. 
• Lack of utility: The C-HR's exterior design negatively impacted interior space, resulting in cramped rear seats and a small cargo area, which many buyers found impractical. 
• Performance: The C-HR was available with only front-wheel drive and a less powerful 144-horsepower engine, which put it at a disadvantage compared to competitors that offered all-wheel drive and more powerful engine options. 
• Strategic shift: Toyota decided to focus on the Corolla Cross, a more conventional and utility-focused SUV, to better compete in the subcompact segment. 

The C-HR's future

• The C-HR is being discontinued in the U.S. and Canada but will continue to be sold in other markets, such as Europe. 
• A new, all-electric version of the C-HR is expected to launch for the 2026 model year, specifically targeting the European market. 

Is Toyota bringing back the C-HR?

Yes, Toyota is bringing back the C-HR for the 2026 model year, but it is an all-new, all-electric model. The 2026 C-HR will have a new design, a battery-electric powertrain with up to 338 horsepower, and a manufacturer-estimated range of around 290 miles.
 
Key features of the 2026 C-HR

• All-electric powertrain: The vehicle will be fully electric, with a combined output of 338 horsepower and standard all-wheel drive. 
• Range and charging: It is estimated to have a 290-mile all-electric range and can charge from 10% to 80% in about 30 minutes at a DC fast charger. It also features the North American Charging System (NACS) port and plug-and-charge technology. 
• Performance: It is designed with a performance-inspired spirit, with a manufacturer-estimated 0-60 mph time of around 5 seconds. 
• Design: The exterior has a coupe-like style with a new, eye-catching design and comes in sporty SE and XSSE trim levels. 
• Technology: The interior will feature a 14-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a 7-inch digital driver display, and two wireless charging pads. 
• Safety: It comes standard with Toyota Safety Sense, which includes pre-collision braking and adaptive cruise control, with other features like traffic jam assist and lane changing assist available. 

Which year C-HR to avoid?

The main year to avoid is the 2018 Toyota C-HR, particularly the North American CVT models, due to a higher frequency of complaints about the continuously variable transmission (CVT). Other issues across various years include problems with tire pressure sensors, the 12-volt battery, and infotainment system connectivity, along with blind spot limitations. 
2018 Toyota C-HR 

• Transmission problems: The 2018 model year has the highest number of complaints related to the CVT, with owners reporting issues like loud whining or grinding noises. The problem is reportedly due to a faulty bearing, and while the part is inexpensive, the fix is often the replacement of the entire transmission unit. 
• Other issues: In addition to transmission problems, the 2018 model also sees more complaints about faulty tire pressure sensors, wheel bearings, and other electrical issues. 

Other potential years to be cautious of

• 2017-2023 (General issues): Across these years, owners have reported recurring minor electrical issues like faulty warning lights and sensor malfunctions, such as tire pressure sensors. 
• 2020: Some owners of the 2020 model have reported issues with rear windows cracking or shattering. 
• Early models (2016-2018): Early production models can have issues with noisy shock absorbers and blurry welcome holograms in the mirrors, though these were typically corrected under warranty. 

How to choose a good model

• Check the vehicle history: Before buying any used C-HR, check its maintenance records and history, especially for the 2018 model, to see if the transmission has been replaced or serviced. 
• Inspect for known issues: If possible, have the car inspected by a mechanic and check for the specific issues mentioned above, such as the tire pressure sensor and battery. 
• Consider other years: If you're looking for a used model, years outside of 2018 generally have fewer major complaints. 
• Hybrid vs. gasoline: Hybrid versions of the C-HR are generally reliable, but some hybrid models have been known to have issues with the engine oil level rising above the maximum mark. 

What is the common issue with Toyota C-HR?

Common problems reported for the Toyota C-HR include issues with the CVT transmission in earlier models (2018), problems with the 12-volt battery and charging system, electrical gremlins like faulty warning lights, and paint-related concerns. Other less frequent issues include blind spot limitations, infotainment system glitches, and potential wear on interior materials.
 
You can watch this video to learn more about the common problems with Toyota C-HR: 58sReDrivenYouTube · Oct 29, 2023
Powertrain and engine 

• CVT transmission: Some 2018 models have reported noisy, grinding, or humming sounds, potentially due to a faulty final drive bearing. The fix can be expensive, as it may require replacing the entire transmission unit. 
• 12-volt battery: The 12-volt battery can have issues, sometimes due to its small capacity and being drained by electronics. This can cause starting problems, even though it's not a major engine failure. 
• Engine: In some cases, the engine oil level may rise above the maximum mark, though this is reportedly not a safety issue. 

Electrical and electronic systems 

• TPMS sensors: A common issue is the failure of the Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) sensors. 
• Electrical gremlins: Other electrical problems can include faulty warning lights, general sensor malfunctions, and connectivity issues with the infotainment system. 
• Pre-Collision System (PCS): The warning light may activate frequently in rainy or snowy conditions, but the system usually resolves itself once it dries. 

Body and interior

• Paint: Some owners have reported issues with paint, especially on white models.
• Interior wear: The leather on the steering wheel, gear knob, and seats can show wear over time.
• Rear windows: Some 2020 models have experienced rear window cracking or shattering.
• Blind spot: Due to the design of the C-HR, visibility is limited, which can make lane changes challenging and create a blind spot. 

Suspension

• Shock absorbers: Early models sometimes had noisy shock absorbers. 
• Suspension components: Owners have reported premature wear on some suspension components.