The small SUV market has become a crowded space, filled with vehicles that often feel interchangeable. For years, buyers have favored higher riding positions and practicality over bold designs. Automakers responded by churning out nearly identical crossovers, prioritizing sensible features over memorable styling. However, some brands dared to break the mold. These quirky SUVs were initially overlooked but have aged surprisingly well, proving that standing out can be an advantage. The 2019-2022 Toyota C-HR is a prime example.
Why Quirky SUVs Matter
The small crossover segment is driven by logic: value, fuel efficiency, reliability, and safety are paramount. As a result, many automakers play it safe, aiming for broad appeal instead of radical designs. Bold styling can be risky, potentially alienating buyers who prefer familiar options. But in the long run, those distinctive vehicles can become more appealing, particularly on the used market, where character trumps conformity.
The Toyota C-HR: A Coupe-Like Rebel
When launched, the C-HR instantly differentiated itself with a sloping roofline, sharp body creases, and hidden rear door handles. This gave it a coupe-like silhouette in a segment dominated by upright, sensible designs. The C-HR was polarizing: some admired Toyota for taking a risk, while others dismissed it as awkward. Yet, it never blended in, and that is what makes it stand out today.
The C-HR also existed in the shadow of the RAV4, Toyota’s mainstream SUV choice. The RAV4 offered broader appeal and practicality, leaving the C-HR in a strange position: smaller, more design-focused, and harder to categorize. This made it easy for buyers to overlook, but those same qualities now make it more interesting.
Toyota Reliability Meets Distinct Style
Despite its unconventional looks, the C-HR retained Toyota’s core strengths: durability and reliability. Toyota’s engineering philosophy focuses on simplicity and longevity, avoiding unnecessary complexity. This translates to a lower risk of major mechanical issues in the used market, where dependability matters most. The C-HR’s powertrain is straightforward, with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 144 horsepower paired with a continuously variable transmission and front-wheel drive. It prioritizes efficiency over performance, achieving an EPA-estimated 27 city / 31 highway MPG.
Practicality Behind the Bold Design
The C-HR’s interior is more usable than its exterior suggests. The cabin layout is simple, with easy-to-understand controls and available Apple CarPlay on later models. Front seats are comfortable, and the raised driving position provides good visibility. Cargo space is decent for a coupe-like crossover, with a hatchback design adding flexibility.
However, there are trade-offs: rear visibility is limited due to thick pillars, and the rear seat can feel enclosed. Despite this, the C-HR still offers a distinctive design that feels fresh years later.
Why Buy One Now?
The Toyota C-HR represents an affordable, reliable, and unique option in the used market. Kelley Blue Book lists the 2020 C-HR’s used price range from $17,250 to $18,500, making it cheaper than many comparable Toyota SUVs. Its combination of distinctive styling, Toyota dependability, and reasonable running costs makes it an attractive choice for commuters, first-time buyers, and city drivers.
The C-HR was never the obvious pick, but that’s precisely why it deserves more credit now. In a segment built on safe designs, it dared to be different without sacrificing the everyday qualities that matter most. It’s less of a misstep and more of an underrated gem in Toyota’s lineup.
