The Japanese brand has continued its model assault with the introduction of a new top-spec C-HR along with the updated Aygo. I had a chance to drive these newcomers in Johannesburg recently.

C-HR now better specified

I remember driving the C-HR in 2017 and, to be honest, I didn’t exactly think that the car was lacking specification; it pretty much had all of the basics covered. But for those looking for a C-HR with all of the modern creature comforts, Toyota has now released the Luxury specification.

The new features include the addition of satellite navigation and a reverse camera to the colour touchscreen infotainment system, textured (heated) leather seats, leather trim on the dashboard, LED headlights, keyless entry with push-button stop/start, additional curtain and driver’s knee airbags, electric folding mirrors, Park Distance Control and Intelligent Parking Assist.

There’s also a bi-tone paint finish which is either a black roof and choice of six body colours, or a white roof with a black body, while the taillamps now feature a smoked finish. If anything, the opportunity to drive the C-HR again was refreshing. It is a seriously good product which not only looks completely outlandish from such a conservative brand, but also feels completely different from other Toyota models sold locally.

It’s the refinement and general fit-and-finish which impresses the most. The 85kW/185Nm 1.2-litre turbo petrol motor whispers away, and despite my deep-seated dislike for CVT gearboxes, if driven with restraint, the ‘box, which is the only option on the C-HR Luxury spec, is actually quite pleasant.

The latest range-topper is certainly not cheap, coming in a R422 100, some R45 100 more than the Plus auto, but Toyota being Toyota, I’m sure this model is the result of customer feedback, meaning that there will be a demand for this particular variant.

Updated Aygo

Toyota’s cute city car, the Aygo, has received a raft of updates and a few additions to its standard specification sheet. The biggest change is certainly the increased emphasis placed on the x-motif on the front-end, which now sports refreshed headlights with LED daytime running lights, a redesigned front bumper and a black lower apron which allows the Aygo to now resemble its larger siblings.

The interior is very much the same as the outgoing model, but Toyota has added Hill Assist Control, colour-coded bumpers, and Vehicle Stability Control to all models. While on the topic of models, there are four within the range; the unbadged base model, the X-Play Black (red body, black roof), X-Play Silver (black body, silver roof) and the top-spec X-Cite which features a folding canvas roof.

Out on the road, I had a chance to cruise around the streets of Johannesburg in the little Aygo, which is has had its tiny 1.0-litre three-cylinder naturally aspirated motor retuned to produce 53kW/93Nm, two kilowatts more but two newton metres down on the outgoing Aygo. The little engine, in combination with the five-speed manual gearbox, is good for a 0-100km/h time of 13.8 seconds and a claimed fuel consumption of 4.3-litres/100km.

I would be lying if I told you that it was possible to feel the minor tweaks made to the motor, but if anything, the drive allowed me to reacquaint myself with what is essentially a very good budget car that’s firmly targeted at a younger audience. This is evident in the funky styling, youthful interior and emphasis on in-car connectivity with your smartphone thanks to the colour touchscreen infotainment system.

Service plan and warranty

Both the Aygo and C-HR range comes with a three-year/100 000km warranty while the C-HR benefits from a six-year/90 000km service plan and the Aygo’s service plan is an optional extra.

Pricing

Aygo

Aygo - R166 800

Aygo X-Play Black - R169 100

Aygo X-Play Silver - R169 100

Aygo X-Cite - R193 100

C-HR

C-HR 1.2T - R336 000

C-HR 1.2T Plus - R365 500

C-HR 1.2T Plus CVT - R377 000

C-HR 1.2T Luxury CVT - R422 100