Driving Toyota’s compact hybrid CH-R SUV, CH-R standing for Coupe High Rider. I’m driving the mid-spec CH-R Koba combining a 1.8-litre four-cylinder petrol engine with a single electric motor for a combined power output of 103kW and 142 Nm in torque – a front wheel drive with a CVT transmission – rather expensive at $49,990 plus on-road costs. As I said earlier the styling is somewhat quirky, different and you either like it or hate it. Toyota’s move to hybrid power across all of its passenger vehicles has been enormously successful – their fifth generation series-parallel hybrid system means either the petrol engine or electric motor can provide drive to the front wheels with the onboard computer deciding what’s best in any given situation. There’s three selectable drive modes, Eco, Power and Sport, but even in the latter the performance is not what you would call rewarding and the CH-R Koba is far from a fire breather. Good economy though and I managed 4.6L/100km with mainly city driving and on 91 octane petrol. There’s much to like with the Toyota CH-R Koba hybrid SUV, it makes a statement but there’s some better compact hybrid SUVs in the market and the price will make many buyers think twice. I’m David Berthon.

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