2021 Toyota C-HR gets safety boost

Following the polarising pricing and specs announcement for the all-new Yaris, Toyota’s entry-level crossover has been given a substantial upgrade for a nominal price increase.

Toyota Australia has bolstered the standard safety suite of the C-HR, making it one of the class leaders in the realm of assistance technology.

The smallest SUV in the Toyota stable (for now) has been upgraded with some high-tech safety features, bringing it more in line with the new Yaris and mechanically related Corolla.

All versions now come standard with an enhanced autonomous emergency braking system which features night-time pedestrian detection and daytime cyclist detection, as well as the ability to brake when turning at intersections to avoid oncoming vehicles or pedestrians crossing the road.

Next is a new Emergency Steering Assist (ESA) function which will “help maintain stability and help prevent the vehicle swerving into another lane during an emergency steering manoeuvre”.

Further enhancements include Lane Trace Assist, a development over the previous lane departure warning system by keeping the C-HR in the centre of its lane by detecting “boundary lines between the road and adjacent grass, soil or kerb”.

All versions of the C-HR also come equipped with a new road sign assist system that detects speed limit changes that can be used to reset the vehicle’s cruise control setting.

Finally, C-HR Koba models now get rear cross-traffic AEB that applies to brakes if it detects an imminent collision with a stationary or moving object.

Beyond the safety upgrades, the entry-level C-HR is now called the C-HR GXL, and picks up keyless entry with push-button start as standard equipment.

The equipment upgrades come with minor price rises of up to $1400 depending on variant.