Toyota C-HR line-up grows in Japan with ‘safer’ new variants

Toyota recently elected to expand the C-HR compact crossover range in its home market of Japan, and it sees the introduction of two new variants dubbed the G ‘Mode-Nero Safety Plus III’ and GT ‘Mode-Nero Safety Plus III.’

Based on the existing C-HR G-T variant, the new GT Mode-Nero Safety Plus III stands as the most affordable offering from the two new additions with its JPY2,725,000 (approx. RM89,918.41) price tag. This variant also comes brimmed with a 1.2-litre 4-cyl turbo and CVT powertrain setup, and it can be had in either front- or all-wheel-drive forms too.

New in this variant is the offer of a new ‘Inazuma parking black glass flake’ (literal Google translation) paintwork, and it’s matched with a unique set of 18-inch alloy wheels finished in black. On board, this new C-HR variant also gets treated with a new black and brown leather upholstery with beige pipe-stitching combination.

Moving on to the G ‘Mode-Nero Safety Plus III’ offering, this variant of the C-HR gets the same interior treatment as its new GT twin mentioned, but it is tagged with a higher price figure of JPY3,055,000 (approx. RM 100,807.61) instead. Much of this stems from the fact that it packs Toyota’s 1.8-litre hybrid petrol-electric powertrain.

Crucially, both variants are laced with a myriad of newly added safety features. Highlights of which include Pedal Misoperation Control that’s capable of mitigating collisions when the crossover detects stationary objects in front or behind, followed by a radar system that detects vehicles coming from the left and right, as well as a panoramic view monitor.

What do  you folks think of this somewhat plusher and safer refresh of Toyota’s rival towards the Honda HR-V and Nissan Kicks?