10 Cars Similar to the Toyota C-HR

The Toyota C-HR is a good choice if you’re after a small SUV with standout looks and a well-earned reputation for reliability. It’s fuel efficient, especially in hybrid form, and comes with plenty of safety kit as standard. That said, the sloping roof eats into rear headroom, the back windows are small, and the boot is on the tighter side.

If you like the C-HR’s style and efficiency but wish it were roomier or a bit more versatile, these 10 alternatives are worth considering.

1. Honda HR‑V

The Honda HR‑V is a good alternative to the Toyota C-HR if you want a practical and well-equipped small SUV. On the road, the ride is firm. It handles bigger bumps well, but smaller potholes can feel harsh.

The cheapest model, Elegance, has plenty of features: front and rear parking sensors, a reversing camera, heated front seats, and keyless entry. The mid-level Advance trim adds a powered tailgate, leather seats, and a heated steering wheel.

Inside, the HR-V feels well-made. There’s plenty of space up front, smart storage spots, and a big boot. The rear seats fold down or flip up like cinema seats, which gives you flexible space for tall or bulky items.

2. Mazda CX‑30

The Mazda CX‑30 feels strong, especially the Skyactiv-X engine, but it’s not as quick off the line as some turbocharged rivals. The ride is a bit firm, and rough roads or potholes can be felt inside. It handles corners well with little body roll but may lose front-wheel grip if pushed hard.

The cabin feels high quality, with soft materials, leatherette trim, and chrome details. The controls are easy to use, thanks to a big 8.8-inch screen controlled by a rotary dial and shortcut buttons. There are also regular buttons and knobs for heating and audio.

Stepping up from the entry-level SE-L to the SE-L Lux trim adds heated front seats, climate control, and keyless entry for extra comfort and convenience.

3. Kia Niro

The Kia Niro is available as a traditional hybrid, a plug-in hybrid, and a fully electric model. The standard hybrid, introduced in 2016, charges itself while driving and combines electric assistance with the petrol engine for improved fuel efficiency. Higher trim levels offer features such as sat-nav, heated seats, adaptive cruise control, and leather upholstery.

The plug-in hybrid, launched in 2017, provides an electric-only range of approximately 38 miles when charged. It comes well equipped with leather seats, heated front seats, sat-nav, and adaptive cruise control.

The fully electric e-Niro, available since 2018, delivers a real-world driving range of around 250 miles. It offers spacious interior dimensions and confident handling thanks to its low centre of gravity.

4. Kia Sportage

The Kia Sportage offers six trim levels, starting with the basic model that includes 16-inch wheels, front fog lights, hill start assist, air conditioning, Bluetooth, and cruise control. Top trims offer an 8-inch touchscreen, panoramic sunroof, premium sound system, ventilated seats, advanced safety systems, and more.

The Sportage handles well with controlled body roll and good grip, but it’s not sporty. The ride is mostly comfortable, although bigger wheels make bumps more noticeable. It’s quiet on the motorway, but diesel engines sound rough in town.

The cabin is comfortable with a good driving position and decent materials. There’s plenty of space up front, and two adults can sit comfortably in the back. Three can fit for short trips.

5. Ford Puma

The Ford Puma is based on the Ford Fiesta, so it drives very well. It’s nimble and handles corners nicely. The sportier versions have sports suspension to reduce body roll. The ride is a bit firm but still comfortable.

Even the basic Titanium trim comes with good features, like 17-inch wheels, automatic lights and wipers, heated mirrors, air conditioning, and rear parking sensors. Higher trims add a digital display, bigger wheels, privacy glass, better seats, and a premium sound system.

The cabin is easy to use with soft-touch materials. Rear visibility isn’t great because of the design, but there’s enough space for two tall people in the back. The boot fits six carry-on suitcases, and there is a hidden storage space under the floor for two more cases.

6. Peugeot 3008

The Peugeot 3008 has a soft and comfortable ride that handles bumps and rough roads well. The steering is precise, especially at low speeds.

Inside, the 3008 features Peugeot’s unique i-Cockpit design, with digital dials positioned high on the dashboard above a small steering wheel. This makes it easy to see important information. The cabin is modern and clean, with an 8-inch touchscreen for controlling the radio and climate.

There is plenty of space in the front seats, and the back ones offer decent room and fold flat to expand the boot space. The boot itself is typical in size for this class, able to fit a buggy and some luggage. It also has an adjustable boot floor and a folding front passenger seat for carrying longer items.

7. Nissan Qashqai

Nissan Qashqai handles well with responsive steering and doesn’t lean much in corners. It also rides over bumps and potholes comfortably, especially if you avoid the biggest 19-inch wheels. The cabin is quiet, with little wind or road noise. Because rear visibility is limited, it’s best to get one with parking sensors or a reversing camera.

The boot is big enough for a folded buggy, a travel cot, and some bags. Higher versions have boot dividers to help organise space or create a flat loading floor.

The back seats fit three people across or two adults comfortably. Tall passengers might want to avoid models with a panoramic roof, as it reduces headroom.

8. Volkswagen T‑Roc

The Volkswagen T‑Roc handles well with light and responsive steering. It rides comfortably and soaks up bumps and rough roads. The gearbox is smooth and helps the car perform well. It also grips the road nicely in corners.

Inside, there’s a decent amount of space, but five adults might feel a bit cramped because of a narrow middle seat and a bump in the floor at the back.

Older models had hard plastics inside, but a 2022 update added softer materials, which made the cabin feel nicer. All current T-Rocs come with an 8-inch touchscreen, dual-zone climate control, Bluetooth, DAB radio, and safety features like automatic emergency braking and lane assist.

9. Toyota Corolla Cross

The Toyota Corolla Cross looks more like a raised estate than a traditional SUV. It’s bigger than the Corolla hatchback, and it’s less flashy than the C-HR.

It comes with two hybrid engines, both 2.0-litre petrol. The basic model is front-wheel drive with 194bhp. The all-wheel-drive model adds extra power from a rear motor. The ride is smooth and comfortable, with good grip and light steering. However, compared to the Corolla hatchback, it’s not as fun or sharp to drive because it’s bigger and heavier.

Inside, there’s more headroom and a much larger boot. The dashboard is easy to use, with a mix of buttons and touchscreen controls, though it’s starting to look slightly dated.

10. Audi Q3 Sportback

The Audi Q3 Sportback offers a stylish, coupe-like design that stands out in the crowded crossover market. It’s a bit lower and sleeker than the regular Q3, but still practical enough for daily use.

The Q3 Sportback shares the same platform and engines as the regular Q3. Early engine options included a 2.0-litre diesel and a 2.0-litre petrol with all-wheel drive, later joined by a 1.5-litre mild-hybrid petrol. The RS Q3 model offers a 400hp five-cylinder engine and quattro all-wheel drive.

The cabin feels modern and high-quality, with a driver-focused dashboard and soft-touch materials. Rear headroom is slightly reduced due to the lower roof, but two adults up to 6 feet tall will still be comfortable. The back seats split and slide to give flexibility.

Verdict

These alternatives improve on the areas where the C-HR falls short, such as offering more space, a smoother ride, or a lower price tag. Still, they are not the only options on the market. So, take your time, compare carefully, and choose the one that fits your needs best.