Updated Toyota C-HR reaches Malaysian market and we’re jealous

Toyota C-HR is a subcompact crossover we’ve always wanted to have in the country and now that new year has started, don’t you think it’s perfect time for Toyota Philippines to grant the wish of the local car buyers? Well, Malaysia is now far ahead from us, as an updated 2019 C-HR is now available in their market and it’s something to be jealous about.

While we’re keeping our fingers crossed for the C-HR to enter the local subcompact crossover arena, it has gotten even more attractive with its new set of color options, design tweaks, and tech upgrades for the 2019 model year.

Scanning the new Toyota CH-R, some styling cues have noticeably changed to create a sportier appeal. From the previous five-spoke set, the 2019 model now comes with a newly-designed 17-inch two-tone wheels, while silver accents cover some parts of the bumper, side profile, and rear reflectors.

Hopping inside the cabin, the 2019 C-HR is integrated with new infotainment touchscreen that supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto for a more streamline smartphone integration to make calls, receive text messages, listen to music, and navigate your destination. The main catch? You can do all of this hands-free.

The Japanese carmaker also updated the C-HR’s color palette and can now be purchased in Radiant Green Metallic, adding to the existing Metal Stream Metallic, Attitude Black Mica, White Pearl CS, Blue Metallic and Red Mica. The new color finish is also coupled with a black roof to give a more appealing two-tone look. Customers can opt for White Pearl color, as well.

Toyota also offers an optional TRD Sportivo package that features front and rear underguards, which are packaged from the Japanese brand’s regional production house in Thailand. Apart from these changes, the rest of the kit remains untouched and few other toys are the same from its outgoing model including six speakers, 4.2-inch multi-info instrument display, a dual-zone automatic climate control, and leather seats.

To keep the driver and passengers at ease, the 2019 Toyota C-HR is equipped with seven airbags, Vehicle Stability Control (VSC), Hill Start Assist Control (HAC), blind spot monitor, tire pressure monitoring system, and anti-dazzle rear view mirror.

Under the hood, nothing much changed as the 2019 C-HR is still run by a 1.8-liter gasoline engine that churns out 138 hp and 171 Nm of torque. This power mill comes with a Continuously Variable Transmission with manual mode.

In the local scene, Toyota Motor Philippines has announced to be launching a new car in February and one of our guesses was right, as the Japanese company confirmed that it is indeed the RAV4. Given this fact, it would safe to assume that we won’t be getting C-HR anytime soon. But still, miracles do happen, right?