Toyota News: Toyota Admits Lack of AWD Hurting C-HR Sales

[William Maley]

Toyota's polarizing C-HR crossover went on sale earlier this year and it isn't doing so well in terms of sales. Through November, Toyota has only moved 21,889 units, way less than Chevrolet Trax (72,723 units) and Honda HR-V (86,491).

Speaking to Wards Auto, Toyota Motor Sales USA's president Bob Carter said a key reason the comes down to the C-HR not offering all-wheel drive in North America. Most subcompact crossovers sold in the U.S. have the option of AWD. But if Toyota was to AWD to the C-HR, it would highlight another problem. The C-HR carries a base price of $22,500, making it one of the more expensive models in the class.

The C-HR isn't the only crossover that will only come front-wheel drive. Nissan's upcoming Kicks crossover will also be FWD only. However, Michael Bunce, senior vice president-product planning for Nissan North America tells Wards that only offering FWD on the Kicks shouldn't dent sales due to the low price of under $19,000. Those who want AWD will need to step up to the Rogue Sport which begins at $22,470 for the base S AWD.

Source: Wards Auto

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[ocnblu]

Of course AWD is the only culprit.  It can't be the just totally weird styling... CAN IT?  And the homely, unexciting but extremely friendly little Trax soldiers on day by day, doing its job.

[Drew Dowdell]

Couldn't be that it has less usable cargo room than the tC? Or that somehow they made this tall hatch feel more cramped for rear passengers than the tC?

This is just Toyota's version of a Juke without the frog eyes.

[riviera74]

Or Toyota could cut the price by $5000, but that would be too simple.

[smk4565]

It does cost too much, and looks like yesterday's Nissan Juke which doesn't help, and these things have like an 11 second 0-60 time which can't be too fun to drive.  So there isn't much going for the CH-R, plus the name is forgettable, and a RAV4 is like $3k more which in dealership speak is "only another $29 per month"

 

[Robert Hall]

They need to do an AWD Lexus version of the CH-R with violent predator gundam styling, below the NX. 

[smk4565]

2 hours ago, Cubical-aka-Moltar said:

They need to do an AWD Lexus version of the CH-R with violent predator gundam styling, below the NX. 

They are, the Lexus UX goes on sale in 2018.

[balthazar]

Perhaps there'll be a sport version of the lexus: the 'S' UX.

[oldshurst442]

Perhaps...

But Id rather Kiss continue putting the 'X' in Sex and just keep rockin' on to make us forget how phoquing lame Toyota has become!

 

 

 

[daves87rs]

Well, you can't have everything when you're ugly.....

[regfootball]

I like the styling but I haven't checked one out to know how cramped it is inside. If it's sold as an SUV, if it doesn't have AWD then the price needs to be more in line with a fwd sedan because people will only see it as a hatchback alternative not an SUV.  People will shell out extra for an "SUV". 

Trax can sell because it provides a mini SUV feel. Upright seats and cabin. Actually aside from super tight width accommodates people really well for it's size. Flexible for cargo as well. The Jukes and CH-R's of the world maybe need to think of the utility aspect more. 

Edited December 10, 2017 by regfootball

[daves87rs]

4 hours ago, regfootball said:

I like the styling but I haven't checked one out to know how cramped it is inside. If it's sold as an SUV, if it doesn't have AWD then the price needs to be more in line with a fwd sedan because people will only see it as a hatchback alternative not an SUV.  People will shell out extra for an "SUV". 

Trax can sell because it provides a mini SUV feel. Upright seats and cabin. Actually aside from super tight width accommodates people really well for it's size. Flexible for cargo as well. The Jukes and CH-R's of the world maybe need to think of the utility aspect more. 

 

I've seen the two side by side....I'd buy the Trax hands down. Their really is not much space in the CH-R....looks like some farted in a corolla to gain that extra space.......

[ocnblu]

CH-R = a tiny body with giant lights protruding way out to give an impression of size.  Kind of like this little guy when perturbed: 

[Robert Hall]

The C-HR kinds of looks like a Velocter with an extra door and angry styling..

[G. David Felt]

3 hours ago, ocnblu said:

CH-R = a tiny body with giant lights protruding way out to give an impression of size.  Kind of like this little guy when perturbed: 

I thought we were supposed to be nice to each other at this time of year. 

How did you get a picture of my cousin? 

O'h wait, he is not german, my bad!