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2020 Toyota C-HR Trim Levels with Comparisons & Configurations.

2020 Toyota C-HR Trim Levels, Configurations & Comparisons: LE vs XLE & Limited
Reviewed & fact checked by
James Murdoch

What 2020 Toyota C-HR Trim Level Should you Buy? What is the Difference Between Trims?

The C-HR stands out amongst its competitors. It shares many similarities to standard SUVs since it has good height and a versatile cabin, but at the same time, it drives like a sporty coupe. It would appeal to anyone who likes compact SUVs and crossovers. A bonus is that it's affordably priced, with the LE being especially budget-friendly.

The exterior of the C-HR feels sculpted. Strong angles stand out in the front and rear of the car, and curves around the front and back wheels help the C-HR look aerodynamic. Also contributing to the unique appearance is the sloped roof and the fact that the back door handles are much higher than one might expect, near the roofline. Toyota calls these "hidden" rear door handles, and they're a cool feature that takes the C-HR a step into the future in terms of design.

Five people can fit inside the C-HR. Leg room in the front is 43.46 inches, and in the back, it's definitely more cozy with 31.7 inches of leg room. Since the car only sits 5.9 inches off the ground, it's easy to get in and out of. The cargo area behind the second row of seats can fit plenty, as it has a volume of 19.1 cubic feet. Capacity can increase to 37 cubic feet if the second-row seats are folded down.

All trims run on the same engine. It has four cylinders, 16 valves, and a displacement of two liters, so it's nothing extraordinary while also not being too basic. It's capable of generating 144 horsepower and 139 pound-feet of torque. Some customers might prefer more power than that, but remember that this car is more on a regular commuter versus an off-road conquerer. This amount of capability is definitely sufficient in nearly all situations that compact SUVs and urban or suburban drivers would find theselves in.

Front-wheel drive is standard, and this configuration lends itself to greater efficiency. The C-HR can achieve an estimated 27/31 (city/highway) miles per gallon, resulting in a combined 29 miles per gallon. For a non-hybrid vehicle, this is a fairly solid level of fuel economy.

Compare the 2020 Toyota C-HR LE vs XLE Trim Levels. What is the difference?

When looking at the C-HR from the outside, some people might notice a difference in the wheels of the LE and the XLE. The LE rides on 17-inch steel wheels, with the option to upgrade to alloy wheels. While steel is very durable, alloy is lighter and puts less strain on the vehicle. Alloy wheels are also thought to look a little more upscale than steel. With 18-inch sport alloy wheels that feature a C-HR vortex style, the XLE looks more refined.

Both vehicles have shark-fin antennas at the back of their roofs, heated power outside mirrors with turn signals, and rear spoilers, all of which are painted the same color as the C-HR's exterior. The sporty element of the car is enhanced by having an aerodynamic rear lower diffuser, front and rear wheel spats, sport bumpers, and aerodynamic rear fins.

The door handles on the LE are standard versions that serve their basic function. On the XLE, they have a touch-sensor so that one can simply touch them to lock or unlock the vehicle. This feature is paired with Toyota's Smart Key system, and the handle on the hatchback door has this functionality as well. In contrast, the LE has a remote keyless entry system that's operated by pushing buttons on a key fob.

Another exterior difference is that the XLE has side mirrors that come with puddle lights that can project "Toyota C-HR" on the ground near the car. Plus, the side mirrors can automatically fold themselves in when parked so as to not take up too much room.

People will appreciate the many amenities included inside the C-HR. A dual-zone automatic climate control system is standard so that the driver and passenger can choose different temperatures, and it comes with a pollen filter to improve air quality. The rearview mirror has nighttime and daytime modes to account for changes in the intensity of the light it reflects. Both the LE and XLE come with four power windows that have a one-touch auto-up/down function, a cover for the back cargo area, and cloth-trimmed seats. The second-row seats have a 60/40 split-bench configuration so they can be adjusted depending on how much cargo there is to carry. One nicer touch is that the shift lever is trimmed with leather and comes with a satin-plated knob.

The steering wheel on the LE is made with urethane, which is definitely durable, if not very elegant. The steering wheel can be adjusted through tilt and telescoping actions, and it comes with controls for the infotainment and cruise control systems. On the XLE, it gets upgraded to being trimmed with leather. Also, the XLE has illuminated vanity mirrors and sliding extensions on its sun visors whereas the LE only has the visors with vanity mirrors.

There are many places to store things inside the cabin of the C-HR, in addition to the standard glove compartment. The front doors have storage pockets, there are two front cup holders, and there are two bottle holders in the back. Seatback pockets are only found on the XLE.

The infotainment system on the C-HR is pretty advanced. Standard on all trims is Toyota's Audio system. It comes with an eight-inch touchscreen that is easy to read and interact with. To the delight of people who love their technology, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are standard, as is Bluetooth compatibility. This means that certain voice commands are accepted by the system. Also included are SiriusXM Satellite Radio, Wi-Fi Connect, and Amazon Alexa. These features make a difference in keeping people fully connected to the network while they're on the road.

The XLE comes with the option to upgrade to the Audio Plus system. The additional functionality includes HD radio, which may be important for some consumers because of its high-quality sound, amount of available stations, and lack of subscription fees.

Where the two trims differ in the safety category is that the XLE comes with blind spot monitoring and rear cross traffic alert. Blind spot monitoring can alert drivers when other cars in locations where they wouldn't be seen through any of the mirrors. A visual alert on the C-HR's side mirrors can be illuminated when this occurs, so it's not obtrusive at all. A compatible system is rear cross traffic alert, and this can be very useful when drivers can't otherwise see vehicles crossing behind them while they're backing up.

Other than those two features, the safety suite is the same in the LE as it is in the XLE. They both have an integrated backup camera, ten airbags placed strategically around the cabin, the LATCH system for convenient and safe car seat attachments, and Hill Start Assist Control.

Toyota Safety Sense P, which is the standard package that comes with the C-HR and most other Toyota vehicles, consists of several driver-assist features. Pre-collision system with pedestrian detection can come in handy in case a frontal collision is ever imminent. It works by sending out a warning if the C-HR seems like it's about it hit another vehicle or person. Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist can keep track of positioning and can gently steer people back into the center of their lanes. Automatic high beams can be useful when driving down particularly dark roads. Finally, Full-speed Range Dynamic Radar Cruise Control can adjust the C-HR's speed if the other cars on the highway are slowing down or speeding up.

Compare the 2020 Toyota C-HR XLE vs Limited Trims. What is the difference?

As mentioned previously, the Limited is powered by the same engine as the XLE. They utilize Toyota's continuously variable transmission, which works to maintain a constant engine speed in order to be more fuel efficient. This type of design allows the car to make smooth transitions as it accelerates.

The C-HR lets drivers choose from three driving modes. Drivers can select Sport, Normal, or ECO driving modes depending on the situation and his or her particular preferences related to responsiveness and efficiency.

Since everything is the same under the hood, the exterior and the interior have to be examined to find differences between the trims. While the XLE has multi-reflector LED headlights, the Limited has LED projector headlights that can automatically level themselves. Its adaptive front lighting allows the headlights to slightly turn as the car is turning, and this helps quite a bit with visibility. In both trims, the headlights can automatically turn on and off. Additionally, the Limited has high-performance LED fog lights.

The Limited gets to ride on turbine-styled 18-inch alloy wheels that have a little more edge to them than those on the XLE. A few things are exclusively found on the Limited: a red rear bumper garnish, a window trim accent that's finished with a bright chrome, and a sleek piano-black B-pillar in between the front and rear windows.

Both trims come with the option to get the R-Code paint treatment. With this option selected, the car would have a black or silver roof and outside mirrors, depending on the customer's preferences. This would result in a bold, two-tone look.

A major upgrade inside the cabin are the Limited's leather-trimmed seats. Drivers in the Limited get to take advantage of having eight-way power-adjustable seats with sport bolsters and lumbar support. Like the XLE, the Limited has a six-way manually adjustable front passenger seat.

In the safety category, the XLE and Limited are identical. The Limited has those same features as described earlier, to include the advanced driver-assist technologies. All trims also come with the Star Safety System that consists of various stability features. With Vehicle Stability Control, Traction Control, and Electronic Brake-Force Distribution, among other systems, the C-HR can continually monitor how it's doing. If any issues are detected, such as when certain wheels are slipping or the driver has suddenly hit the brakes, the vehicle will immediately take action in an effort to keep things in control.

2020 Toyota C-HR: Which Trim to Choose?

When taking all of this information into account, the differences in the C-HR seem relatively minor. The trims are all priced competitively and run on the same powertrain, and the jumps in price between the three trims are fairly modest.

As long as one can afford it, there's no reason not splurge on the C-HR and get the Limited trim. The Limited treats people to leather seats, high-tech headlights, and upgraded stylistic elements. Since customers who may be attracted to the C-HR in the first place are likely those who prefer a modern aesthetic and slightly edgy vibe, the exterior features in the Limited only help in this regard.

If someone doesn't have the extra money or doesn't care to spend their cash on things like chrome accents and leather seats, than they would be happy with the XLE. It has a key safety feature - blind spot monitoring with rear cross traffic alert - that the LE doesn't have. Itt also has the advanced keyless entry system that so many people find convenient. Finally, the XLE has a few more interior touches that make it feel more welcoming and a bit less basic.

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Previous Toyota C-HR Trim Configurations:

Compare the 2019 Toyota C-HR Trim Levels