Hi everyone, I’m in the UK and currently driving a 2018 Toyota Yaris 1.5 petrol (manual). I’m thinking of upgrading my car and sticking with Toyota because I like the brand.
I want to switch from petrol to a mild hybrid (not plug-in, as it’s not feasible where I live). My plan is to part-exchange my Yaris for either a used CH-R or a Corolla. My parents have a Yaris Cross hybrid, which I’ve driven and found really smooth. That’s why I think a petrol hybrid is the way to go.
I’ve been browsing Auto Trader for both CH-R and Corolla, looking at trims with ‘Design’ as the minimum because it seems to have all I need. Now I’m trying to decide:
Should I go for the older CH-R or the current Corolla?
Is it worth paying more for the newer CH-R as they’re starting to appear on the used market?
The Corolla has more room for people sitting in the back, while the CH-R has some blind spots. But honestly, the older CH-R looks much better in my opinion.
I own a CH-R, but if I could do it all over again, I’d go for a Corolla Touring Sport. The CH-R is great, but I prefer the Corolla’s handling and ride. Plus, my kids would appreciate the better visibility from the back seats. The CH-R boot is also smaller than it seems because of the slanted rear window.
Whatever you choose, keep an eye out for ex-Motability cars. They’re usually well-maintained with yearly services and low mileage. My last Motability car had only 5k miles when it was handed back. Not sure if they’re sold through dealerships, but if I were buying used, I’d definitely look at them.
I upgraded from a Yaris to a 2021 CH-R Sol model and love it. My kids are still small, so space isn’t an issue for now. I test-drove the Corolla Cross too, and it’s a lovely car. If you can, test-drive a few options and see what feels right. That said, the CH-R does have some blind spots, as others have pointed out.
The CH-R’s blind spots can be tricky because of the thick rear pillars. It has electronic blind spot detectors that light up on the mirrors, but you’ll need to stay alert. Also, the back seat feels cramped because of the small windows, and the satnav can be slow and awkward to use. I haven’t driven the Corolla, so can’t compare directly. Good luck with your choice.
If you’re going all-gas, the Corolla is more reliable. For hybrids, both are solid, but keep in mind the CH-R isn’t really an SUV—it’s more like a hatchback with a bit of extra ground clearance. The new CH-R looks amazing but is pricey.
The CH-R and Corolla have some similarities but also key differences. The CH-R is an SUV-style car with extra height. It’s great for city driving and gets about 5 litres per 100 km. On highways, it can struggle a bit at higher speeds, but it’s still reliable and economical. The back seats aren’t the most spacious, though.
That’s an American article. They have different transmissions over there. The E-CVT in the UK is the same as the Prius’s—it’s known for reliability and great fuel economy.