“Love the built in safety features. Blind spot, lane departure, radar assist cruise control and backup camera.”
2021 Toyota C-HR: What's New, Specs & Features
Last updated August 4, 2026
The biggest change for the 2021 Toyota C-HR is a stronger safety suite on every trim. Toyota also adds the blacked-out Nightshade Edition, while the rest of the vehicle largely carries over from 2020.
About the 2021 Toyota C-HR
1st generation (2018-2022 US), fourth model year, after the 2020 front-end update.
Toyota positions the C-HR as a style-first small crossover for city driving, blending sport-coupe looks, hatchback practicality, and SUV ride height. The marketing leans hard on its standout shape, tight footprint, and driver-focused cabin rather than cargo capacity or off-road ability. For most shoppers, the C-HR’s appeal is simple: it is Toyota’s bold-looking, easy-to-place urban crossover with strong standard safety tech and a more expressive design than many rivals.
The 2021 C-HR lineup runs from the well-equipped LE to the comfort-focused Limited, with every trim using a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine and front-wheel drive. The XLE adds daily-use conveniences such as push-button start and blind-spot monitoring, the Nightshade brings black wheels and exterior trim, and the Limited tops the range with heated leather-trimmed seats and headlights that turn into corners.
What changed, by category
Safety
Toyota Safety Sense 2.5 becomes standard on every trim. It adds lane tracing assist, road sign assist, full-speed adaptive cruise control, and broader pre-collision detection, including daytime bicyclist and low-light pedestrian detection, intersection support, and emergency steering assist.
Styling
The new Nightshade Edition joins the lineup with black 18-inch wheels, badges, door handles, chin spoiler, and interior trim. It pairs the dark appearance package with the XLE's convenience and safety equipment.
2021 Toyota C-HR specs and features by trim
| Feature | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 4-Cyl, 2.0 Liter | 4-Cyl, 2.0 Liter | 4-Cyl, 2.0 Liter | 4-Cyl, 2.0 Liter |
| Transmission | Automatic, CVTi-S | Automatic, CVTi-S | Automatic, CVTi-S | Automatic, CVTi-S |
| Drivetrain | FWD | FWD | FWD | FWD |
| Fuel Type | Gas | Gas | Gas | Gas |
| MPG City | 27 mpg | 27 mpg | 27 mpg | 27 mpg |
| MPG Highway | 31 mpg | 31 mpg | 31 mpg | 31 mpg |
| Horsepower | 144 hp | 144 hp | 144 hp | 144 hp |
| Torque | 139 lb-ft | 139 lb-ft | 139 lb-ft | 139 lb-ft |
| Trunk/Cargo | 37 cu-ft | 37 cu-ft | 37 cu-ft | 37 cu-ft |
| Rear Legroom | 31.7 in | 31.7 in | 31.7 in | 31.7 in |
| Seats | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Doors | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Adaptive Headlights | ||||
| Automatic High Beams | ||||
| Blindspot Sensors | ||||
| Lane Departure Warning | ||||
| Rear View Camera | ||||
| Alloy Wheels | ||||
| Fog Lights | ||||
| LED Headlights | ||||
| Power Folding Exterior Mirrors | ||||
| Power Liftgate/Trunk Release | ||||
| Rear Spoiler | ||||
| Roof Rails | ||||
| Satellite Radio | ||||
| Smartphone Interface | ||||
| Touch Screen Monitor | ||||
| Dual-Zone Climate Control | ||||
| Heated Front Seats | ||||
| Leather Seats | ||||
| Leather-Wrapped Steering Wheel | ||||
| Power Driver Seat | ||||
| Proximity Keyless Entry | ||||
| Push-Button Engine Start | ||||
Frequently asked questions
What is the biggest change to the 2021 Toyota C-HR?
The biggest change is Toyota Safety Sense 2.5 becoming standard on every 2021 C-HR. It brings full-speed adaptive cruise control, lane tracing assist, road sign assist, and expanded pre-collision detection.
Is the 2021 Toyota C-HR Nightshade new for this year?
Yes, the Nightshade Edition joins the C-HR lineup for 2021. It builds on the XLE's equipment with black 18-inch wheels, black badges, black door handles, a black chin spoiler, and a black interior theme.
Does every 2021 Toyota C-HR have adaptive cruise control?
Yes, every 2021 C-HR has full-speed adaptive cruise control as part of its standard Toyota Safety Sense 2.5 safety suite. Lane tracing assist and road sign assist are also standard across the lineup.
Was the Toyota C-HR redesigned for 2021?
No, the C-HR was not redesigned for 2021. It largely carries over after the 2020 front-end update, with the upgraded standard safety suite and new Nightshade Edition as its main changes.
Does the 2021 Toyota C-HR have all-wheel drive?
No, every 2021 Toyota C-HR uses front-wheel drive. All trims pair a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with an automatic transmission.
2021 Toyota C-HR Reviews
What owners are saying about the 2021 Toyota C-HR.
4.2
2021 Toyota C-HR
(140 reviews)
“The Toyota C-HR is a perfect compact SUV that is stylish in and out with great features and plenty of comfortable seating throughout the vehicle.”
“Door do not lock automatically. No a/c or heat vents in the back of the vehicle.”
Sources
- pressroom.toyota.com — New Nightshade Edition Comes To 2021 Toyota C Hr
- pressroom.toyota.com — Toyota C Hr Carves Out Its Own Niche For 2020 With New Exterior Styling
- pressroom.toyota.com — Whats New For 2022
- pressroom.toyota.com — Story Begins With First Ever Toyota C Hr
- pressroom.toyota.com — Toyota Chr Gets Tech Styling Upgrades New Grade Strategy 2019