Toyota C-HR Hybrid coming to Oz late 2019

Toyota dealers have confirmed with Drive the company has indicated the petrol-electric version of its popular compact SUV will be in Australian showrooms before the end of 2019. If history is a guide the updated C-HR will be in showrooms around November, the same month previous updates have occurred.

There's no further details at this stage, so it's unclear whether the launch of the hybrid model will coincide with a mid-life refresh or equipment upgrade, given the C-HR first launched in Australia in February 2017.

While final specifications are yet to be confirmed for our market, the C-HR Hybrid offered overseas draws upon the same 91kW 1.8-litre hybrid setup as the Prius and Corolla, driving the front wheels through a CVT automatic.

Pricing is yet to be confirmed, but going by the Corolla, Camry and RAV4 hybrids, the C-HR Hybrid should command a premium of circa $1500-2000.

Currently, the entry-level CVT-equipped C-HR is priced from $28,990 plus on-road costs, so the hybrid should kick off just over the $30,000 mark should the current price structure carry over.

Toyota's local division has been putting its hand up for the C-HR Hybrid since the crossover launched locally in 2017, though supply shortages from the Japanese factory, and priority being given to other markets like Japan, have seen its introduction delayed here.

The C-HR Hybrid will form part of the five new petrol-electric models planned by the Japanese automotive giant for arrival in Australia by mid-way through 2020. Already here is the new-generation RAV4 SUV, with the Corolla Sedan due before year's end around the same time as the petrol-electric C-HR.

Early next year will see the likely (yet to be officially confirmed) launch of the new-gen Kluger SUV with the option of hybrid power, with one more electrified model to join the stable by mid-2020 – the latter is still to be confirmed.

Toyota recently sold its 100,000th hybrid in Australia, with a generous ratio of the current Camry (45.4%) and Corolla (31.4%) registrations being hybrids. It's expected the new RAV4, which went on sale last month, will follow a similar trend.

Stay tuned to Drive for all the latest updates over the coming months, and let us know if the C-HR Hybrid will be on your shopping list.

Note: Overseas model shown