Toyota C-HR Vs. Fiat 500L

Toyota C-HR compared to Fiat 500L

Fiat 500L and Toyota C-HR, Photo: L Baures

While the Toyota C-HR is technically classed as a ‘subcompact crossover SUV’ and the Fiat 500L is classed as a ‘mini MPV’, these two vehicles are similar in size and around the same $20k price tag. Both vehicles are FWD.

Trim levels

C-HR

The C-HR is available in 2 trim levels; XLE and XLE Premium. Both trim levels come with Toyota’s suite of safety technology called Toyota Safety Sense-P (TSS-P). The XLE Premium has added Blind Spot Monitoring and Rear Cross Traffic Alert. It also has puddle lights that project ‘Toyota C-HR’. Heated fabric trimmed front bucket seats and color-keyed door handles are also standard on the XLE Premium trim level along with fog lights and Smart Key System. For more information on how the C-HR drives, check out our test drive article.

500L

The 500L comes in the POP, Trekking, and Lounge. Standard features on the POP include; ParkView® back up camera, premium low-back cloth bucket seats, and 16″ aluminum wheels. It is also compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto making smartphone integration easy.

Trekking trim level adds body-colored front and rear fascias,17″ alloy wheel wrapped in all-season tires, BeatsAudio™ sound system, LED interior lighting and leather-trimmed seats. The Lounge edition adds heated front seats, two-way power lumbar adjustment, ParkSense® rear parking assist system, and a 7″ color touchscreen with UConnect 4 (for voice commands, Bluetooth streaming, SiriusXM® radio, and GPS navigation).

Powertrains and performance

Fiat 500Ls come with a 1.4L MultiAir® turbocharged engine paired with a 6-speed transmission. Estimated EPA fuel consumption figures are 30 mpg on the highway, 22 mpg in the city with a combined figure of 25 mpg. The Toyota C-HR comes with a bigger 2.0 L 4 cylinder engine, but not turbocharged. EPA estimated fuel consumption figures for the C–HR are as follows; 31 mpg highway, 27 mpg city and 29 mpg combined.

Space and dimensions

As you can see from the chart there isn’t a huge difference in the size between the two. The Fiat has more legroom in the back, whilst the Toyota has slightly more ground clearance. Neither of them have insane amounts of cargo room, but that’s not what these cars were made for. They are both hatchbacks though, which means access to the entire vehicle can be obtained by opening the tailgate. This is useful if you do need to pack something that’s bigger or longer by folding the seats.

Safety

A 5-Star overall safety rating is awarded to the Toyota C-HR by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The C-HR comes standard with, ‘Toyota Safety Sense-P™’ (TSS-P) which is a suite of safety technology. Included is;

• Full-Speed Range Dynamic Radar Cruise Control (DRCC)
• Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection (PCS w/PD)
• Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist (LDA w/SA)
• Automatic High Beams

The Fiat 500L, however, has not yet been tested by NHTSA so doesn’t have a safety rating by American standards. It was tested in 2012 by NCAP (The European New Car Assesment Programme) and received a 5-Star rating.

Price

Looking at the top two trim levels, the Toyota C-HR XLE Premium comes in at $25,350 MSRP (as per the Toyota website), and the Fiat 500L Lounge comes in at $25,140 MSRP (as per Fiat website). So just over a $200 difference before rebates, incentives and/or discounts. Contact your local Toyota or Fiat dealership for a quote. Fremont Motors has Toyota dealerships in Lander, WY and Sheridan WY. Fremont Fiat can be found in Casper and Rock Springs, WY.

Both of these vehicles would be a good choice as a first vehicle or fuel efficient grocery getter.

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