Trims

Toyota C-HR Dynamic vs Excel – which is best?

• 2 min read

Ben Custard

Content Editor

Ben is a Content Editor at Motorpoint. He's written for Top Gear and Auto Express, and has written a book. He likes hot hatches, estates and weird Japanese cars

The Toyota C-HR is a stylish coupe-SUV with an economical hybrid engine – but should you pick the mid-range Dynamic or the top-spec Excel?

It’s a car that feels like it’s perfectly suited to Britain. Eye-catching styling to make your neighbours’ curtains twitch, a clever hybrid system to reduce high fuel costs, and the backup of a 10-year warranty (if you keep it serviced at Toyota).

We’re comparing the older C-HR here, because the Dynamic trim isn’t available on the newer C-HR model. Check out the Design trim if you want something similar in the new model.

Toyota C-HR Dynamic vs Excel compared

Toyota C-HR Dynamic

Toyota C-HR Excel

Pros:

Eye-catching two-tone paint scheme
Blue interior trim

Pros:

Highest level of standard equipment
Much wider choice of used cars

Cons:

Only available for a few years
Leather seats optional

Cons:

More expensive than Dynamic
Fewer paint colour choices

Specification and standard equipment

Both of these trim levels sit above the Design trim in the C-HR range. Standard equipment for the Dynamic trim* includes:

Adaptive LED headlights
Blind-spot monitoring
Rear cross-traffic alert (useful when reversing out of a parking space)
Puddle lights
Black roof and metallic paint
18-inch alloy wheels
Touchscreen with sat nav, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
Reversing camera and sensors at each end
Adaptive cruise control
Two-zone climate control
Push-button start and keyless entry
Heated front seats
Heated, power-folding mirrors
Automatic wipers

The Excel trim includes nearly all of this equipment, excluding the free metallic paint and black roof (they were cost options so not all cars will have them fitted) and adds the following:

Black leather seats
Powered front seats
Heated steering wheel

^{*Information taken from a brochure dated August 2020}

Cost and value

Even on the used market, a C-HR in Excel trim is going to be a few hundred pounds more expensive than a C-HR in Dynamic trim with similar age and mileage. On finance, the difference will be in the region of £20-£50 per month. Whether you value the powered leather seats and heated steering wheel will ultimately sway your decision – or perhaps you just want the top-spec model.

But, given how much standard equipment is on the Dynamic trim, we expect most buyers won’t feel the need to upgrade to Excel.

Which is best?

You’ll want the Excel trim if you know you want the highest-equipped C-HR, or if you really want a heated steering wheel – once you’ve had one, you won’t want to be without one! Excel trim has also been around longer and there are far more Excel models for sale on the used market, giving you much more choice than if you’re shopping for a Dynamic model.

We think the Dynamic trim looks superb with its two-tone paintwork, glossy alloys and blue ‘Deco line’ across the dashboard. And even with fabric seats instead of leather, the Dynamic trim feels like a top-of-the-range model. If it’s eye-catching looks you’re after, the Dynamic is the one to get.

Chosen your C-HR?

Shop used Toyota C-HR Dynamic cars for sale or used Toyota C-HR Excel cars for sale at Motorpoint. Or, for more information, read our Toyota C-HR review.