Thailand Car of the Year

[PeteC]

It does have an attractive design, but I know nothing about its performance. Photos of the Mazda and Suzuki at the link. Pete


Toyota C-HR named 2018 Thailand Car of the Year
Published: 20/11/2018 at 11:14 AM
Online news: https://www.bangkokpost.com/auto/news/1 ... f-the-year


Stylish B-segment SUV takes the annual gong ahead of the Mazda CX-5 and Suzuki Swift.

The Toyota C-HR has snatched the annual Thailand Car of the Year award, now in its fourth year organised by the Thai Automotive Journalists Association.

The B-segment SUV from the country’s best-selling car brand has been praised for its bold design, effective hybrid powertrain and a newly-developed platform benefiting handling and ride factors.

The C-HR garnered 382 points ahead of the Mazda CX-5 (307) and Suzuki Swift (260).

The judges comprised of automotive journalists with at least three years of car-testing experience.

Eligible cars need to be all-new for the Thai market and have been launched between 1 Oct 2017 and 30 Sept 2018.

The previous winners were Honda CR-V, Mazda CX-3 and Ford Everest.

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[Dannie Boy]

I’m surprised that it’s been voted top of the pile - I hired a non-hybrid version in the UK last Christmas and whilst it drove ok, what I found was the rear view was somewhat limited and the boot is not that big - I know the choice in Thailand is nowhere near as big as it is in the UK, so maybe it’s the lack of competition linked to the hybrid option that tipped the balance?

[T.O.M.]

You take a basic car....drop it into the accessories box and see what sticks...and voila...you have a new model.
Reminds me a little of Nissan Duke, very hot and popular when introduced and today the design is seen as almost an embarrassment....
This one is never going to be a classic like the CRV

[laphanphon]

2018, Made in Thailand, and starts at ฿979,000 .... that's taking the piss.

About 50 % more than USA 2019 price...starts at $20,945

[buksida]

2018, Made in Thailand, and starts at ฿979,000 .... that's taking the piss.

About 50 % more than USA 2019 price...starts at $20,945

That is a piss take, cars in the UK are also less than the cost of the equivalent here.

[T.O.M.]

^^^
They have to fill the government coffers one way or another, and since most people here pay very little tax and VAT is very low...
At least with the car you have a choice...

[laphanphon]

That's the ol' RAV4 revamped.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toyota_C-HR
Sadly, for USA market, that's an import, probably Japan (not made in USA), and still way cheaper.

Yes, the excise tax is a big bite when buying here. Got that 'refunded' / ฿100k when wife bought the Mazda2 sedan and shy of 20% of the MSRP at the time.

[handdrummer]

In terms of performance & reliability is there much difference between the same more-or-less models of Toyota, Mazda, Honda, Hyundai, Suzuki, Kia and whatever else I left out?

[laphanphon]

Engine / power-train / tranny wise, I think they're all about the same now of day. Had Ford Escort, Mazda2, Protege 323 and Toyota Vios of late, and no problems to mention.

I think all with the 1.5L engine (4 cyl). Haven't had the 1.2L / 3 cyl that are getting pushed in the enty levels yet.

The rest, interior / plastics / molding leave a bit to be desired. Was thinking about trading in the Mazda2, since 7 yrs old, just for the hell of it, as good performer and looks newish, when washed.

Looked at most, entry levels cars, and didn't care for any of them, all seeming a bit cheap. Actually holding the prices down from 7 years ago, but seem to be cutting back on little things, while offering other things, ours doesn't have.

Almost pick up the Nissan Note, a new entry at the time, great intro price, fully loaded, but 1.2L 3cyl engine, and the ugliest interior console I've ever seen.

Looked at newer Mazda2 and Vios, and both around 625/640k, vs 545k we paid 7 yrs ago, and didn't see the point, especially since only offering 250 ish k for trade in.

Figured we'd just keep the devil we know, and only 130k on the clock at the time. Really don't drive as much as we used to, and may take another 10 years to put another 100k more on it, if even close to that.

Need to lease a Note for a week, and test out a 3 cyl engine, as I've slowed down quite a bit, so may not kill it. And if they changed the interior a bit, then might get one.

Really liked the Swift's exterior styling, until I looked inside. Very basic and cheap looking. Quite surprise. Would like that if they upgraded the interior a bit.

I would prefer a Pick Up actually, but no entry levels are automatic trans, and I don't need a 7 or 800k baht vehicle for point A to B. Along with too large and hard to find parking with the Mazda2 as it is.

Didn't look at Hyundai or Kia.