Toyota showrooms use augmented reality to let customers 'see' inside cars
Sign up for breaking news, reviews, opinion, top tech deals, and more.
You are now subscribed
Your newsletter sign-up was successful
When you're buying a new car, you'll take a peek under the hood, but Toyota showrooms are now going a step further, using augmented reality to let you 'see' right through the bodywork.
Toyota and marketing agency Brandwidth are using the technology to let customers peer inside the C-HR and see what makes the hybrid tick.
- Behind the wheel of the Toyota C-HR
- Everything you need to know about electric vehicles
- What is augmented reality?
The app overlays images of the C-HR's drivetrain onto vehicles on the showroom floor, demonstrating how its various elements interact.
Article continues belowThe graphics also feature hotspots that can be tapped to reveal information on key systems including the fuel tank, motor and battery.
Under the skin
The C-HR falls into the 'small SUV' category – compact enough for city driving, but able to seat five adults comfortably. When we put the car through its paces, we found it ideal for just that, with smooth acceleration and a sporty design that sets it apart from the conservative looks often associated with hybrids.
It might not be as exciting as Audi's Holoride in-car VR platform, but Toyota hopes that the new AR app will help you better understand what goes on beneath that slick chassis.
Sign up for breaking news, reviews, opinion, top tech deals, and more.

Cat is TechRadar's Homes Editor, covering smart home tech, kitchen appliances, vacuums, haircare and more. She's been a tech journalist for 15 years, having worked on print magazines including PC Plus and PC Format, and is a Speciality Coffee Association (SCA) certified barista. Whether you want to invest in some smart lights, find your ideal hair styler, or pick the espresso machine of your dreams, she's the right person to help.