Is this noise just at low speed and/or reversing? If so it is likely an inbuilt noise which all new cars are required to have by law to assist pedestrians in being able to hear what is otherwise - like all hybrids - a very quiet car.

It's a requirement that all vehicles which have an EV mode have a sound to attract the attention of pedestrians.
It may not sound great but I suppose it's better than a constant reversing alarm, lol.

I don’t understand. My C-HR sounds very smooth and quiet. Have you tried taking your vehicle to a Toyota garage for examination

What year is your C-HR?

I bought my car brand new in June 2021

Ah, OK. I wondered as the 'noise' wasn't required on the earlier models. Mine now is same age as yours. The noise isn't deafening, but obviously to be heard and only in EV mode

In my car there’s a low whine in E V at low speeds but I can’t describe it as sounding like metal on metal. Hope this helps you!

Me? I'm fine. Think the OP may have overplayed the effect of the sound, unless they have a major problem of course. I think that some people, if they don't know about the rule, wonder what the noise is.

Maybe you’re right! Though I can’t think that it sounds like metal on metal! It’s a very smooth quiet whine!

Yeah. Suppose it depends on your imagination. 🤣🤣

Could be!

Hi Terry, this is perfectly normal if your cruising in hybrid mode, the noise is to alert pedestrians as otherwise the car is so silent, my previous C-hr was a 2019 model and didn’t make this noise so I was quite alarmed when I picked up my 2022 Gr sport in august and she makes this exact same noise as you are describing, but I actually am used to it now and it doesn’t really bother me

Sorry but I don’t feel that the noise when in electric mode sounds like metal on metal! I described it as a smooth quiet whine.