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    GREEN CHOICE

    Toyota C-HR

    EPA Range: 290 miles

    Toyota C-HR First Drive

    Summary

    Introduction

    All-New 2026 Toyota C-HR Goes Electric

    Stylish crossover gains size, power, space, and features

    Overview

    The sporty-looking Toyota C-HR returns as a spirited electric vehicle, with 338-horsepower, a 290-mile range, and standard all-wheel drive. These specs alone address some of our chief criticisms of the original model.

    Where the first C-HR felt like an outcast from the youth-focused Scion brand with its heavy use of plastic materials and style-over-function design, this second-generation model promises a significant upgrade in performance, comfort, convenience, and safety features, while retaining a familiar shape.

    It measures 5 inches longer and about 2 inches wider than the original, bringing some welcomed interior space gains. That gives it a larger footprint than the Toyota Corolla Cross, although it sits slightly lower.

    It is based on the e-TNGA electric vehicle platform that has been used throughout a growing roster of battery-powered vehicles, such as the updated Toyota bZ. Here, it is offered in a single powertrain configuration. Toyota claims that the rigidity of this platform has aided suspension tuning, with the pledge of improved refinement.

    The C-HR will be offered in two trims when it goes on sale in fall 2025: SE and XSE.

    The SE will feature several notable conveniences, including heated front seats and steering wheel, power liftgate, Qi wireless phone chargers, and large 14-inch infotainment screen.

    Choosing the XSE steps the wheels up from 18 inches to 20 inches, and allows for two-tone paint schemes. Its seats are upholstered in synthetic leather with a driver memory seat and an eight-way front passenger seat. Other standard features include a digital rearview mirror, lane change assist, surround view cameras, and TrafficJam Assist as part of the adaptive cruise control in stop-and-go traffic.

    Pricing has not been announced yet, but we do have many other details to share. It will go on sale in 2026. The fnal assembly point is Japan.

    The C-HR competes with the Chevrolet Equinox EV, Hyundai Ioniq 5, Nissan Ariya, Volkswagen ID.4, and the Volvo EX30.

    Impressions

    Outside

    Credit to Toyota for making the new C-HR resemble the old one enough that the connection is clear, while gracing the front with the latest brand styling, as also seen on the Toyota Crown Signia, and enlarging the rear side glass (and with it, hopefully improving over-the-shoulder visibility). 

    Standard exterior features like the low-profile roof rails and rain-sensing windshield wipers add value. Unfortunately, Toyota has retained the rear door handles of the original C-HR, which are awkwardly positioned up high near the rear roof pillar.

    Inside

    The cabin is very screen-centric, with a slightly different design than seen in other recent Toyotas. The digital instrument panel is recessed back from the steering wheel. The center infotainment screen looks as if it was borrowed from a Lexus TX, complete with the integrated temperature dials, each fitted with its own circular display.

    The system comes with several trial memberships to connected services, such as Intelligent Assist, which issues plain-language voice commands to program the navigation system or adjust the climate settings. Cloud Navigation downloads the latest data and mapping for route guidance. Wi-Fi Connect allows the vehicle to serve as a mobile hotspot.

    The C-HR SE has a six-speaker audio system. The XSE upgrades the base system to a JBL one with eight speakers plus a subwoofer.

    The stereo has dual Bluetooth capability, allowing two phones to be connected. It also comes with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.

    Two prominent Qi wireless phone chargers dominate the front center console.

    The interior has adjustable accent lighting, adding to the overall electric vibe of this tech-centric car.

    The rear passengers have their own USB ports and climate controls. A panoramic roof is available.

    What Drives It

    The C-HR comes standard with all-wheel drive, enabled by motors in the front and rear. (The original C-HR didn’t even offer AWD.) Together, the motors produce 338 horsepower—that’s a whopping 194 more horsepower than before.

    The motors are backed up by a 74.7-kWh lithium-ion battery. The car has an 11-kW onboard AC charger to facilitate relatively quick Level 2 charging. It also has an NACS charge port, making it compatible with Tesla Superchargers. DC fast charging enables the battery pack to go from 10 percent to 80 percent state-of-charge in about 30 minutes, says Toyota. The C-HR includes a trial for Remote Connect, a subscription service that allows the owner to check charging status, stop/start charging, and adjust charging schedules. It also enables pre-conditioning the cabin, such as warming it on a cold day, while the vehicle is still plugged in.

    Safety and Driver Assistance Systems

    The C-HR comes with Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, featuring automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane departure warning, lane keeping assistance, adaptive cruise control, and automatic high beams. In addition, it has standard blind spot warning, rear cross traffic warning, and a safe exit assist system, which monitors for passing vehicles before it allows passengers to open the doors.

    It includes a five-year trial for the connected safety services, which include an SOS button for emergency assistance, automatic crash notification, and a stolen vehicle locator.

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