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Toyota’s C-HR Returns To America But It’s Nothing Like You Remember

  • Toyota is bringing the C-HR nameplate back to the US, this time on an EV.
  • The crossover gets a 338 hp dual-motor setup, goes 0-60 mph in 5 seconds.
  • C-HR shares platform with new BZ (a facelifted bZ4X) but is shorter and lower.

Three years after disappearing from US Toyota dealers, the C-HR is back. But it’s not like you remember it. What was once a puny combustion crossover that struggled to get out its own way is now an all electric fastback that can out-accelerate Toyota’s own affordable performance hero, the GR86.

Toyota’s C-HR announcement wasn’t a complete surprise. The same basic car, but badged C-HR+, made its worldwide premiere in Europe only a few weeks back and we reported at the time that it was expected to be confirmed for sale in the US soon.

More: Toyota Kills bZ4X To Welcome The And More Powerful bZ

The C-HR rides on the same e-TNGA 2.0 platform as the new BZ, which is what Toyota is calling the facelifted version of the bZ4X. But the C-HR’s 108.2-inch (2,750 mm) wheelbase is 4 inches (102 mm) shorter than the BZ’s and it gets a sportier fastback coupe-style tail instead of the SUV’s squarer, more practical rear end.

One Powertrain, No Choices, But Plenty of Power

Another big difference is in the choice of powertrains and batteries. While BZ buyers get to pick from a menu, C-HR buyers get no choice at all, the only available configuration being a dual-motor, all-wheel drive setup that makes 338 hp (343 PS / 252 kW). It gets the crossover to 60 mph (97 km/h) in 5 seconds, or 1.1 seconds faster than a GR86. The 165 hp (167 hp / 123 kW) and 221 (224 PS / 165 kW) single-motor front-wheel drive versions available in Europe aren’t coming to the US.

 Toyota’s C-HR Returns To America But It’s Nothing Like You Remember

Battery options are also limited, the only power pack making it into US-spec cars being a 77 kWh unit that Toyota says is good for around 290 miles (467 km) of driving before you need to find a charger. An 11 kW onboard charger is standard, as is an NACS port, but the 150 kW peak charging speed is nothing to write home about. A 10-80 percent fill takes around 30 minutes.

Inside the C-HR, there’s more commonality with the new BZ, which shares its 14-inch touchscreen media system. You get that screen, heated front seats, power liftgate and two wireless phone chargers on both SE and XSE grades. But going for the XSE upgrades the 18-inch wheels to 20s, adds a memory for the driver’s seat, 8-way power to the passenger’s and brings other goodies like Lane Change Assist and a Panoramic View Monitor.

When Can You Get One?

Although we’re getting our first look at the North American C-HR now, Toyota says it won’t be available until 2026. While pricing will be revealed closer to the on-sale date, it’s expected that the new C-HR will start from around $35,000. This should give it some breathing room compared to the slightly larger bZ, which is expected to kick off in the low $40,000s.

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Toyota’s New C-HR+ EV May Launch In The US Next Year

  • European versions of the C-HR+ will be offered with 57.7 kWh and 77 kWh battery packs.
  • The design of the new electric SUV bears a resemblance to the existing C-HR.
  • A dual-motor version of the Toyota C-HR+ delivers an impressive 338 hp.

Toyota has added a new EV to its range, and it’s one that no one really saw coming. Dubbed the C-HR+, it’s similar in name to the existing C-HR sold in international markets, but it is bigger and is expected to be sold in the United States next year. So far, it’s only been announced in European specification and slots below the larger bZ4X in the Toyota family.

Despite what the name of the C-HR+ might have you believe, it is not based on the gas-powered C-HR, and, instead, has the same e-TNGA 2.0 platform as the bZ4X. Unlike that model that’s often panned for its weird looks, the C-HR+ is much sleeker and more refined. Whether or not that helps it sell better than the bZ4X remains to be seen, but it’s a good start.

Read: 2025 Toyota bZ4X Gets $6,000 Price Cut, New Nightshade Edition

The new Toyota C-HR+ sits on a 108.2-inch (2,750 mm) wheelbase, exactly four inches shorter than the wheelbase of the bZ4X. The brand says the C-HR+ is more catered towards singles and couples, whereas the bZ4X is a family car. As developing and building new EVs from scratch is very costly, Toyota is using similar powertrain options to the bZ4X.

 Toyota’s New C-HR+ EV May Launch In The US Next Year

Base models in Europe will feature a 57.7 kWh battery pack and a single electric motor driving the front wheels, delivering 165 hp (123 kW). Toyota says this model will be good for 283 miles (455 km) of range on the WLTP cycle and can hit 62 mph (100 km/h) in a respectable 8.6 seconds. A more powerful FWD version with a 77 kWh pack has also been announced, kicking out 221 hp (165 kW) and boasting 373 miles (600 km) of range while dropping its 0-62 mph sprint time to 7.4 seconds.

Sitting at the top of the C-HR+ family will be a twin-motor, all-wheel drive model with 338 hp (252 kW), a 77 kWh battery pack, and a 0-62 mph time of 5.2 seconds. This model has a claimed range of 326 miles (525 km).

The Electric Toyota Americans Have Been Waiting For?

Toyota has not confirmed if the C-HR+ will be sold in the US, and in a statement issued to Carscoops, simply said, “We have no U.S. product announcements at this time.” However, offering the C-HR+ locally will help the brand meet the Advanced Clean Car II sales regulations in six states that’ll go into effect for the 2026MY.

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