2026 Toyota C-HR Up Close: Spunky Questions
The return of the Toyota C-HR was not on my bingo card for this, next or any year, let alone as Toyota’s sporty-ish entry-level all-electric SUV. But here we are, and so is the 2026 Toyota C-HR. As part of the automaker’s mini auto show held at its Texas headquarters, I got some time to poke around the newest Toyota electric vehicle, and I think folks are going to snap this resurrected C-HR up in strong numbers. (Per our ethics policy, Cars.com pays for its own travel and lodging when attending such manufacturer-sponsored events.)
Sharp Looks, Spicy Powertrain
Visually, the C-HR is a sharp, somewhat compact SUV, blending much of the prior gas-only model’s pseudo-hatch appearance with the Toyota bZ’s angularity. This makes complete sense given the C-HR’s significant bZ source material, as it shares the same platform, powertrain, batteries and general interior structure as the larger SUV, albeit with a few key changes.
While the bZ can be had with your choice of single- or dual-motor setups that give you either front- or all-wheel drive, the C-HR is dual-motor all the way. Furthermore, you get just one choice of power, with the standard 74.7-kilowatt-hour battery pack juicing the motors to a tune of a combined 338 horsepower and around 290 miles of range, according to Toyota. Spicy.
That horsepower in a car within 2 inches of the RAV4 means even the basest-of-base C-HR will crack a 0-60 mph time in close to five seconds, according to Toyota. There are no details yet on the mechanical differences between this and the bZ, but I’d be surprised if the C-HR’s chassis wasn’t at least slightly tuned for additional capability and “feel” over the more staid bZ.
Usable Space Inside
The C-HR is a bit compact, but certainly usable. There are 25.4 cubes of space behind the rear seat, per Toyota’s measurements, the latter folding in a 60/40-split configuration for extra hauling alongside an adjustable-height load floor. Regardless of where you sit, it’s a generally comfortable place to be, with only slight headroom issues for tall rear passengers. Kit and kaboodle appears solid, with both available trims arriving with standard heated front seats, a power-adjustable driver’s seat, parking sensors and a power liftgate.
A 14-inch infotainment display is also standard, integrating climate controls and other vehicle functions that were previously separate controls. Personally, I’m not a fan of that, but such is the industry trend; what I am a fan of is the dual wireless device chargers present on the C-HR I futzed with.
The C-HR is a solid, moderately interesting entry into the ever-expanding electric SUV segment. All my cautious praise could be upended, however, if the pricing turns out to be dearer than expected; I’m hoping for a starting price somewhere in the low-to-mid-$30,000 range. Any more than that, and this might be a harder sell against the modestly more expensive bZ and competition like the Hyundai Kona EV and Tesla Model Y.
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