Toyota's Smallest SUV Returns In 2026 With Battery-Electric Power
Coming later this year, the 2026 Toyota C-HR heralds the return of a once-popular nameplate to US showrooms, although the latest iteration of the subcompact crossover is different from its forebear. Now available solely with electric power, the new C-HR – which was already revealed for a global market – is a sporty, stylish EV that'll give Toyota shoppers a slightly more characterful choice than the recently updated bZ.
The C-HR Has Some Classy New Duds
The last Toyota C-HR was a bit of an odd one, with vaguely frog-like proportions and massive headlights that swept back almost the entirety of the front fender – the design had lots of personality, but it drew mixed reactions. However, the 2026 model is much less polarizing while still being attractive. The fastback shape is still there, but the new C-HR is rendered with crisper lines than its curvy, rounded predecessor. The front end throws much of the same energy as the 2026 bZ, with sharp LED daytime running lights and bumper-mounted headlights, but the design looks nicer on the smaller crossover since it was designed this way from the outset. The rear is equally snazzy, with full-width taillights that look inspired by punch-card computer programs of the 1960s.
That said, the old C-HR couldn't be confused for anything else on the road. The same can't be said for the new model, whose up-kicked beltline and black-painted roof reminds us a bit of the Lexus RX or previous-generation Nissan Murano. Meanwhile, the front end graphic takes abundant inspiration from the Toyota Prius, rather than cutting its own path. None of those comparisons are necessarily negative, mind; the C-HR EV just isn't quite as distinctive as its internal-combustion predecessor.
Power And Personality For The Newest Toyota EV
Unlike the Toyota bZ, the C-HR will come standard with dual motors and a large-capacity battery. Every iteration will come standard with a 74.7-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion unit that provides around 290 miles of estimated range – unlike the bZ, which offers a base 57.7-kWh battery alongside the same larger unit. The C-HR's front and rear motors make 338 horsepower combined, matching the all-wheel-drive bZ that also offers 168- and 221-hp front-drive variants for customers who don't need the extra go-juice. That seems to suggest that the C-HR will be more of a premium offering in the Toyota EV lineup, contrary to its former status as a cheap, spunky, entry-level crossover. All The Latest Cabin, Safety, And Charging Technology
The cabin of the 2026 Toyota C-HR looks similar to that of the bZ, with the same 14.0-inch touchscreen display and Toyota's novel high-mounted instrument cluster. The C-HR's center stack also incorporates twin wireless charging pads, although the console design is a bit more angular. The dashboard trim also looks more intricate, with prominent ambient lighting and a minimalist look that helps the interior feel open and modern. Available in SE and XSE trims, the C-HR also gets sporty-looking front bucket seats, upholstered in cloth and SofTex faux leather on the base trim or synthetic suede and SofTex on the flagship.
As expected of a modern car, there are abundant active safety and driver-assist features in the form of Toyota Safety Sense 3.0. Lane centering and tracing assistance join with full-speed adaptive cruise control to alleviate a lot of fatigue on long trips or in gridlock, and both trims come standard with blind spot monitoring. Go for the XSE and you'll also get Traffic Jam Assist, a system that can provide hands-free, supervised operation at speeds below 25 mph.
The technology carries through when it's time to stop and charge. The 2026 Toyota C-HR joins a growing list of EVs to come standard with a NACS port, allowing it to take advantage of certain Tesla Superchargers and an ever-expanding network of public charging stations. Toyota didn't admit to US-spec charging speeds, but the C-HR EV's European twin – known as the C-HR+ to differentiate it from the otherwise unrelated second-generation C-HR internal-combustion crossover – is capable of 150-kilowatt DC fast charging.
Coming Soon To A Toyota Dealer Near You
