Toyota unveiled a new electric car today, signaling more commitment to pure EVs after taking a bit longer than its competitors to warm up to the idea.
The C-HR hits dealers in 2026 and joins Toyota’s first EV, the newly renamed bZ, in the Japanese automaker’s slim electric lineup. Toyota hasn’t revealed the price yet, but a few signs point to it being an affordable pick.
2026 C-HR (Credit: Toyota)
The C-HR has up to a 290-mile range, which is solid for everyday driving but below the bZ’s 314 miles. It’s also a compact crossover, compared to the bZ’s larger body. The C-HR also has a smaller trunk, at 25.4 cubic feet of cargo space compared with the bZ’s 27.7 cubic feet.
Like the bZ, the C-HR runs on Toyota’s e-TNG battery platform and features a NACS charge port, which is compatible with Tesla Superchargers without an adapter. The two cars both have 338 horsepower and charge from 10% to 80% in 30 minutes on a public fast charger “under ideal conditions,” meaning drivers will likely experience slower speeds as well.
2026 C-HR (Credit: Toyota)
Tech-wise, the C-HR features the same 14-inch touch screen and customizable ambient lighting as the bZ. It comes with two wireless smartphone chargers and rear-cabin USB ports. It supports wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
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When considered as a whole, the specs for the C-HR and bZ are so similar—and revealed one day apart—that we reached out to Toyota for clarification on the main differences. A spokesperson confirmed: “[The] primary difference comes down to size, it’s a bit shorter in length and height. The styling cues are slightly different on the front and rear quarters as well. From a handling perspective, the smaller form will impact overall feel and there will also be some differences in the suspension components, with additional details shared closer to on-sale date.”
This isn’t necessarily a bad thing. It actually points to Toyota trying to create a cohesive EV lineup that it could grow. Most brands standardize the “design language” for vehicles in a similar class, though they have more standard naming conventions than Toyota is offering here. The Volvo EX90, for example, is Volvo’s flagship electric SUV, and informs the more affordable EX30.
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C-HR dash (Credit: Toyota)
The C-HR will come in two trim options, the SE and XSE. Both have the same 290-mile range, but the top-of-the-line XSE has the option to add on nicer interior and exterior finishes, an 8-way power passenger seat, driver memory seat, digital rearview mirror, traffic jam assist, and lane change assist.
It also features a suite of self-driving features, such as pre-collision warnings, pedestrian detection, dynamic cruise control, lane departure alert with steering assist, and automatic high beams. Although Toyota doesn’t offer hands-free driving like some others do, the C-HR comes with Proactive Driving Assist. It uses “the vehicle’s camera and radar, when system operating conditions are met, to provide gentle braking and/or steering to support driving tasks,” Toyota says.
2026 Toyota C-HR (Credit: Toyota)
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This article was published by WTVG on 2025-05-14 07:00:00
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