The Toyota C-HR+ The small electric SUV is the successor to the Japanese giant’s somewhat late entry into the electric vehicle (EV) market, the bZ4X mid-size electric SUV.
In contrast to the unconventional looks of the – unconventionally named – bZ4X, the C-HR+ takes on a more stylish appearance, in keeping with the company’s newfound penchant for sharp lines and edgy designs.
Despite the familiar name, the 2026 Toyota C-HR+ shares no exterior features with the existing C-HR Hybrid. In fact, it’s larger than its hybrid namesake in virtually every direction and only slightly smaller than the bZ4X – which could cause problems for the updated version of the latter when it arrives at dealers.
The exact product offering for the C-HR+ in Australia has yet to be confirmed, but in European markets it will be available with a choice of 57.7 kWh (54 kWh usable) or 77 kWh (72 kWh usable) batteries with front- or all-wheel drive. We got behind the wheel at the European launch in Portugal to see what it’s like.
How much does the Toyota C-HR+ cost?
Pricing and specification levels have yet to be announced, but Toyota Australia has confirmed it will be offered in two model grades, with prices expected to be below the bZ4X’s base price of $55,990 before on-road costs.
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What does the Toyota C-HR+ look like inside?
As you’d expect, everything inside the C-HR+ looks and feels very Toyota, and the quality of materials and workmanship appear to be of a very good standard.
Aesthetically, the interior is a bit drab, as it seems like Toyota designers haven’t quite grasped the concept of adding brighter colors to the elevator car’s ambiance.
That being said, there is an acceptable amount of space in the cabin, with a driver’s seat that is electrically adjustable in higher grades and offers enough support and adjustability to make you comfortable.
The small – but thankfully round – steering wheel feels good in the hand and has large rows of proper buttons on either side of the airbag, easy to reach with your thumb. Plenty of scope for reach and tilt adjustment is another plus, although it’s far too light for the steering wheel to obscure part of the 7.0-inch digital instrument display.
What’s even more annoying is that two of the most important parts of driving an electric vehicle – battery charge percentage and remaining range – are most easily blocked by the steering wheel, depending on your seating position.
The 14-inch touchscreen is positioned high and easy to reach. Toyota’s native infotainment system isn’t that complicated, and we like that it has the right knobs on the display to adjust the cabin temperature on either side. These have a nice little digital display that shows the setting.
The center console is a practical affair too, with two wireless charging pads on top, in front of the same rotary drive selector used on the bZ4X. There are two cup holders in the middle and the wide center armrest is hinged on both sides, making it just as easy to open for the driver as it is for the front passenger.
There is additional storage space and USB charging ports under the center console.
Although the C-HR+ has a slim profile, rear passenger space is respectable, although access via the rear doors could be better. Because the battery is anchored to the floor, the distance between it and the seat is smaller, leaving your legs without support.
Headroom is fine and there’s enough legroom for average-sized adults, but the front seats are placed low, so there’s not much room to stretch your feet underneath.
The boot is pretty similar to the slightly larger bZ4X at 416 litres.
| Dimensions | Toyota C-HR+ |
|---|---|
| length |
4520mm |
| Width |
1870mm |
| Height |
1595mm |
| wheelbase |
2750mm |
| Loading capacity |
416L |
What’s under the hood?
The Toyota C-HR+ is available with three powertrains. However, it is not yet confirmed which ones will be available when the car launches in Australia.
|
Specifications |
C-HR+ FWD |
C-HR FWD 77 kWh |
C-HR+ AWD |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Drivetrain |
Single engine electric |
Single engine electric |
Twin-motor electric drive |
|
battery |
57.7 kWh lithium-ion |
77 kWh lithium-ion |
77 kWh lithium-ion |
|
Performance |
123kW |
165kW |
252kW |
|
Torque |
269 Nm |
269 Nm |
269 kW (front) + 170 Nm (rear) |
|
Drive type |
Front wheel drive |
Front wheel drive |
Four-wheel drive |
|
Weight |
1810-1845kg |
1885-1985 kg |
2010-2080kg |
|
0-100 km/h (claimed) |
8.4 seconds |
7.3 seconds |
5.2 seconds |
|
Claimed area |
456km |
609km |
546km |
|
Max. AC charging rate |
11kW |
11kW |
11 kW (standard) |
|
Max. DC charging rate |
150kW |
150kW |
150kW |
Unless Toyota Australia is looking for a lower price, it could opt to forgo the smaller 57.7kWh battery and only offer the larger capacity version, which also offers a significantly longer range.
All versions feature the standard 11kW AC charging rate, but we think the optional 22kW is a worthwhile consideration for some buyers, depending on how and where they typically charge.
Compared to other manufacturers such as Hyundai and Kia, the maximum DC fast charging power is much lower at 150 kW. However, with a claimed 28-minute charge time of 10 to 80 percent, it appears the Toyota can maintain consistent charging performance throughout the session.
How does the Toyota C-HR+ drive?
As we have come to expect from Toyota, the C-HR+ is a very sensible and reasonably predictable car. The front-wheel drive model we first tested was equipped with the larger battery and had a 165 kW motor, with power matching the car’s chassis.
It drives very well in city traffic, the suspension is firm but not stiff. The damping seems well sorted and it goes over speed bumps without losing composure.
Once you get a little out of town and find some corners, the body control remains well in hand and there is little to no body roll when changing direction. The firmness of the ride never diminishes, although it isn’t unsettled either.
The power from the mid-engine is sufficient, but does not affect steering or trigger unwanted torque steer.
You get four levels of selectable energy recovery via large paddle shifters on the back of the steering wheel. At the lowest setting there is an effective sailing mode that is good for highway driving. However, if you choose it the other way, it doesn’t offer a true one-pedal driving experience.
Switching to the more powerful dual-motor version has shown that the handling with the larger wheels (in this case 20-inch rims) is not affected. While the torque jump from 269 Nm to 385 Nm doesn’t seem that extreme on paper, the move to 252 kW makes the C-HR+ feel completely different.
Pull-off is quick at virtually any speed, almost too quick for the target buyer, but it always feels quite controlled and the brake pedal feel is nice and consistent.
The steering is precise, but doesn’t provide the kind of feedback that makes driving it as fun or more exciting than anything else it’s up against. In that sense, it’s a real Toyota – very good in most areas, but ultimately a bit boring.
What do you get?
Australian specifications for the Toyota C-HR+ have not yet been confirmed, although in other markets the car will be sold in Mid (FWD, smallest battery), Mid+ (FWD, but with the large drive package) and High (AWD dual motor with the larger battery) specifications, with more equipment fitted as the drive level increases.
The following list is not exhaustive, but we assume that the base car has all of the items mentioned and more.
Options and/or standard equipment on the higher-spec vehicles include 20-inch wheels, two wireless smartphone charging pads in the front, and an 800-watt JBL premium audio setup with nine speakers and a 9.0-inch subwoofer.
Equipment highlights of the Toyota C-HR+ 2026:
- 14 inch infotainment screen
- 7-inch digital cluster on the driver’s side
- 64-color ambient interior lighting
- 18-inch alloy wheels
- Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity
- Voice control
- Audio system with six speakers
- Dual zone climate control
- Heated front seats and steering wheel
- Heat pump
- Environmentally friendly interior materials
- Safe exit assistant
- Blind spot monitoring
- Adaptive high beam system
- Parking brake
- Autonomous emergency braking
Is the Toyota C-HR+ safe?
The Euro NCAP and ANCAP results for the Toyota C-HR+ have not yet been announced, but given the numerous safety features it is equipped with, we expect it to do well.
How much does it cost to run the Toyota C-HR+?
Judging by the after-sales support the company offers for the bZ4X, the C-HR+ should be covered by the standard five-year, unlimited mileage warranty, which can be extended to seven years for the powertrain as long as the vehicle is serviced annually in the Toyota network.
In addition, Toyota offers the industry-standard eight-year performance guarantee on the battery itself and assures that it will still have at least 70 percent of its original capacity after this period. The battery comes with a five-year warranty, which can be extended to ten years if the vehicle is tested annually.
Toyota’s electric vehicle maintenance interval is typically every 12 months or 15,000 km. Therefore, we expect the C-HR+ to fall within these parameters when it eventually goes on sale here.
CarExperts opinion on the Toyota C-HR+
There’s a lot to like about the C-HR+, from its clean design to its overall size and packaging, so much so that it quickly becomes a more attractive candidate than the bZ4X, even when you take the slight size differences into account.
That decision could become even easier when the full pricing and product offering for the C-HR+ is revealed, and while the dual-motor version packs a punch, the 77kWh front-wheel-drive variant appears to be the real sweet spot.
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