Key facts
- The 2026 Toyota C-HR starts at $37,080, with AWD standard on the base model.
- The C-HR XSE model tested achieved efficiency suggesting a range of around 400 miles.
- The C-HR can accelerate from 0-60 mph in 4.9 seconds.
- The vehicle's interior is described as airy and comfortable.
- The C-HR's exterior styling is considered attractive and less polarizing than Toyota's bZ4X.
Toyota, a company long recognized for its hybrid technology with the Prius, has been notably slow in developing fully electric vehicles (EVs). While competitors like GM and Ford have aggressively expanded their EV offerings, Toyota's initial EV, the bZ4X, received criticism for its styling, slow charging, and limited range. This cautious approach surprised industry observers, particularly environmentalists who urged the automaker to move away from gasoline-powered hybrids.
However, the EV market has since faced significant challenges, including billion-dollar write-downs and discontinued models. In contrast, Toyota appears to be reversing its strategy, with plans for a more extensive consumer EV lineup in 2026, including the new C-HR.
Reviewer Ben Shimkus drove the 2026 Toyota C-HR XSE, covering approximately 200 miles in New York City and New Jersey. He found the vehicle to be handsome, efficient, and surprisingly sporty. The C-HR starts at $37,080, making it the cheapest way to get an all-wheel-drive Toyota EV, though not Toyota's most affordable EV overall. The tested XSE model, with added features, cost $43,429.
The C-HR's efficiency was a standout feature, with the EPA rating it at 273 miles on a full charge. Shimkus's real-world testing suggested a potential range closer to 400 miles. The car's performance was also impressive, with a 0-60 mph time of 4.9 seconds, placing it among Toyota's quickest vehicles. On the highway, it offered a composed, quiet, and comfortable ride.
A Tesla Model Y owner who accompanied Shimkus was reportedly impressed with the C-HR's airy interior and rear-seat comfort, despite initial skepticism. Aesthetically, the C-HR was praised for its sleek, aggressive design, which is more appealing than the bZ4X and avoids the "look-at-me" styling of some other EVs.
Minor criticisms included a lack of a glovebox, potentially cramped front-seat storage, limited headroom for very tall rear passengers due to the curved roofline, a smaller trunk than the bZ4X, and occasional infotainment lag during startup. Despite these points, Shimkus expressed a rare and strong positive sentiment towards the C-HR, indicating it was a vehicle he could genuinely imagine owning.