New Toyota C-HR+ Review

Introduction and model history 

We know that the C-HR+ is the latest electric car to join Toyota’s lineup, then, making it the third model after the big bZ4X SUV, and above the smaller Urban Cruiser. 

Although we know the C-HR to be a big favourite in the small SUV class, this new C-HR+ comes in at a fairly chunky 4.5 metres long, and it gets the choice of two batteries offering either 283- or 378 miles of WLTP range. So, in terms of size and range it’s fair to say that this is just as much a rival to bigger electric SUVs like the Peugeot E-3008, Kia EV5, Hyundai Ioniq 5, Renault Scenic, Ford Explorer, VW ID.4 and Skoda Enyaq. 

It’s not short of competition, then, but the C-HR+ has some really persuasive selling points. A ten year, 650,000 mile warranty on the battery, provided you service the car at Toyota? Yes, please. Very good official claimed efficiency, which suggests you’ll be able to get close to 5.0 mile per kWh? Also a big ‘yes’, from us. Four-wheel drive or front-wheel drive models? Hurrah! Something for everyone, you might think.

So, is the new C-HR+ about to steal the crown for best electric family SUV? 

Range, battery and charging

There are two batteries on offer in the 2026 Toyota C-HR+ - the smaller 57.7kWh battery offers a WLTP range of up to 378 miles, or the bigger 77kWh battery manages 283 miles. That’s very competitive with all of those rivals we’ve already mentioned. 

Both are lithium-ion NMC batteries, which is the most common type of battery in today’s EVs. You can read more about the pros and cons of NMC batteries, right here.  

The C-HR+ gets 150kW DC rapid charging, which can charge the Toyota from 10-80% in around 30 minutes at a rapid charger, regardless of which battery you’ve gone for. 

AC charging is up to 11kW in the lower range C-HR+ model, or goes up to 22kW in the long range model, but most owners will charge from a standard 7kW home charger much of the time, which will deliver a full charge in between 9- and 12 hours depending on which battery you’ve gone for.

Practicality and boot space 

Space in the back seats of the C-HR+ is good, but nothing exceptional. There’s enough head- and legroom that even our own Tom Ford could sit behind himself, but people like him (who’ve got longer legs than me!) will find their knees bent upwards because of the high floor. A Skoda Enyaq or a Hyundai Ioniq 5 definitely have better rear passenger space and comfort, to be honest, but the C-HR+ will still be good enough for most families – provided your kids aren’t as tall as Tom… They’ll have a couple of USB-C charging ports to keep their devices charged up, too, as well as their own air vents.

The 416-litre boot is okay, but it’s a way off the size of the boot in an EV3, Scenic or Elroq – never mind an Enyaq! In fact, the Ford Puma Gen-E and Renault 4 have bigger boots than the Toyota C-HR+, despite being smaller cars. Given that the C-HR+ is a big car, that boot space is a tad disappointing, really.

Interior, design/styling and technology 

The interior of the C-HR+ does feel a little bit like an updated version of the bZ4X. You look over the small steering wheel to the digital driver’s readout, and there’s a big 14-incy central touchscreen for all your infotainment needs – including wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It’s a pretty decent system, too, complete with sensible air-con controls that are permanently visible, while the screen is quick to respond and has sharp graphics. 

The optional pano roof is worth adding if you’ve got kids, as it really does add a lot of light and airiness.  

Motors, performance and handling 

The C-HR+ is offered with front-wheel drive on that smaller battery model, or the big battery car is offered with either front- or all-wheel drive. Go for the entry-level car and you get 167hp and 0-62mph in 8.4 seconds, while the big battery car gets 224hp in the single motor model, or a hefty 343hp output in the dual motor – good for 0-62mph in 7.3- or 5.2 seconds, respectively.  

We drove the top-spec, four-wheel drive Toyota C-HR+ with the 77kWh battery, and despite having a sportscar-like sprint time it still feels a bit boring! Which is absolutely fine, of course. Not everything has to be a carnival, but the Toyota seems to roll its eyes if you actually use all of the power, such is the sense of this thing being an everyday, comfort-oriented car – and absolutely not something that you want to fire down the road in close to 5.0-seconds. 

The steering is accurate enough, ride comfort is fine, there isn’t too much wind- or tyre noise, and there are four levels of brake regen’ to choose from. It’s neat and competent all-round, which is likely all you’re going to want from the C-HR+. It just feels rather subdued, in a way that the surprisingly fun Skoda Elroq and Kia EV3 don’t. We’d go for the big battery, front-wheel drive Toyota C-HR+ for the best balance of price, range and calm, confident driving manners. 

Running costs and pricing 

We’ve already mentioned the fairly astonishing battery warranty that Toyota offers on the C-HR+, meaning that the high voltage pack is covered for ten years and 650,000 miles provided you service the car at Toyota dealers. How about that for peace of mind? The vehicle itself is warrantied for three years and 60,000 miles, which is a bit less brilliant given that MG, Kia, Hyndai, Tesla and BYD all offer better standard vehicle warranties.

As for pricing, we’re yet to get official prices for the new Toyota C-HR+ in the UK, but expect it to start from around £35,000, while we’d expect the big battery models to start from just under £40,000.

Verdict 

The Toyota C-HR+ is a very sensible car. It’s got good range, fast charging, and all the peace of mind that a huge battery warranty and Toyota’s many decades at the top of the reliability charts can offer. This is, without doubt, a very solid and recommendable family EV. But it does feel short on charm or character next to cars like the new Nissan Leaf, the Skoda Elroq and the Kia EV3, all of which are also just a bit more practical and enjoyable to drive. 

We need a bit more time in the finished C-HR+ to really make our minds up, but the objective merits of Toyota’s latest electric SUV are impossible to ignore. 

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