Toyota this morning revealed an all-new car with a familiar name. The little Toyota C-HR SUV will return to the U.S. for 2026. This time, it will be an electric vehicle (EV).
Toyota hasn’t revealed pricing for the 2026 C-HR. We anticipate a starting figure in the mid-$30,000 range for competitive reasons.
Remember the C-HR?
Toyota sold a subcompact crossover under the C-HR name in the U.S. from the 2018 to 2022 model years.
It was a bold-looking car, tiny but with bulging proportions and unusual rear doors with high-mounted handles. Toyota said the name stood for “coupe, high-riding.”
It looked more dramatic than it drove. Despite its SUV styling, it came only in front-wheel drive (FWD). But Toyota’s proven reliability and a low price convinced plenty of Americans to take one home. They’re still a common sight.
290-Mile Range, 338 HP
This time around, the C-HR may be able to cash the check its sporty-SUV looks write.
Toyota will sell it with just one powertrain. That setup uses a pair of electric motors, one per axle, for standard all-wheel drive (AWD). Power is up to 338 horsepower – more than double what the last C-HR put out.
Toyota estimates a 0-60 mph time of five seconds. That won’t break any records, but it would shock anyone who drove the last model to wear the name.
It uses a relatively small battery, at 74.7 kWh. That’s good for 290 miles between charging sessions, Toyota says. It carries a North American Charging System (NACS) port, giving it access to Tesla’s Supercharger network.
Bigger Than It Used to Be
The new C-HR will still slot in below the compact Toyota bZ in the lineup. But it has grown, now similar in size to the Hyundai Kona Electric and Kia Niro EV.
It brings back some of the angry-pug attitude of the old C-HR. But the look is now sharper, with creases and the same grinning front end as the newer Camry and Prius designs.
Toyota will offer 18- and 20-inch wheels, and paint options including one- and two-color schemes.
Inside, it closely resembles the larger 2026 Toyota bZ. The minimalist dashboard is dominated by a large 14-inch touchscreen mounted high so the driver doesn’t have to look down from the road to use it. The driver faces a digital gauge cluster. Dual wireless charging pads let the driver and front passenger charge their phones at the same time.
Toyota will offer just two trim levels, SE and XSE. Even the lower-priced SE will come with heated front seats and steering wheel. The XSE adds SofTex faux-suede upholstery, a power driver’s seat, driver seat memory, panoramic monitor, and more.
The 2026 Toyota C-HR is expected to arrive at Toyota dealerships next year.
