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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

By: DocMemory
Copyright © 2023 CST, Inc. All Rights Reserved