Toyota has broadened its electric vehicle portfolio with the unveiling of the C-HR+, a new model that has taken many by surprise. This vehicle, while bearing a name reminiscent of the existing C-HR found in international markets, represents a significant departure, boasting larger dimensions and a design tailored for potential introduction into the United States market in the coming year. Currently, the C-HR+ has been introduced in European specifications, positioning itself as a smaller, more compact electric offering within Toyota's lineup, slotting neatly below the larger bZ4X.
Despite its name suggesting a derivation from the gasoline-powered C-HR, the C-HR+ is built upon the same e-TNGA 2.0 platform that underpins the bZ4X. However, unlike the bZ4X, which has faced criticism for its unconventional styling, the C-HR+ presents a more refined and streamlined aesthetic. Whether this enhanced visual appeal will translate into stronger sales figures compared to the bZ4X remains to be seen, but it certainly marks a promising start for the new model.
The Toyota C-HR+ features a 2,750 mm wheelbase, a dimension that is precisely four inches shorter than that of the bZ4X. Toyota has positioned the C-HR+ as a vehicle designed to cater to the needs of singles and couples, while the bZ4X is marketed as a more family-oriented option. Given the substantial costs associated with developing and manufacturing new electric vehicles from the ground up, Toyota is leveraging shared powertrain components with the bZ4X to optimize efficiency and reduce expenses.
In the European market, the base model of the C-HR+ will feature a 57.7 kWh battery pack and a single electric motor driving the front wheels, delivering 165 horsepower. Toyota claims that this configuration will offer a range of 455 kilometers on the WLTP cycle and can accelerate from 0 to 100 kilometers per hour in a respectable 8.6 seconds. A more powerful front-wheel-drive variant, equipped with a 77 kWh battery pack, has also been announced, producing 221 horsepower and boasting a range of 600 kilometers, while reducing the 0-62 mph sprint time to 7.4 seconds. At the top of the C-HR+ lineup will be a dual-motor, all-wheel-drive model, delivering a robust 338 horsepower, paired with a 77 kWh battery pack, and achieving a 0-62 mph time of 5.2 seconds. This high-performance variant is claimed to offer a range of 525 kilometers.
While Toyota has not officially confirmed the introduction of the C-HR+ into the United States market, and in a statement to Carscoops, has only said “We have no U.S. product announcements at this time,” the potential for its arrival remains a topic of speculation. Offering the C-HR+ locally would be strategically advantageous for Toyota, as it would assist the brand in meeting the stringent Advanced Clean Car II sales regulations, which are set to take effect for the 2026 model year in six states. This regulatory compliance would represent a significant step in Toyota's efforts to expand its electric vehicle presence in the United States.