Toyota C-HR+ EV arrives with 338bhp and 373-mile range

Toyota has confirmed that its new coupe-crossover EV will be called the C-HR+ and will go on sale later this year as the most powerful non-GR Toyota.

The electric companion to the BZ4X was teased in images in February, but has now been fully unveiled, with Toyota confirming that it will share the C-HR name with its existing hybrid and plug-in hybrid crossover.

However, the Toyota C-HR+ is an entirely different model from the petrol/electric pair and is built on the same EV platform as the recently updated BZ4X.

Like the new BZ4X, the C-HR+ will come with a choice of battery sizes and motors, which Toyota says will meet different customers’ needs, whether they want to focus on performance or efficiency.

Thanks to different development schedules, the Toyota C-HR+ has been able to take advantage of newer battery technology, meaning it will be offered with a 57.7kWh or 77kWh battery. In its most efficient guise, using the 77kWh battery and a single front-mounted 221bhp motor, the C-HR+ should offer up to 373 miles of range. The smaller battery will only be offered in front-wheel-drive variants, with a 165bhp motor, while an all-wheel-drive version will use the larger battery and offer 338bhp. That makes it the most powerful Toyota model not to wear a GR badge, and gives it a 0-62mph time of 5.2 seconds.

Aiming to address early criticism of the BZ4X, the C-HR+ will come as standard with a battery pre-condition system, plus a heat pump, heated seats, steering wheel and front windscreen to cut energy consumption from the heating system. All models will feature 150kW DC charging and 11kW AC charging, with optional 22kW charging on higher grade models.

Toyota says that the C-HR+ will retain the fun-to-drive character of the hybrid models which, in fairness to Toyota, are marginally more entertaining to drive than some rivals. While sharing a platform with the larger BZ4X, the C-HR+ gets bespoke chassis and suspension tuning for a more responsive drive.

The Japanese brand has also tried to carry over some of the striking styling of the hybrid C-HR. EV Powered got an early look at the C-HR+ and it does indeed have a family resemblance thanks to the wide, angular front end with its C-shape headlights and deep creases in the doors. However, the roofline slopes far more, creating a fastback style compared with the hybrids’ upright hatchback, and featuring a roof spoiler and tailgate ‘ducktail’ shape designed to improve aerodynamics and efficiency.

The C-HR+ is almost 20cm longer than the hybrid, and Toyota claims that thanks to a 2,750mm wheelbase, it will offer passenger space to rival cars from the class above and plenty of headroom, despite the sloping roof. It will also feature a 416-litre boot, which is marginally smaller than many C-segment rivals.

Full specifications are still to be announced but the C-HR+ will come with a 14-inch infotainment and Toyota Safety Sense driver assistance as standard. Twin wireless charging docks and rear USB ports are also confirmed and higher-grade cars will come with a panoramic sunroof.

Production of the C-HR+ will begin in late 2025 with a full roll-out in 2026. There’s no word on price but it will be more expensive than the hybrid C-HR, which starts at £39,145.

The C-HR+ will be the third EV from Toyota, sitting alongside the BZ4X and Urban Cruiser, and coming ahead of three more models due before 2026.