When Toyota introduced its first fully electric model – the bZ4x – in 2022, the Chinese automakers were beginning their global offensive with their EVs. Since then, the Chinese brands have been exporting and introducing more and more EVs and with more advanced technologies than Toyota and other Japanese automakers.
It’s not that the Japanese don’t have experience developing EVs – in fact, Toyota’s first production was the RAV4 EV which it sold in the mid-1990s. But Toyota has had a different approach towards achieving carbon neutrality which is to offer different choices (what it calls multi-pathway) rather than just focus on fully electric vehicles as being the only approach.
While it has seemingly been more focussed on hybrid electric vehicles (which it pioneered for mass production in the late 1990s with the Prius), it has also been developing BEVs (battery electric vehicles). With EV technology advancing rapidly, Toyota has been taking time to come out with next-generation technologies. Typical of the Japanese, making sure a product is properly engineered before releasing it to the market is important so they may have taken extra time.
Whether that is still a good idea in this more competitive age remains to be seen although Toyota’s reputation has been built on reliability and it will want to make sure that is not compromised by rushing products into the market.
Now it appears that the automaker has some new technologies ready for the market and, while continuing with its multi-pathway approach, it is refreshing its BEV range. It has also a new model for the high competitive compact SUV segment in Europe – the new C-HR+.
Adapted from the current 2nd generation of the C-HR, the C-HR+ is a new development and besides a unique coupe-suv body and interior, it has a different platform. It is the e-TNGA (Toyota New Global Architecture) which is specially developed for BEVs.
To be offered in selected European markets in late 2025, with a full roll-out to all European markets starting in 2026, the C-HR+ will join the all-new Urban Cruiser and the new bZ4X to cater to the B, C and D-SUV BEV segments.
Understanding different customer needs and priorities, there will be 2 different lithium-ion battery options. A 57.7 kWh pack will be exclusive to the front-wheel drive model and a higher capacity 77 kWh pack will be available for both front and all-wheel drive powertrains. Toyota says that the maximum range will be up to 600 kms (up to 455 kms for the smaller battery)
An 11 kW onboard charger is provided as standard, with a 22 kW unit provided from High grade. DC charging can be done with a power supply of up to 150 kW. A new battery pre-conditioning feature helps to improve charging performance in most conditions.
Toyota has not provided charging times but says its engineers are targeting a rapid-charging time of around 30 minutes in cold conditions by maintaining the battery at a temperature optimal for charging.
Outside the GR performance car range, this will be most powerful model in Toyota’s European line-up. The AWD version is expected to produce 252 kW (343 ps), enabling a 0 – 100 km/h time claimed to be 5.2 seconds. The front-wheel drive model with the 57.7 kWh battery will have a 123 kW (167 ps) motor and when fitted with the 77 kWh battery, the output will be 165 kW (224 ps).
Within the overall body length of 4,520 mm and with the wheelbase of 2,750 mm, the cabin has spacious accommodation with generous headroom and a 900 mm front-rear couple distance. Intelligent packaging has given greater cabin space than is typically expected of a C-segment SUV.
Besides having ambient lighting to add a touch of sophistication, the interior execution has a level of sensory quality usually found in larger models. The roominess and versatility are complemented by a cargo volume of 416 litres. A panoramic moonroof lets natural light in for a more airy ambience.
A 14-inch multimedia display is standard and forms the focal point in the front cabin design. The navigation system includes a dedicated EV routing function that calculates routes with locations of charging stations, according to the car’s state of battery charge and available driving range.
