Toyota’s All-Electric C-HR Is Back, and It’s Nothing Like the Old One
Let’s be real — the old Toyota C-HR didn’t exactly leave a lasting impression. It was decent, but not exciting. But now? Toyota has completely flipped the script with the new 2026 all-electric C-HR. Honestly, it feels like a whole new model. It’s got sharp looks, serious performance, and it’s way more confident. The big news? This new C-HR can go from 0 to 60 mph in just 5 seconds, which is wild when you remember how tame the older versions used to be.
Dual-Motor Power Makes a Big Difference
In the U.S., the new C-HR will only be available with dual electric motors — and that setup gives it a pretty bold 338 horsepower. That’s more than enough for your daily drives and even for fun weekend trips. Toyota says this new C-HR is powerful enough to keep up with some performance-oriented EVs. It’s not a sports car, sure, but it’s no slouch either. In fact, it's quicker than their GR86 sports coupe, which is kind of shocking.
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European customers will also get options with lower horsepower — a 165 hp version and a 221 hp one — but those aren’t coming to the U.S. Toyota seems focused on making the American version feel more premium and performance-driven.
Toyota Wants This C-HR to Feel Premium
Toyota’s not being shy about its goals here. They actually said they benchmarked this C-HR against both normal and premium competitors — and they believe it fits in with the premium group now. That’s a big shift in tone for the C-HR brand, and it’s pretty clear that Toyota’s aiming higher this time. Marketing and engineering folks from Toyota have said they wanted this car to feel more exciting and upscale, and not just because it’s an EV.
They’ve done some solid work on the interior and exterior too. It’s more refined and feels better put together. The design looks sharp and more modern, and the cabin has been upgraded in a noticeable way.
Not a Sports Car, But Definitely Quick Enough
Let’s not get carried away — this isn’t trying to compete with cars like the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N or the Kia EV6 GT. But it is close to the EV6 GT-Line AWD, which has similar horsepower and acceleration. The 5-second 0–60 time puts it in good company, especially when you think about how just a few years ago, only expensive performance cars could hit that.
For most drivers, this level of power is more than enough. You get the smooth, fast response of an EV, along with Toyota’s reputation for reliability, which is kind of a sweet combo.
