In late 2017, Toyota revealed the 2018 C-HR SUV at the Geneva Auto Show. It had been on the market in Europe for a year by that time, and it was doing well—after all, it was a compact and affordable SUV with a chic, modern look, so it would do well in America, right? Wrong. It was discontinued just four years later, largely because Corolla Cross and Corolla Cross Hybrid’s sales essentially shoved the little fledgling from the nest.
In addition to competition with its own siblings, the C-HR faced very stiff competition from Honda at the time, with the similarly named HR-V. And let’s be honest—competition wasn’t incredibly fierce. The C-HR was affordable, with a starting price of around $22,000, but you definitely got what you paid for. There was no AWD drive option like there was in the Corolla Cross; it was fairly underpowered, the rear seats were compact and uncomfortable, and it was very bare bones.
It would have been perfect for first-time buyers looking to upgrade to an entry-level SUV from a beat-up Corolla, but that’s about it. For 2026, Toyota is aiming to change that. It still retains a lot of heritage design details, but this time, it delivers a lot more power, more comforts and conveniences, and the rear seats are much more comfortable.
This story is 100% human-researched and written based on actual first-person knowledge, extensive experience, and expertise on the subject of cars and trucks.
Did We Mention She’s All-Electric Now?
Instead of a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that produces a lackluster 144 horsepower, the refreshed 2026 C-HR is all-electric, with two electric motors in the front and back that help it produce 338 horsepower. All-wheel drive is standard this time around, and since it’s built on Toyota’s new EV SUV platform, it’s wide and rigid—making it sporty in all the right places.
The range is estimated to be around 290 miles on a full charge, which is plenty for bouts around town and even a little farther. Charging will be faster and a little bit more reliable with a standard NACS charging port. So, you can charge at all the vast and reliable Tesla Superchargers. Regenerative Braking levels can be adjusted with paddles on the steering wheel, so longer trips and traffic can help get some power back into the battery without ever using the brake (if you choose to have it that aggressive—I usually have it on the lowest level).
You can also toggle between four different types of kinetic energy generation, which makes it a little easier to find small ways to help put some juice back in the battery. Toyota says the C-HR can be charged from 10 to 80% in about 30 minutes, but Toyota makes it pretty clear it’s only under the “right conditions,” so, basically if you’re charging in Southern California, where it’s never too humid, too warm, too cold, or too dry. And in a garage.
Regardless, the shift from gas to electric helps propel the company towards the all-electric future it’s always wanted—and the C-HR will get another chance to become popular in America.
READ MORE: Meet the 2018 Toyota C-HR: A Small Crossover Built For You, Miss Millennial
The Rear Seats, Among Other Things, Have Been Improved
When we reviewed the attainable and peppy little SUV, we weren’t fond of the passenger comfort. The rear seats, in particular, were lacking. This time, Toyota learned from their mistake and made it a point to note how comfortable the rear seats are, and how easy they are to access and enjoy because of the increase in interior space.
The abysmal sound system and media center will be more modernized too, coming with a large 14-inch touchscreen and a very lovely 9-speaker system from JBL. If you like a little extra oomph, you can add a 9-inch subwoofer to the little SUV. Like the RAV4 and bZ (previously the bZ4x), it’ll have a dual wireless charger setup, and the ability to connect two phones at once.
So, now you can’t quote Dean Winchester and say, “Driver picks the music, shotgun shuts his cakehole.” You will, though, get to fight over the charging port, as there will only be one USB-C port in the front. Two are in the rear, though.
READ MORE: Toyota is Getting Serious About EVs, and the 2026 Toyota bZ Shows Just How Much
No Transmission Tunnel = Plenty of Cargo Space
Toyota says the C-HR is compact, and it is—its full length is 177.9 inches, which is just under an inch longer than the Lexus UX. Therefore, it puts it in the same league (size-wise) as the Kia Sportage, Hyundai Tucson, the Honda CR-V, and the Nissan Rogue. Its larger sibling, the RAV4, is only longer by three inches—so, once again, it’ll compete against its own sibling.
This time, however, the C-HR has two distinct advantages to its competition: it’s all-electric, and it has a ton more cargo space. The RAV4 can only be bought as a hybrid, not an EV, so those looking for an EV roughly the same size will go right to the C-HR. Because there’s no transmission tunnel or heavy drivetrain pieces, there’s 25.4 inches of cargo space behind the rear seats. If the seats are in use, rear passengers finally have so much space that they can cross their legs.
The trunk is incredibly spacious, and rear passengers are treated to a plethora of footroom, the improved visibility of a giant sunroof, too. Because it’s much wider than the C-HR before it, there’s more elbow space all around. It’s still a little small for a family, though. For a single person or a couple without kids, it would work best—but roof rails mean a cargo box or basket can be added.
READ MORE: Lexus UX: Is this Compact SUV the Perfect Car for City Life?
Say, “Bye-bye” to Bare Bones Tech
Like we mentioned before, the 2018 C-HR was incredibly basic. It was uncomplicated and didn’t have much. We were lucky to even have A/C in it, it was so stripped down to represent that $22,000 price tag. But that was the point. This time around, Toyota’s putting everything into it.
For 2026, the C-HR will have everything we mentioned above and other goodies, like attractive 18-inch glossy black wheels, rain-sensing wipers, heated front seats and steering wheel, roof rails, and Toyota’s Safety Sense 3.0, which comes with features like Traffic Jam Assist and Lane Change Assist. The 2018 model is hiding its head in shame right about now.
READ MORE: The 7 Best EVs for Families Under $60,000—And Yes, There are Deals Right Now
You’ll Notice The Design Language to Be… Very Similar
If you look at the front end of the new RAV4 and then look at the C-HR, you’ll notice they speak the same dialect of design language. The shape of the C-HR’s headlights are only slightly different from those on the RAV4. The C-HR’s headlights are thinner and more angular, and it lacks a true grille like the RAV4.
It’s a little more fluid, too, with rounded wheel wells instead of squared-off like the RAV4’s. The sloped roofline helps it look sportier while improving aerodynamics, and the front fascia’s sharp (but very complementary) angles are very similar to how the new, chiseled RAV4 looked. Which isn’t bad—it’s a nice look for both SUVs.
On the inside, the interior layout was nearly identical to the RAV4 and the redesigned bZ, likely to help streamline production, but it felt a little disappointing to see the same interior layout copied and pasted through all three of Toyota’s new vehicles. Otherwise, it’s a vast improvement to what we saw back in 2018.
READ MORE: Electric Cars for Single Moms: Pros, Cons and What to Consider in EVs
The C-HR Maintained a Key Detail From its Past
If you haven’t driven the C-HR back when it first came out, one of the first things we noticed was that the rear door handles were embedded in the C-pillars. It looked “futuristic” and helped the C-HR stand out from the crowd.
For 2026, they kept that detail, making the C-HR feel like a true revival and rebrand of the moniker instead of using the name to appeal to nostalgia.
They also kept it relatively small, which was the whole point of the C-HR when it first came out.
We Don’t Know Pricing Yet, But We Hope It’s Fair
The whole goal of the C-HR was that it was an affordable alternative to other cars on the road, without compromising safety and reliability. Toyota hasn’t announced pricing for any of its new cars, and since the new C-HR isn’t due to hit dealer lots until next year, there’s plenty of time to speculate how much it costs.
Since it’s bursting at the seams with technology and EV goodies, it’s not likely to be all that affordable. If anything, we’d wager it’ll float around the bZ4x’s pricing from last year. So, around $45,000 to $47,000 MSRP at the top.
Which isn’t terrible for what you’d be paying, but it would put it right in the middle of a heated battle between the Hyundai IONIQ 5, Kia EV6, Mustang Mach-E, and Volkswagen ID.4. All of which are stellar, fairly priced, and spacious EVs. So, to bring itself out of the fray, it would need to be more affordable than that.
READ MORE: Hyundai IONIQ 5 First Drive: A Pivotal Moment for Hyundai—and for Electric Cars
