Toyota C-HR+ Is Europe's New EV: But Should America Want It?
Published: March 13th, 2025.
Toyota just pulled the wraps off its latest electric crossover, the C-HR+, and if you’re feeling a little déjà vu, you’re not alone. The name suggests it’s just an electrified version of the C-HR Toyota used to sell in the U.S. from 2018 to 2022—but that’s not actually the case. This is an entirely new, bigger, more powerful, fully electric vehicle.
The C-HR+ is launching in Europe first, but would this be the EV that finally makes sense for American drivers?
Toyota’s first attempt at an electric SUV, the bZ4X, was underwhelming. The range wasn’t great, the charging speed was mediocre, and the styling was polarizing. The C-HR+ looks like Toyota’s redo, a second shot at getting the compact EV crossover right.
Why should you care? This is the kind of EV that could actually work for people who aren’t ready to spend $50K+ on an electric car but still want something practical, stylish, and efficient.
Here’s what the C-HR+ offers:
- Two battery options: A 57.7-kWh pack (165 hp, front-wheel drive) or a 77-kWh pack (221 hp, front-wheel drive)
- A dual-motor, all-wheel-drive version: Producing 338 hp, making it the most powerful Toyota in Europe (outside the GR Supra)
- Competitive range: Up to 373 miles on the WLTP cycle (likely closer to 270 miles under U.S. EPA testing)
- Faster charging: 150 kW DC fast charging, with a battery preconditioning system to improve speed in cold weather
These specs make it sound like the perfect alternative to pricier EVs in the U.S. market. But will Toyota actually bring it here?
Right now, Toyota’s U.S. electric lineup is looking thin. The bZ4X has struggled to compete with the Tesla Model Y, Hyundai Ioniq 5, and Ford Mustang Mach-E. While Toyota is working on future EVs, it needs something more affordable, practical, and compelling.
That’s where the C-HR+ could come in. It has the right size—just a bit shorter than a RAV4—and offers usable space (14.7 cubic feet of cargo room). It also looks sharper and more aggressive than the bZ4X, with a coupe-like roofline and bold styling cues.
But would Toyota actually sell it in the U.S.? That’s the big unknown.
What’s holding it back?
- The name is confusing: Americans remember the old C-HR as a compact, slow hybrid, and this is not that car. Toyota might need to rebrand it
- It was designed for Europe: The C-HR+ follows a European compact crossover formula, prioritizing efficiency and urban driving. Toyota may think it’s too small for U.S. buyers
- Toyota’s priorities are elsewhere: The company is focused on bringing a new electric three-row SUV to the U.S. in 2026, meaning the C-HR+ might not be on their radar for this market
Toyota hasn’t confirmed anything, but it absolutely should consider it. The U.S. needs more affordable EVs, and if this slots into the low-to-mid $30,000 range, it could be a serious contender against the Chevy Equinox EV, Hyundai Kona Electric, and Volkswagen ID.4.
If Toyota can:
- Bring the dual-motor AWD version for performance buyers
- Keep the price competitive with tax credits
- Offer strong range and charging improvements over the bZ4X
Then, the C-HR+ could finally give Toyota a real foothold in the American EV market. For now, though, we’ll have to watch from across the Atlantic as Europe gets first dibs.