Electric Toyota C-HR SUV confirmed for Australia to battle MG S5EV and BYD Atto 3

Mechanically distinct from the hybrid version of the C-HR, the electric model brings Toyota’s latest batteries and possible AWD grade with 252kW!

Toyota will begin to grow its family of battery electric vehicles (BEVs) in Australia next year with the introduction of the European-market C-HR+ crossover.

Set to be badged simply C-HR BEV for Australia, the fully-electric version of the second-generation ‘Coupe-High Rider’ is in fact a different car under the skin to the hybrid-powered version already on sale in the Australian market.

Australians will be offered the C-HR less than 12 months after the model’s European market launch, with Toyota Australia beginning to broaden its response to the New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES) regime that incentivises sales of BEV and plug-in hybrid (PHEV) models based on their official CO2 emissions.

While the standard petrol-electric C-HR is a true small SUV, measuring in at 4360mm in length, the full-electric C-HR+ is considerably longer at 4520mm.

Pricing for the hybrid version of the C-HR is pitched at a relatively premium level, spanning $45,440 to $57,390 before on-road costs.

Like the larger bZ4X fully electric medium SUV, which will shortly be facelifted and updated with a larger battery for the Australian market, the C-HR+ uses the adapted e-TNGA BEV chassis under the skin.

This electric SUV is another joint project with fellow Japanese carmaker Subaru, which sells a version of the bZ4x known locally as the Solterra. Subaru has not yet announced whether its adaptation of the C-HR+, called ‘Uncharted‘, will come to Australia.

Toyota first previewed the C-HR+ in 2022 as the bZ Compact SUV concept car but the brand is moving towards more ‘normal’ badging of its electric vehicles.

Overseas, the C-HR+ is offered in front-wheel drive (123kW to 165kW) formats or with eAxle all-wheel drive with a substantial 252kW. The CH-R+ AWD can sprint from 0-100km/h in a claimed 5.2 seconds.

Some markets receive a choice of 57.7kWh or 77.0kWh batteries promising a range from 455km to 525km. Charging is up to 22kW AC or 150kW DC.

“This model will join the existing C-HR hybrid range, offering customers another choice of powertrain for those whose needs can be met by a full battery electric vehicle,” said Toyota Australia vice president of sales and marketing Sean Hanley.

Hanley said the time was right to expand Toyota’s BEV family in Australia.

“As they say, the first mouse smelt the cheese, but the second mouse got the cheese. You got that? We’ve been accused of being slow on BEVs for years. Well, maybe we just got it right. Maybe this is the market reality,” he said.

Standard equipment on the C-HR BEV for Australia is yet to be confirmed, but globally, all versions will receive a 14-inch touchscreen, blind spot monitoring, adaptive headlights, and online connectivity.