Toyota’s C-HR was always the brand’s style play, the SUV you bought because you wanted something that didn’t look like everything else in the parking lot. For 2027, it’s also 338 horsepower and a 4.9-second 0-60 mph run. The C-HR arrives as a fully electric compact SUV this September, carrying dual-motor all-wheel drive, a 74.7-kWh battery, and a starting price of $37,080.
The C-HR nameplate has built an audience over its lifetime, with 2.1 million units sold globally since 2016. Much of that volume came from Europe, where style-forward design resonated in the compact segment. In the U.S., where compact electric SUVs remain a developing category, Toyota is bringing the C-HR in with enough performance to argue it belongs in the conversation on driving character, not just brand loyalty.
What the Motors Actually Do
Both grades run the same dual-motor setup, with electric motors in the front and rear eAxles producing 338 net combined system horsepower. Torque splits 198 lb-ft at the front and 125 lb-ft at the rear. Toyota’s manufacturer-estimated 0-60 time of 4.9 seconds puts the C-HR in legitimate performance territory for the segment, and the underfloor-mounted 74.7-kWh battery pack keeps the center of gravity low enough that the suspension tuning, including revised spring and damper rates and anti-roll bar stiffness, has something to work with.
Range separates the two grades. The SE, riding on 18-inch wheels, carries a manufacturer-estimated 287 miles. The XSE steps up to 20-inch gunmetal-finished wheels and gives back 14 miles, coming in at 273 miles. Both figures are manufacturer estimates. DC fast charging arrives via a NACS port, and under ideal conditions Toyota estimates the 10 to 80 percent charge window closes in around 30 minutes. The onboard AC charger is rated at 11 kW for Level 2 use, and a dual-voltage charging cable ships with every C-HR for Level 1 access as well.
Battery Preconditioning is standard and worth flagging. The system brings the pack to optimal temperature before a DC fast-charging session, which can improve charging speeds in cold weather. It can be activated manually in the vehicle settings, or automatically when a driver routes navigation to a fast-charging station, the latter requiring an active Drive Connect subscription.
Two Grades, Meaningfully Different
The SE at $37,080 is not a stripped-down entry point. Standard equipment includes an 8-way power driver seat with heated cushions, a heated steering wheel, rain-sensing wipers, a power liftgate, low-profile roof rails, and Fabric/SofTex-trimmed seating. The 6-way manual passenger seat is the most notable concession at this grade. Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 is standard across the lineup, bringing Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection, Full-Speed Range Dynamic Radar Cruise Control, Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist, Lane Tracing Assist, Road Sign Assist, and Automatic High Beams.
The XSE upgrades the seating to SofTex and synthetic suede trim, adds an 8-way power passenger seat and driver memory, and brings the panoramic view monitor into the mix. Two XSE-specific driver assistance features stand out: Traffic Jam Assist, which automates low-speed driving in congested conditions, and Lane Change Assist. The panoramic fixed glass roof with power sunshade is also XSE-only. Toyota has not disclosed the XSE’s starting price.
Inside: 14 Inches of Screen, 1,500 Watts of Outlet
Both grades share a 14-inch touchscreen running Toyota’s Audio Multimedia system, developed by its Texas-based Toyota Connected team. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard. The SE’s six-speaker audio setup handles daily listening; the XSE can be optioned with a 9-speaker JBL premium system including a subwoofer and amplifier. Dual Qi wireless chargers with enhanced power output sit up front, and four USB-C ports are distributed through the cabin. Less expected: a 1,500-watt AC outlet in the rear cargo area, which functions as a Vehicle-to-Load capability for running devices or tools off the battery.
The instrument cluster uses a top-mount Multi-Information Display paired with a 7-inch customizable LCD showing speedometer, charge meter, power output, drive mode indicators, and charging information. Customizable ambient lighting adds a personalization layer that fits the C-HR’s design intent. Both grades are Toyota Digital Key capable, so a smartphone can substitute for the physical key fob.
Paddle shifters on the steering wheel let drivers cycle through four levels of regenerative braking, a useful tool for adjusting one-pedal feel to road conditions or driver preference.
Cargo and Packaging
The C-HR’s coupe roofline is a deliberate trade. Exterior dimensions run 177.9 inches in length, 73.6 inches wide, and 63.8 inches tall, on a 108.3-inch wheelbase. Toyota claims the packaging works: up to 59.5 cubic feet of rear cargo space is available when the 60/40 split rear seat folds flat, and the company says headroom and cabin space are generous for the footprint. The e-TNGA platform, shared with the bZ and bZ Woodland, enables a flat floor layout by placing the battery entirely underfloor.
Connectivity coverage at purchase includes 5-year trials for Safety Connect, Service Connect, and Remote Connect, plus a 30-day Wi-Fi trial. The Toyota app handles remote functions: checking charge status, starting or stopping a charging session, and locating nearby stations. Additional services including Drive Connect are available by grade and subscription.
Toyota plans C-HR deliveries to dealers starting in September. The C-HR arrives in five exterior colors, with three two-tone options limited to the XSE: Tandoori with a Midnight Black Metallic roof, Cement with Midnight Black Metallic, and Wind Chill Pearl with Midnight Black Metallic, each at extra cost. The single-tone Wind Chill Pearl also carries an extra charge on either grade.
At $37,080 with 338 horsepower and a 287-mile range claim, the C-HR is Toyota’s sharpest argument yet that the brand’s BEV lineup is no longer just about practicality. The styling was always the hook. Now it has the numbers to back it up.
2027 Toyota C-HR Photo Gallery
Source: Toyota. Images courtesy of Toyota.
