2026 Toyota C-HR XSE All-Wheel Drive Review

Toyota is bringing the C-HR name back for 2026 and I’ve spent the week checking it out. If you had a C-HR prior to 2022 you had a regular gas engine. This time around it returns as a fully-electric compact crossover. The new 2026 Toyota C-HR XSE AWD is sporty looking, loaded with technology, and surprisingly upscale inside for a compact EV. Built in Toyota City, Japan, the new C-HR combines dual-motor all-wheel drive with 338-horsepower and an EPA-estimated 273 miles of driving range.

Exterior 

The styling of the new C-HR is aggressive and futuristic with sharp body lines, a low roofline, and dramatic front and rear lighting. Toyota clearly wanted this EV to stand out, and it does. The coupe-like profile gives it a sporty appearance while the standard 20-inch gunmetal-finished alloy wheels look good and help give the vehicle a planted stance.

My tester wore optional Tandori paint paired with a Midnight Black roof, and the two-tone treatment really highlights the body sculpting. LED headlights and daytime running lights are standard, along with heated power-folding outside mirrors and rain-sensing windshield wipers.

This is not one of those anonymous little crossovers you lose in a parking lot, nope-it’s a stand out in the looks department. The rear door handles are cool, Toyota hides them high up in the rear C-pillars near the roofline. The design helps give the C-HR a sportier, almost two-door coupe appearance at first glance. Toyota itself has described them as “hidden-type design door handles” integrated into the C-pillar.

Performance 

Power comes from dual electric motors producing a combined 338 horsepower, and all-wheel drive is standard equipment on the XSE trim. The battery pack is rated at 74.7-kWh, and Toyota estimates a full-charge driving range of 273 miles. EPA efficiency ratings come in at 112 MPGe combined, including 122 MPGe in city driving and 102 MPGe on the highway.

One important detail is that Toyota equipped the new C-HR with a North American Charging Standard (NACS) charging port, which should make finding public charging easier moving forward since it will charge at any of the huge number of Tesla charging stations. Toyota also includes dual-voltage charging cable adapters.

Interior   

Inside, the C-HR feels much more premium than its compact size would suggest. The cabin has a clean, modern design with soft-touch materials in key areas and a sporty feel overall.

The heated front sport seats are trimmed in synthetic suede and SofTex material and are both comfortable and supportive, but have to say that the seat material looks cheap to me. The driver gets an 8-way power seat with lumbar support and memory settings.

The dashboard is dominated by Toyota’s large 14-inch multimedia touchscreen. The big touchscreen handles virtually everything in the C-HR, including audio, navigation, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, climate controls, charging information, drive settings, cameras, and Connected Services functions. Toyota also integrates vehicle setup menus, safety system settings, and energy-monitoring screens into the system, although thankfully there are still a few physical controls for commonly used functions.

Ahead of the driver is a 7-inch digital gauge cluster that displays speed, battery charge level, estimated driving range, regenerative braking status, safety-system alerts, navigation prompts, and energy-flow information, while also allowing drivers to customize portions of the display for trip data and vehicle settings. Toyota also includes dual wireless charging pads and four USB-C ports, which is a nice touch for families or anybody traveling with multiple devices.

The center console of the new C-HR has a clean, modern design with a strong emphasis on technology and functionality. Front and center is a rotary-style electronic gear selector that operates the drive functions, including Reverse, Neutral, Drive, and regenerative braking mode selection. The compact shifter frees up additional storage space in the console area and contributes to the open feel between the front seats.

Just ahead of the console are the dual wireless smartphone charging pads along with USB-C ports for device charging and connectivity. The console area also houses cupholders, an electronic parking brake, and controls tied to the vehicle’s drive-related functions and regenerative braking adjustments. Toyota integrates most secondary vehicle functions through the large 14-inch touchscreen, so the center console itself remains uncluttered and easy to use without an overload of physical buttons.

The rear seat area of the C-HR is surprisingly accommodating for a compact EV, although the sporty roofline does create a cozier atmosphere than a more traditional upright crossover. Legroom appears good for average-size adults, and the rear seats themselves are nicely contoured with supportive cushioning. Headroom may be a little tighter for taller passengers because of the sloping roof design, but the dark headliner and higher beltline also add to the sporty cockpit-like feel Toyota was clearly aiming for. Rear passengers get air vents, USB-C charging ports, map pockets, and, on my tester equipped with the Cold Weather Package, heated rear seats. The wide-opening rear doors help entry and exit more than you might expect.

Utility

Cargo space behind the second row measures 25.3 cubic feet, which expands to 59.5 cubic feet with the 60/40 split rear seats folded flat. The rear cargo area is accessed through a power liftgate, and Toyota includes a cargo security cover to keep valuables out of sight. Because the C-HR does not carry a spare tire, there is additional hidden storage underneath the cargo floor that is useful for storing charging cables and smaller items. My tester also featured a rear cargo-mounted 1500-watt AC power outlet that could come in handy for tailgating, camping, or emergency backup power.

Standard Equipment

The C-HR XSE AWD comes very well equipped from the factory with 20-inch gunmetal-finished alloy wheels, LED headlights and daytime running lights, heated power-folding outside mirrors, rain-sensing windshield wipers, a panoramic view monitor, paddle shifters for regenerative braking adjustment, heated synthetic suede and SofTex-trimmed sport seats, an 8-way power driver’s seat with lumbar support and memory settings, dual wireless smartphone charging pads, four USB-C ports, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, and Toyota’s 14-inch Audio Multimedia touchscreen system. The C-HR also features Connected Services capability with 4G network connectivity and a rear cargo-mounted 1500-watt AC power outlet.

Safety       

Toyota loads the C-HR with safety technology. Standard safety equipment includes Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, Blind Spot Monitor, Rear Cross-Traffic Alert, Front and Rear Parking Assist with Automatic Braking, Lane Change Assist, Lane Tracing Assist, Traffic Jam Assist, Safe Exit Alert, and Emergency Driving Stop System.

Options   

 My tester came equipped with the $450 Cold Weather Package, which added headlight cleaners and heated rear seats. Other options included JBL Premium Audio for $600, a panoramic roof for $1,000, and two-tone paint for $500. Additional accessories included carpet floor mats and a cargo mat for $339, along with wheel locks for $90.

Charging

The 2026 C-HR can be charged several different ways depending on the power source available. Using a standard 110-volt household outlet, Toyota estimates a full charge can take roughly two to three days, making Level 1 charging best suited for topping off overnight or very low-mileage driving. Moving up to a 240-volt Level 2 home charger like I have, it dramatically improves charging speed, with a full charge in about eight hours, making overnight charging much more practical for daily use. On a DC fast charger, the C-HR can recharge much more quickly, with Toyota saying the battery can charge from 10% to 80% in approximately 30 minutes under ideal conditions.

Ride and Drive

The new C-HR is genuinely fun to drive. With 338-horsepower and instant electric torque, acceleration is immediate and smooth. Around town, it feels quick and responsive without being overly aggressive. The low-mounted battery pack helps keep body roll under control in corners, and the suspension tuning strikes a nice balance between sporty handling and everyday ride comfort. Steering feels direct and predictable, and the regenerative braking paddle shifters allow drivers to customize how aggressively the vehicle slows when lifting off the accelerator. Road noise is well controlled for a compact crossover, and overall refinement is impressive.

Verdict    

Toyota’s new electric C-HR feels far more substantial and refined than many people will expect from a compact EV. It’s stylish, fast, comfortable, and packed with technology while still maintaining the practicality buyers expect from a small crossover. This is a good example of EV’s becoming more affordable, more predictable, less space age inside, and they are settling in to be more mainstream. With that comes a bit of blandness and less differentiation. The C-HR falls into this category. It’s not overly sexy or exciting, but it’s zippy, it drives well, and it’s a Toyota, which is the main advantage it has.