Long wait for Toyota’s compact electric SUV

TOYOTA is (finally) on the battery electric vehicle offensive, confirming an all-electric C-HR compact SUV is now locked in for Australia while appearing to be in no rush because customers will not be able to get their hands on the market leader’s new model until mid-2027.

Although the Japanese manufacturer has been slow to embrace BEVs, the electric C-HR will help it to take the fight to the red-hot electric compact SUV market, provided it is still current in a year-and-a-half given the breakneck development pace of Chinese competitors.

Toyota's all-electric C-HR shares little with the hybrid C-HR model, instead sitting atop the same e-TNGA platform as the brand’s larger bZ4X model.

According to Toyota, the local C-HR will use a 74.7kWh lithium-ion battery and front-mounted electric motor, producing 165kW/269Nm with a targeted range of more than 500km.

This suggests that Australia is unlikely to receive the potent 252kW all-wheel drive version currently being rolled out in Europe.

A maximum DC fast-charging rate of 150kW will top-up the C-HR BEV from 10 to 80 per cent in around 30 minutes regardless of weather, owing to battery pre-conditioning technology.

Meanwhile, a 22kW maximum AC rate will facilitate speedy at-home charging for those with access to three-phase power.

The C-HR BEV features Toyota’s ‘Hammerhead’ design concept, using a slimmer headlight design and other aerodynamic tweaks to offer a slippery drag coefficient of 0.26Cd while looking suitably sporty.

It will also, according to Toyota, offer the “engaging driving dynamics of its hybrid counterpart”, with a bespoke suspension and electric power steering tune, as well as four levels of regenerative braking.

Inside, the C-HR EV will feature a 14-inch touchscreen with wireless phone connectivity and natural voice recognition, and it will also score Toyota’s full suite of active safety systems.

“Toyota is dedicated to offering its customers the right powertrain choice for the right time and application, and the all-electric C-HR will be perfect for customers looking for a stylish urban SUV with high levels of technology and serene yet engaging driving characteristics,” said Toyota Australia vice president sales, marketing and franchise operations Sean Hanley.

“Combined with the arrival of Toyota’s first plug-in hybrid powertrain in the all-new RAV4 next year, Toyota will continue to offer a range of powertrains to suit customers with varying lifestyles and requirements.”

Toyota outlined that it will reveal pricing and trim specifications closer to the mid-2027 local arrival date, but given the larger bZ4X starts at $66,000, GoAuto predicts it may come in below $60K.