2026 Toyota C-HR EV: AWD power, 290-mile range, under $40k

Against a backdrop of more cautious EV demand in the United States, Toyota is actually picking up the pace: in 2026 the company will roll out several battery-electric newcomers, and the most intriguing of them looks like a scaled-down bZ—the Toyota C-HR in a fully electric guise. For the brand, it’s a pivotal step: after years of leaning on hybrids, Toyota clearly wants to shore up the most sensitive segment—affordable EVs.

The new C-HR is built on the e-TNGA platform, like the updated bZ, yet the concept may prove even more compelling. In the U.S., it arrives with dual-motor all-wheel drive, 338 hp, and a 74.7-kWh battery. Despite smaller dimensions, Toyota promises about 290 miles of range, with 0–60 mph taking roughly five seconds. That spec sheet reads like the current baseline for a modern family electric crossover.

Another plus is the move to the NACS connector. While today’s Toyota EVs can already tap into the Supercharger network via an adapter, a native port makes everyday charging easier: fewer adapters and fewer chances for something to go sideways.

The compromise is predictable: the cabin and cargo area will be more modest than in the larger bZ. In other regions, Toyota may also use LFP batteries, which typically favor cost and longevity. In the U.S., the starting price is expected to come in under $40,000, ideally closer to $35,000—an approach that reads like a serious play for the mass market and for those who, in 2026, are still choosing between a conventional 2025 car and their first EV.