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By Jonathan Crouch

The C-HR+ is Toyota's most significant EV yet. Jonathan Crouch takes a look.

Ten Second Reviewword count: 48

At last, Toyota is broadening its EV range downwards. Here's what looks likely to be the brand's strongest selling electric vehicle over the next few years, the C-HR+. It's actually a stand-alone model and will be a core contender for the company in the electric compact crossover segment.

Backgroundword count: 134

The bZ4X might have been Toyota's first self-developed EV, but this smaller C-HR+ model is considerably more significant. It's based on the brand's bZ Compact SUV Concept car of 2022 and was originally supposed to be called the 'bZ3X' until the company changed its EV naming convention. The C-HR+ slots into the Japanese maker's line-up just below the bZ4X just above the Urban Cruiser EV Toyota has co-developed with Suzuki. The C-HR+ name suggests a C-HR with an EV powertrain, but actually this EV is a completely stand-alone model - and a slightly bigger car than its Hybrid showroom stablemate. Toyota insists though that the two C-HR models share 'the same DNA' and says that the '+' suffix designates 'added versatility and practicality' as well as the EV drivetrain. Let's take a closer look.

Engines and Tech Specword count: 216

Things kick off in the C-HR+ range with an entry-level model featuring front wheel drive and a 165bhp motor energised by a 57.7kWh battery pack. Next up is a front driven model with a 224bhp motor paired to a 77kWh battery which makes 62mph in 8.6s en route to the 100mph maximum all C-HR+ models share. That bigger battery is also used by the top twin motor AWD version, which puts out a prodigious 343bhp and makes 62mph in just 5.2s. It's the bigger-battery front driven version you'll need for the best EV range figure - around 373 miles. We didn't find the bZ4X model this car is based upon particularly fun to drive, but Toyota claims the C-HR+ is better, thanks to greater platform rigidity, bespoke-tuned suspension, stiffer anti-roll bars and more responsive steering. Don't expect it to handle in quite as agile a fashion as the C-HR Hybrid (there's too much extra kerb weight for that), but this EV's low centre of gravity helps with fast cornering. As does what Toyota calls 'a reduced moment of inertia'. As usual with the brand, there's a wide range of standard Toyota Safety Sense features, including automatic activation when needed of braking, steering and power control. Plus a Parking Support Brake system to prevent car park prangs.

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