The Toyota C-HR+ Is a Very Different Car From Its Own Name
Both reviews spend real time just explaining what this car actually is, since sharing a name with the hybrid C-HR while being a completely different electric vehicle underneath causes genuine confusion.
Same Name, Genuinely Different Car
Badge continuity usually signals a close family relationship between models. Here it doesn't — this is a dedicated electric platform wearing a familiar name mostly for buyer reassurance, and reviewers have made a point of clarifying that distinction upfront.
Specs at a Glance
| Body style | Family electric SUV |
|---|---|
| Battery options | 54kWh or 72kWh usable |
| Drivetrain | Front-wheel drive (UK spec) |
| Claimed weight | 1,917kg as tested (long-range single motor) |
| Rivals | Skoda Elroq, Renault Scenic, Kia EV3 |
Full Review Summary
What Car?
What Car? rated the physical climate dials a genuine positive versus touchscreen-only rivals like the BYD Atto 3 and Skoda Elroq, though noted the wider 14-inch infotainment software itself isn't the sharpest, with clunky menus and a slow-to-respond radio station list. They found steering wheel-mounted physical buttons well-made but awkwardly arranged in a single line, meaning they're not always within easy thumb reach. Real-world electric range wasn't tested extensively in this review, but toughest competition was identified as the five-star-rated Renault Scenic and Skoda Elroq.
Autocar
Autocar praised Toyota for keeping kerb weight impressively low for the class — 1,917kg as tested against a Skoda Elroq's 2,085kg — crediting an optimised cooling system with cell-level water cooling. They found the missing rear windscreen wiper a genuine annoyance, since rainwater collects on the sloped rear glass and obscures visibility, a direct consequence of the swoopy coupé-style roofline. Overall they framed this as an important test of whether Toyota can finally deliver a genuinely competitive electric car after a underwhelming first attempt with the bZ4X.
Strengths
- Impressively low kerb weight for an electric SUV
- Retains physical climate controls
- Distinctive, sporty styling
- Optimised cooling system for battery longevity
Weak points
- Confusing naming overlap with the unrelated hybrid C-HR
- No rear windscreen wiper despite a design prone to rear visibility issues
- Infotainment software feels behind the best in class
- Steering wheel button layout not ideally placed
Who It Actually Suits
Buyers specifically wanting an electric SUV from Toyota, who should be clear this shares little beyond a name with the hybrid C-HR. Worth cross-shopping directly against the Skoda Elroq and Renault Scenic before deciding.