The C-HR+ Design, which we’ve already reviewed here, adds that larger battery as well as an electric bootlid, tinted windows and the option of 20-inch alloy wheels. As for the Excel, that comes with a 22kW onboard charger, powered adjustment for the driver’s seat, synthetic suede and leather upholstery, an exterior parking camera, plus extra safety technology including front cross traffic alert and lane change assist. There are more options for the Excel too with the ‘Premium Pack’ adding a JBL sound system and panoramic sunroof.
Toyota C-HR+: powertrains and technical details
The C-HR+ is positioned between the new Urban Cruiser and bZ4X in Toyota’s EV range – though it gets the latter’s e-TNGA platform.
At 4,520mm long, the C-HR+ extends 40mm further than a Skoda Elroq although the Skoda has a significantly larger boot (470 litres) compared to the C-HR+ (412 litres) thanks to the Toyota’s coupe-like roofline. Despite an extra 150mm in length over the hybrid C-HR, we didn’t find the electric newcomer to be particularly roomy inside when we tested it – especially compared to the likes of the Skoda Elroq.
The C-HR+ gets a 165bhp front-mounted electric motor with the small battery, while the larger battery model has the option of either a 221bhp front-wheel drive or a 338bhp dual-motor 4×4 layout – the same system found in the most potent bZ4X.
In the least powerful C-HR+ the 0-62mph sprint takes 8.4 seconds while the other front-wheel drive model takes 7.3 seconds. There’s no performance data for the dual-motor C-HR+, but considering the bZ4X takes 5.1 seconds with the same setup, expect a blistering sub-five second 0-62mph time from this smaller, lighter model.
Despite the new C-HR+ being offered in all-wheel-drive form, it doesn’t inherit the XMode system from the larger Toyota EV (and its Subaru Solterra sibling) that provides different settings for different off-road conditions.
As with the bZ4X, Toyota has introduced battery pre-conditioning to improve charging speed. This is either engaged manually ahead of a recharging stop or automatically if the in-car navigation is set so the car knows when it will be charging. Charging speeds are reasonable, if not class-leading, with a 150kW providing a 10-80 per cent top up in 28 minutes.
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