Japanese car giant Toyota, Australia’s most popular carmaker, is to finally bring its second fully electric model to the Australian market, with the C-HR due to arrive in the country in mid 2027.
The C-HR will join the existing EV in Toyota’s Australian lineup, the bZ4X and its bZ4X Touring variant. The C-HR is built on the same e-TNGA dedicated electric vehicle (EV) platform which underpins the larger bZ4X.
In Australia, the C-HR will feature a 74.4 kilowatt-hour (kWh) lithium-ion battery providing for a driving range of over 500 kilometres (km), though Toyota said that these results were achieved under unspecified “test conditions” and therefore “do not reflect the driving range in real world driving.
The battery will power a front-mounted permanent magnet synchronous electric motor capable of putting out 165kW of power and 269Nm of torque.
The C-HR BEV mimics the driving characteristics of its hybrid counterpart with what Toyota describes as a “unique suspension and electric power steering tune” which delivers an “ideal blend” of responsiveness and ride comfort.
Four levels of regenerative braking can be adjusted using a steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters that allows the drive to dial in the preferred amount of coasting deceleration.
Toyota also claims that “extensive” noise insulating materials have been built into the structure of the cabin to bolster the car’s quietness.
The exterior is based on Toyota’s Hammerhead concept, including a slimmer LED headlight design and multiple aerodynamically enhanced design touches that reduce the car’s drag coefficient to a 0.26Cd. Larger exterior dimensions and wheelbase also provide for increased overall interior space, including 416 litres of overall cargo volume.
A 14-inch touchscreen multimedia system will offer both wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as well as natural voice recognition and Toyota Connected Services functionality, while a full suite of Toyota Safety Sense active safety technologies and driver assist features are also included.
“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 Sean Hanley, Toyota Australia vice president of sales, marketing, and franchise operations.
“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.”
Further details on the all-new battery-electric C-HR including pricing and grade specification will be revealed closer to its expected Australian arrival mid-2027.
Joshua S. Hill is a Melbourne-based journalist who has been writing about climate change, clean technology, and electric vehicles for over 15 years. He has been reporting on electric vehicles and clean technologies for Renew Economy and The Driven since 2012. His preferred mode of transport is his feet.
