{
  "id": 5756628,
  "title": "Toyota spent years moving slowly on EVs. I drove its new, affordable C-HR to see whether the wait paid off.",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/05/toyota-spent-years-moving-slowly-on-evs-i-drove-its-new-affordable-c",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-05T09:39:01.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Business Insider",
    "slug": "business-insider",
    "url": "https://www.businessinsider.com/toyota-c-hr-review-2026-9"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Toyota has taken a slow and steady approach to developing electric vehicles (EVs). The company only launched one EV, the bZ4X, until recently. In 2026, there is a surge of new Toyota EVs entering the market as competitors exit the space. I had the opportunity to drive a new addition to Toyota's lineup, the C-HR, to determine if the wait was worthwhile.\n\nThe C-HR is a more attractive and efficient option compared to its larger sibling. Priced starting at $37,080, it is the cheapest way to get into an all-wheel-drive Toyota EV. The 2026 C-HR XSE, my test vehicle, featured a two-tone exterior, upgraded speakers, and additional perks. During my week of driving, I observed exceptional efficiency, comfortable interior, and impressive performance.\n\nThe EPA estimates the XSE can travel 273 miles on a full charge, but I easily surpassed this during my 200-mile journey through New York City traffic and New Jersey's highways. With a partial battery charge of 89%, I could have traveled approximately 400 miles. The vehicle's efficiency was comparable to high-end EVs like those from Lucid, a premium EV manufacturer.\n\nToyota claims the C-HR can accelerate from 0-60 mph in 4.9 seconds, placing it among the top performers in Toyota's lineup. However, in real-world driving, the car felt more composed, comfortable, and quiet. A Tesla Model Y owner joined me for a ride and was impressed with the airy interior and back-seat comfort.\n\nWhile the C-HR had some drawbacks, such as a lack of a glovebox, cramped storage, and occasional infotainment lag, these issues were outweighed by its strong efficiency, comfortable ride, and user-friendly interior. The vehicle's aesthetic appeal also stood out, with a sleek design that avoided the \"weird EV\" look common among other electric cars.\n\nThe C-HR's slow emergence in the market provided several advantages, including the adoption of the NACS charging standard, which allowed Toyota to avoid costly charging port transitions. Additionally, the car was jointly developed with Subaru, reducing development costs as the auto industry consolidates.\n\nOverall, the wait for Toyota to deliver a competitive EV was justified. The company's C-HR successfully combines efficiency, comfort, and performance in a way that other automakers have struggled to achieve. Despite some minor drawbacks, I genuinely enjoyed my time behind the wheel of the C-HR and felt sad to see it go. It appears Toyota's wait was well worth it.",
  "summary": "Other US automakers regretted their early-2020s EVs. Toyota took a slower approach and launched models this year — so we tested a new entrant.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}