This is an Automotive Engineer David Chao’s full review of the all-new 2026 Toyota C-HR, now built in Japan at the Takaoka plant. David says that this is his favorite EV now, because of the way it drives on the road and also because it shows a fantastic quality. Watch the entire video to find out 12 things you should know about the C-HR.
Automotive Press is owned and managed by David Koichi Chao, a global expert in the field of automotive evaluation, engineering, and strategy. With over 35 years of engineering experience, David is able to review vehicles from unique perspectives utilizing technical and specialized methods. David is a board member and a Vice President at AJAC (Automobile Journalist Association of Canada).
David is known around the world as an authentic specialist of Lean/Agile Thinking, and travels all around the world to review vehicles and teach latest engineering methods. Born and raised in Japan, David has an engineering degree from University of British Columbia and post-graduate executive education from MIT and Harvard Business School in Boston.
A Terrific review! I'll be very interested if you compare it to the Subaru Uncharted. Many Thanks, Graham.
The previous generation was poor in terms of range, traction management, and so forth. Not because it was made in Turkey. Tesla is literally gluing things together, but it is revolutionary. Electric cars are always fun to drive, but the main issue for any electric car is the range, and related to that, the thermal management system. Thisπ does not have a promising range, and it will be another bad attempt on Toyota's part.
Wasnβt Toyota the one saying that electric was not the future?π€
Toyota / Subaru EV's had a rocky start, but seems they are on the up and up. Have a 24 Solterra which I absolutely love, underrated vehicles.
The updated BZ, CH-R & BZ Woodland all have much better interior materials on the door panels. My 2023 Solterra has cheap piano black plastic on the door panels & it rattles & creaks terribly & no one wants to warranty it.
You talked a lot about value and affordability, but never mentioned the price or the range. Otherwise, I appreciate the time you spent sharing your opinions.
"…this thing drives better than any electric vehicle from Toyota….".The only Toyota had so far is BZ as electric vehicle meaning it is only drives better than BZ ππππ
Glad itβs made in Japan otherwise I would not buy it especially if it made in the states!
All my life I've gravitated towards hatchbacks and loved my gti's even the Tiguan was a compact SUV that I liked.
I'm currently driving a Volvo C40 and to me that's my hot hatch Evie that I've been waiting for.
This will be a great replacement for that car and I do appreciate the significant increase in range for just a small amount of horsepower difference.
Range?
I've come across information that Subaru uses a double wishbone suspension and Toyota uses a multilink. True? why? Which is better? C-HR or Uncharted?
How's the view of the digital instrument cluster MID? I've heard some say the positioning is bad and the steering wheel can obstruct it.
That is next step, i mean.
Hey, what about highway noise? That's the biggest issue I've had with toyotas on test drives, go above 105km/h in a chr with a moonroof or above 120km/h in a corolla and wind just starts making so much noise it's weird.
Someone said you can get the all new CHR is gas too. is that correct???
Why no rear wiper?!
Great little city/commuter hatchback. Great choice if you have level 2 charging at home and seldom go over 150 miles per day. It's similar to my Volvo C40 EV. Thanks David!
Just finished the live. Time for the new review.
I wonder if Lexus will spawn a more luxurious version of this model to replace the UX. It should have 30 more miles of range, in my opinion, to get more people on board and a rear wipe/digital rearview mirror.
I will stick with my Dodge Omni.
tbe only thing i dont like, the range!
Very sweet ride. Toyota is on a roll with their 2025+ updated EVs. Solid specs, solid price, and you know youβre getting Toyota quality.
To USA
True about the depreciation of EVβs. An off lease EV may be more competition that manufacturers think because thatβs already in the rear view mirror and there is warranty and plenty of life left at a cheaper price. 17:21
Hello! I want to know when CHR arrived to ΓA
Value? How much ? And what is range?
Whatβs the batteryβs chemistry and does it come with a heat pump?
David, why doesn't Toyota put a rear wiper on this model and the bz?
Whatβs the price? Did I miss it? I canβt find it.
Really should've been a hybrid Prius Cross. This looks a lot nicer than the Corolla Cross Hybrid both inside and out plus no one wants an EV. I remember Toyota saying that for every 1 EV they make, those battery resources could've been used to make 100 regular hybrids. Toyota can't even keep up with the demand for their hybrids…
nice looking car
Great review David,have a question for you.Other than the power difference whatβs the quality and ride comparing the IONIQ 5?
If we had the infrastructure to support EVs, I definitely would consider this. Might be good used after 2 years to avoid taking the depreciation hit.
Thanks for calling the material suede, alcantara is a company's name not the material
Thatβs a beauty!