Toyota spent years moving slowly on EVs. I drove its new, affordable C-HR to see whether the wait paid off.
A review of the 2026 Toyota C-HR electric vehicle, highlighting Toyota's shift from a slow EV adopter to a major market player. The author praises the vehicle's performance, design, and affordability compared to earlier models like the bZ4X.
Why it matters
It reflects the broader industry pivot as legacy automakers adjust their EV strategies amidst shifting consumer demand and market volatility.
Toyota took its time developing EVs. Was the C-HR worth the wait? Ben Shimkus/Business Insider Toyota wasn't a big player in the early-2020s all-electric game. It only launched one EV: the bZ4X. Suddenly, there's an influx of Toyota EVs for 2026, when competitors are leaving the market. I drove a new entrant to see if it works — and I think I'm in love. Let's go back to 2023. GM is rolling out a dozen EVs , Ford has borrowed the iconic F-150 and Mustang nameplates for all-electric vehicles, Polestar looks like a potential up-and-comer… And Toyota — long heralded as one of the more environmentally conscious automakers after the runaway success of the Prius hybrid — isn't really competing. Its single EV, the bZ4X, is a little weird-looking, charges slowly, and won't reach 300 miles on a full battery. Toyota's slow approach surprised industry watchers.
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