Can Toyota’s recently launched all-electric C-HR+ crossover break the mould for EVs? Al Suttie files a week-long report.

Toyota C-HR+ Design

List price (BiK): £36,930 (4%)  Official range: 376 miles  Range as tested: 337 miles

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Monday

The Toyota C-HR has always appealed to me for its left-field looks, so the all-electric C-HR+ that arrived this morning was off to a running start. It’s an angularly handsome crossover-cum-hatchback and, while sharing some C-HR styling cues, it has more in common with the bZ4X. Just as appealing on thumbing through the information is the claimed 376-mile range for this 77kWh Design model.

Tuesday

The driving range was put to the test without delay this morning with a round trip to Edinburgh Airport to pick up my wife. This 90-mile journey has most EVs shedding predicted mileage much faster than I’d like as most of the drive is on motorway. The Toyota had no such wobble and the miles to empty on the dash tallied exactly with those covered by the tyres.

Wednesday

Another 90-mile there-and-back drive today with the C-HR+ and no sign of having to plug it in to charge. With that shoved to the back of my mind, the Toyota impressed with its relaxed motorway manners. The suspension, which at first feels a touch firm, offers excellent stability and comfort on faster roads to mask the car’s 1.9-tonne weight superbly.

Thursday

The C-HR+ driver’s environment is a welcome relief from the pared-to-the-bone minimalism of so many cars nowadays. The dash and infotainment screens are easy to read, even if the touchscreen’s menus are not the most intuitive to run through. Much better are physical rotary dials for the cabin temperature control, stereo volume and the simple gear selector. It makes you realise how poor some rivals are when you sit in the Toyota.

Friday

It’s the school holidays and dropping my son off to play football with his mates was easy. Picking him and a couple of others up afterwards flagged up the tight rear seat space of the C-HR+. For a mid-size hatch, it’s disappointing, particularly when most EVs now provide generous back seat accommodation. The Toyota’s boot is also smaller than I’d ideally like for this class of car.

Saturday

A rare Saturday morning with nothing more to do than catch up with some friends for a coffee, the Toyota was freed from sensible duties to ferry me there. On some cracking back roads, the C-HR+ shows up an agile side I didn’t expect. It grips gamely, steers neatly and generally feels rather nimble, if not quite as deft on its toes as a Škoda Elroq. Even so, it made me savour the return journey.

Sunday

A mid-week top-up charge has seen the C-HR+ last all the way until now. Plugging it into a local public charger saw it draw down the volts quickly thanks to a maximum 150kW charging capacity, so it didn’t take long to be back on our way. All in, the Toyota C-HR+ has proved to be a surprisingly able and appealing EV that deserves more attention.