Toyota’s Weirdest Crossover Has Returned With The Power It Always Needed
It’s perfectly fine for the automotive world to get a little strange sometimes. Some of the weirdest cars ever made get a cult following due to being distinct and different. Toyota’s weirdest crossover is an excellent example of how being unusual isn’t a problem. However, being underpowered is. Maybe the Toyota crossover would have been more popular if it had debuted with more muscle. But the automaker seemed to learn its lesson because the peculiar compact crossover is officially back with more juice.
144 HP Wasn’t Enough Power
The Toyota crossover that earns the title of being the weirdest was also referred to as being extremely underpowered when it first launched in 2018. It made its debut with a standard 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that produces an underwhelming 144 horsepower and 139 lb-ft of torque. But it gets people to their intended destination eventually.
It can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in about 10.5 seconds and covers a quarter mile in roughly 18.4 seconds at 79 mph. The compact crossover features a top speed of 105 mph, which isn’t exactly thrilling. Still, the economy model had a little potential with its original MSRP of $22,500 for drivers who needed something in a pinch.
But most drivers weren’t swayed by its weak offerings. The weird crossover suffered from a lack of options like all-wheel drive and the hybrid powertrain that was available overseas. As a result, sales plummeted. The crossover failed to compete against the Toyota Corolla Cross and its hybrid power and AWD capability when it arrived in 2020.
Somehow, the weirdest Toyota crossover managed to survive a little longer in America. It was officially discontinued in 2022 after a five-year run. It met its end in Australia and Japan in the middle of 2023 when production of the first-generation model ended. A second-generation model limped along in a few European countries.
But The 2026 Toyota C-HR Packs A Shocking Punch
There’s good news for fans of the funky Toyota C-HR, because it returned for 2026 with a substantial power increase. However, it abandoned its internal combustion engine roots to go fully electric. It features an available all-wheel-drive electric dual-motor setup that’s paired with a 74.7-kWh battery pack to generate 338 hp and 323 lb-ft of torque.
As a result, the American 2026 C-HR can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in about 4.9 seconds and complete a quarter mile in about 13.2 seconds at 104 mph. Plus, it has a top speed of roughly 114 mph. This crossover will leave its first-generation model in the dust, boasting an electric range of 273 miles. Global models are available with a front-wheel drive configuration that produces 221 hp, which still serves as a solid horsepower increase.
To handle its high-performance nature, the Toyota C-HR EV has a low-profile stance with an athletic, aerodynamic shape on a specialized battery-electric platform to efficiently slice through high-speed winds and to improve its handling. The battery is placed low in the floor to maintain a stable center of gravity during fast lane changes. Also, the front 12.9-inch ventilated disc brakes and rear 12.5-inch solid disc brakes provide confident stopping power.
Here’s What Makes The C-HR Weird
Don’t worry, the 2026 C-HR definitely earns its title of the weirdest Toyota crossover. It has paddle shifters allowing you to adjust its regenerative braking levels, but they don’t shift gears. However, even with the ability to reach 60 mph in under five seconds, it doesn’t have a dedicated Power or Sport mode like most vehicles do. It only features modes for Eco, Normal, and Snow.
Then its sizing and pricing are a little odd. It’s a bit heavy for a small crossover at about 4,322 pounds, but the electric powertrain manages it well. It’s also about 177.9 inches in length, making it about a foot shorter than the Toyota bZ, which is about 184.6 inches long, while being less expensive. The C-HR has an MSRP of about $37,000, and the Toyota bZ starts at $34,900.
The crossover shouldn’t be faulted for being weird, as being unique can be great. But the coupe-like sloping roofline of the C-HR (Coupe High-Rider) provides a sleek and attractive style that goes against its name while it cuts into rear headroom and cargo space. Rear passengers are also subject to tiny windows and a dark interior space.
The sloping roofline is paired with thick rear pillars that lead to inconvenient blind spots. Plus, the door handles are placed extremely high, making them difficult for shorter individuals (under 5’1″) to reach. This prioritizes style over function, but the style overall is a bit incomplete. The project started as a Scion model before the brand was shut down, and it adopted curvy and sharp, unconventional proportions.
Sure, the Toyota C-HR is a weird crossover, but it’s also a bit of a high-performance bargain. It’s pretty rare to have 338 hp and AWD in its class, and it’s more affordable than potent rivals like the 2026 Volkswagen ID.4, which starts at $46,570 without having standard all-wheel drive. Its power-to-weight ratio of 0.078 hp per pound, or 174 hp per metric ton, is also worth noting.
Standard features include 18-inch wheels, LED headlights, a power lift gate, keyless entry, keyless start, synthetic leather-trimmed seats, a power-adjustable driver’s seat, heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, customizable interior ambient lighting, and dual-zone automatic climate control.
Plus, you get a dual wireless phone charging pad, wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, digital key capability, a 14-inch infotainment touchscreen, a 7.0-inch digital gauge cluster, a six-speaker sound system, parking sensors, automatic high beams, forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane centering assistance, and blind-spot warning with rear-cross traffic alert.
Source: Zero To 60 Times, Toyota
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