Toyota Motor Philippines currently has two battery electric vehicles and subjectively, they couldn’t have been more different. On one hand, there’s the bZ4X—a compact BEV that’s so good and so well-priced that we named it as one of our Top Picks of 2025. On the other, there’s the Urban Cruiser—a sub-compact BEV that’s more curry than sushi in character and one that was saddled (heavily) with the so-called “Toyota Tax.”
That 50-50 batting average isn’t boding well for a brand that just got their feet wet in the local EV game. While the ownership experience is stellar—free home charger install, free portable charger, and free charging at select Toyota dealerships—they need a better follow up to the bZ4X. So, continuing with Toyota’s alphabet soup of names, why not the C-HR+ then?
Compared to the Urban Cruiser which is just re-badged Suzuki eVitara, the C-HR+ is a Toyota through and through. It’s closely related to the bZ4X in that it shares the same e-TNGA platform though with a shortened wheelbase (roughly 210 mm down) and overall length (roughly 330 mm). Ground clearance is also slightly down, but at 185 mm is still ample for everyday driving.
The C-HR+ uses the same eAxle engineered by Aisin and Denzo (the same one used by the bZ4X) and the same PPES (a Toyota-Panasonic joint venture) lithium-ion NCM battery. Although available in both front- and all-wheel drive, to keep prices down (and to give the bZ4X some breathing room locally), Toyota Motor Philippines could opt to bring in the standard range front-wheel drive version. This version makes 167 horsepower and 269 Nm. Paired with a 57.7 kWh battery, it makes for a 458-kilometer range.
Again, like the bZ4X, the C-HR+ has a battery cooling system. A water-cooling arrangement uses refrigerant from the car’s air conditioning system to reduce the battery coolant temperature. The cooler operates from the battery’s lower surface so that each cell is cooled evenly.
Design-wise, the C-HR+ also closely mirrors the bZ4X with its front hammerhead design and coupe-inspired silhouette—only this time, it has its rear door handles “hidden” on the rear pillar. 20-inch wheels are on offer, but as you can see, 18-inchers are good enough in this case.
Inside, the cabin shares its spacious front layout with the new bZ4X down to the same 7-inch digital gauge cluster, 14-inch multimedia display with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, dual wireless chargers, and 60-watt USB Type C ports. In fact, the biggest differentiator is down to unique instrument panel finish and leather/fabric combination seats.
As for safety, the C-HR+ Toyota Safety Sense along with blind spot monitoring, adaptive high-beam, parking brake support, and a rear camera with sensors as standard.
Honestly, we think that if Toyota Motor Philippines managed to bring in the C-HR+ instead of the Urban Cruiser at similar price points, it would have been better received by pundits and the general public alike. Of course, we do not know for sure what the Japanese carmaker has in store for its BEV plans, save for the Hilux BEV which has already received a DOE recognition as a Battery Electric Vehicle paving its way for an eventual local sale.
Toyota should bring it here the more choices the merrier. Panasonic batteries already proven reliable, it’s Tesla’s longtime partner
ReplyDeleteIt's JUST a re-badged Suzuki eVitara! So what's wrong with the eVitara which I think hasn't even arrived here yet??
ReplyDeleteNot the C-HR+, no. The Urban Cruiser, yes.
Deletemaybe price wise??? It might be cheaper to import from India than Japan?
ReplyDeleteToyotas recently launched products- the ativ, rav4, urban cruiser, etc are all sales flop bcoz they are all very expensive. Thats why nobodys buying them but a very few handful. Toyotas give you less value with steep prices..
ReplyDeleteShow proof or else you’re just making up stories
DeleteThis actually looks like a 2.1m car unlike the rebadged Suzuki.
ReplyDeleteNow it's up to Subaru if they'll ever bring it's twin (Uncharted) to our market.
Toyota has to just keep on bringing more and more variants as much as possible so buyers would have more choice as well as convince those looking at Chinese cars to consider Toyota.
ReplyDeleteNothing beats a true blue Toyota like the CH-R+ but of course, need to consider its landed cost. There's also the BZ3X from its co-badge GAC model.
ReplyDeleteI've been waiting for the CH-R+ for nearly a year but gave up hope after the Urban Cruiser was launched with all its ugliness. Toyota will not bring in the CH-R + as it is too close the bz4x in spec and price meaning that there is too much overlap for sales. My only hope is for Subaru to get it's act together with the Uncharted but no homologation in sight. If not then last choice is the bz4x but no matter how many times I look at it those black wheel arches they just don't seem right. Guess I'll have to paint a brand new car or live with being ridiculed about them.
ReplyDeletesaw plenty of these in france and spain. looks very good but i think may be compromised sa space because of the roof line. very attractive design sana nga ito na lang instead of urban cruiser
ReplyDeleteDon't complain. They're different vehicles. If Toyota Ph wants to launch the CH-R+ they will.
DeleteDon't tell people not to complain. People are free to talk about cars they'd like to see here or their dissatisfaction with current offerings. That's called consumer preference and good companies pay attention to that.
DeleteEven the Chinese bZ3X would've been better than the rebadged Suzuki.
ReplyDelete