Toyota’s next C-HR to get plug-in hybrid option

BRUSSELS — The next Toyota C-HR compact SUV will come with a plug-in hybrid version as well as a conventional full-hybrid drivetrain when it arrives next year, Toyota said.

Toyota last week unveiled the C-HR Prologue concept, a preview of the production model, here at its annual Kenshiki forum. The concept continues the fastback four-door styling of the first-generation C-HR, which was launched in 2016. 

The addition of a plug-in hybrid C-HR will give Toyota three plug-in models, including the RAV4 midsize SUV and the new Prius, which will only be sold as a plug-in hybrid in Europe. 

The C-HR will continue to be built in Turkey, Toyota said. It will be the first plug-in Toyota model built in the Europe region.

The company confirmed it will also assemble the battery pack in the Europe region. No facility was named for this assembly role, and the battery’s cells will continue to be imported from outside Europe. Toyota did not reveal the plug-in hybrid’s performance, electric range or battery size. 

No further details were given about the production version of the car, although it is likely to use the fifth generation of Toyota’s hybrid system that was first applied to the Corolla Cross compact SUV and then the new Prius. If the C-HR gains the same plug-in hybrid drivetrain as the Prius, that would give it a combined 223 hp from the combination of an electric motor and a 2.0-liter gasoline engine.