Toyota confirms reveal date for new hybrid-only SUV

Toyota has published the first official teaser of its second-generation C-HR, which it’ll fully unveil on June 26.

The new C-HR is due in Australia in the first half of 2024.

The teaser shows a shadowy image of the rear, only revealing a high-mounted full-width light bar consisting of three LED light strips interrupted by illuminated ‘Toyota C-HR’ lettering.

We also get a glimpse of the roof spoiler and small side windows which create a coupe-like silhouette.

Toyota previously confirmed the C-HR will be offered exclusively with hybrid and plug-in hybrid powertrains, unlike the outgoing model which is also offered with a petrol powertrain.

However, Toyota Australia has ruled out a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) option for the local market. The company has never offered PHEV versions of the Prius and RAV4 locally.

Recently spied prototypes show that the C-HR won’t vary too drastically from last December’s Prologue concept.

The Prologue has an evolution of the current model’s coupe-like profile plus some design cues from the newest Prius.

Spy shots have previously revealed the seemingly more spacious interior, which appears to borrow its gear selector, tablet-style touchscreen and climate control buttons from the new Prius.

It appears the C-HR will lose the hidden rear door handles of the current model, instead sporting flush door handles for both the front and rear doors.

The new model is also expected to have bigger wheels and shorter overhangs for a sportier appearance.

It will also adopt the new front-end ‘Hammerhead’ design language being rolled out across Toyota models.

The C-HR will be underpinned by the TNGA-C architecture, which is also used by the new-generation Prius.

Toyota hasn’t ruled out an electric-only version of the C-HR. It presently offers an electric version of the existing C-HR only in China.

Apart from promising ‘edgy design and advanced technologies’, Toyota hasn’t given any further technical specifications for the model.

Pricing will be announced at a later date, but a higher base price for the new C-HR range can be expected.

Currently, the C-HR’s pricing in Australia starts at $31,715 before on-roads for the GXL 2WD 1.2-litre turbo petrol, and extends to $38,465 before on-roads for the GR Sport and Koba 2WD Hybrids.

Starting in December, in-house battery production for the C-HR will begin at Toyota Motor Manufacturing Turkey for the European market.

Toyota says its Turkish expansion will aid its drive towards a 100 per cent CO2 reduction of its European vehicle line-up by 2035.

Locally, Toyota is aiming for 50 per cent of its sales to be of electrified vehicles – including EVs like the bZ4X – by 2025.

MORE: Everything Toyota C-HR