Muddy Stilettos


<p>The shift to electric has been revving up for years, but if you still find yourself fretting about charging costs, range calculators and getting stranded somewhere near Swindon, you&#8217;re certainly not alone. In fact, a recent survey by <em>Auto Trader</em> found that only a teeny 8% of women actively considered an EV the last time they bought a new car, with many citing range anxiety and lack of techy knowledge putting them off swapping petrol for plug-ins.</p>



<p>The good news? Electric cars have come a long way in tackling those EV-fears. We recently headed to <a href="https://www.steveneagell.co.uk/toyota" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Steven Eagell Toyota</a> to get behind the wheel of three very different members of their new all-electric family – the compact Urban Cruiser, the C-HR+, a stylish, long-ranger and the family-friendly bZ4X – and came away thinking that perhaps the question isn&#8217;t <em>whether</em> to go electric anymore, but <em>which one</em> to choose. Here are 5 things we wish we&#8217;d known sooner about electric roading.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-1-they-ve-finally-cracked-the-whole-style-thing">1. They&#8217;ve finally cracked the whole style thing</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/1-4.jpg" alt="Toyota C-HR+" class="wp-image-144040" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/1-4.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/1-4-600x400.jpg 600w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/1-4-1000x667.jpg 1000w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Rachel, Muddy Stilettos Editor, in the Toyota C-HR+ – the cows loved it too</figcaption></figure>



<p>Electric has had a serious glow-up<strong>. </strong>Let&#8217;s be real here, early electric cars weren&#8217;t exactly easy on the eye, but Toyota are switching up the style game.  The <a href="https://www.steveneagell.co.uk/toyota/new-cars/urban-cruiser/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">New Urban Cruiser</a> is the compact about-town-er. Small enough to slip into impossibly tight spaces without breaking into a parking panic sweat, but with enough chunky crossover styling that it still feels reassuringly substantial.</p>



<p>The <a href="https://www.steveneagell.co.uk/toyota/new-cars/toyota-chr-plus/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">C-HR+</a> turns heads. Sleek, sculptural and a little bit fashion-forward, it feels like the choice for drivers who appreciate good design, but you betta believe it also delivers on range. Then there&#8217;s the <a href="https://www.steveneagell.co.uk/toyota/new-cars/toyota-bz4x/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">bZ4X</a>, the roomy all-rounder. Bigger than its EV siblings, it&#8217;s made for drivers who need space to spread without sacrificing kerb appeal.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-2-nbsp-they-re-packed-full-of-tech-you-ll-actually-use">2. &nbsp;They’re packed full of tech you&#8217;ll actually use</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1920" height="2560" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Holly-Editor-Cambs-Suffolk-Toyota-Urban-Cruiser-2-scaled.jpeg" alt="Muddy Cambs Suffolk editor, Holly, in the Toyota Urban Cruiser" class="wp-image-144042" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Holly-Editor-Cambs-Suffolk-Toyota-Urban-Cruiser-2-scaled.jpeg 1920w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Holly-Editor-Cambs-Suffolk-Toyota-Urban-Cruiser-2-450x600.jpeg 450w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Holly-Editor-Cambs-Suffolk-Toyota-Urban-Cruiser-2-750x1000.jpeg 750w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Holly-Editor-Cambs-Suffolk-Toyota-Urban-Cruiser-2-1152x1536.jpeg 1152w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Holly-Editor-Cambs-Suffolk-Toyota-Urban-Cruiser-2-1536x2048.jpeg 1536w" sizes="(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Muddy Cambs Suffolk Editor, Holly, in the Toyota Urban Cruiser</figcaption></figure>



<p>While some drivers obsess over performance figures, we’re more interested in tech we’ll actually use – and Toyota delivers. Take the three-pin plug socket in the boot, available on the C-HR+ and bZ4X. Thanks to Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) technology, you can power everyday gadgets straight from the car. Emergency hair straightening? Sorted. Camping but refusing to sacrifice your morning flat white? Bring the coffee machine. Heck, pack the air fryer.</p>



<p>Then there are dual wireless charging pads as standard on the C-HR+ and selected bZ4X grades, so no passive-aggressive negotiations when both phones are limping along on 2%. Every Toyota EV also comes with a three-pin charging cable, meaning no wallbox? <em>Pas de problème</em>. Plug into a regular household socket for an easy top-up – not the speediest option, but reassuringly handy when you’re finding your electric feet.</p>



<p>Our Muddy test drivers also rated the oversized touchscreen: slick, responsive and, crucially, it doesn’t hide every everyday function behind a maze of menus. Because life’s too short to watch a YouTube tutorial just to adjust the climate control.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-3-going-electric-feels-much-more-achievable">3. Going electric feels much more achievable</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Untitled-design-48.png" alt="Hero Toyota bZ4X" class="wp-image-144073" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Untitled-design-48.png 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Untitled-design-48-600x400.png 600w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Untitled-design-48-1000x667.png 1000w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Hero, Muddy Stilettos Founder, off-roading in the Toyota bZ4X</figcaption></figure>



<p>One of the biggest misconceptions about electric cars is that they&#8217;re only for people with Bellingham-sized bank balances. Thankfully, that&#8217;s no longer the case. Toyota&#8217;s all-electric range starts with the new Urban Cruiser from £31,995, making it a way more accessible first step into EV ownership, while the entry point for the C-HR+ is £32,995. Even the larger bZ4X starts from a wholly respectable £38,495. </p>



<p>Petrol prices soaring? On average, petrol cars cost 19-21p per mile, whilst EVs can be as little as 3p per mile, if charged at home, and depending on the per kWh rate. Suddenly going electric stops feeling like a leap of faith and more like a very sensible option.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-4-safety-without-the-alphabet-soup">4. Safety without the alphabet soup</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Untitled-design-2026-07-22T125843.628-1000x667.jpg" alt="Inside the BZ4X" class="wp-image-144010" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Untitled-design-2026-07-22T125843.628-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Untitled-design-2026-07-22T125843.628-600x400.jpg 600w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Untitled-design-2026-07-22T125843.628.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Here&#8217;s the thing: you might not buy a car because it has Emergency Steering Assist, but a little extra reassurance never hurts. From rogue scooters and wobbling bikes to that parent who thinks double yellow lines don&#8217;t apply to them, the school run keeps you on your toes. Thankfully, <a href="https://www.toyota-europe.com/brands-and-services/toyota/toyota-safety-sense" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Toyota&#8217;s Safety Sense</a>, is keeping watch too, with its Pre-Collision System warning of a potential collision and automatically applying the brakes if needed.</p>



<p>Then there are the clever features you barely notice until you really need them. Depending on the model and trim, Rear Cross Traffic Alert keeps watch as you reverse out of a busy car park, while Blind Spot Monitor covers those awkward areas your mirrors can&#8217;t quite reach. Particularly handy for families is Safe Exit Assist, which can warn if a cyclist or vehicle is approaching from behind before a door is opened – useful when small passengers aren&#8217;t exactly renowned for checking their mirrors first.</p>



<p>And, where fitted, look out for Toyota&#8217;s Rear Seat Reminder, designed to prompt you to check the back before walking away. Handy whether you&#8217;ve got a snoozing small person, the dog or a week&#8217;s worth of forgotten PE kit in there.</p>



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-5-there-s-a-toyota-ev-for-every-driver">5. There’s a Toyota EV for every driver</h2>



<p>Still torn? We’ve done the test drive so you don’t have to (well, you still should, but you know what we mean). Forget the spec sheet, we&#8217;ve skipped the technical jargon and focused on the things you&#8217;ll actually appreciate. </p>



<div class="wp-block-muddy-blocks-giftguide gift"><div class="gift-img"><img decoding="async" class="card__image" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Untitled-design-2026-07-22T130957.684.jpg" alt="Urban Cruiser"/></div><div class="gift-text"><div class="gift-price"><h2 class="giftguide-title">New Urban Cruiser</h2><div class="giftguide-body"><p><strong>Best for:</strong> Nip about town-ers. Think of it as the Goldilocks of the range – big enough to feel like a proper SUV, compact enough that parking doesn&#8217;t become a spectator sport. Its brilliantly clever sliding rear seats let you switch between extra boot space and more legroom in seconds, so it&#8217;s just as happy carrying the weekly shop as it is accommodating an unexpectedly large Facebook Marketplace bargain.</p><p><strong>What we loved:</strong> Funky styling and park assist tech that make it a doddle slipping into tight spots.</p><p><strong>Price:</strong> From £31,995<strong> </strong></p><p><strong>Range:</strong> Up to 264 Miles.</p><p><strong>Charging: </strong>150kW rapid charging time, approx. 45 mins from 10% to 80%. 7kW wallbox charge time, approx 9 to 9.5 hrs from 15% to 100%.</p><p></p></div></div></div></div>



<div class="wp-block-muddy-blocks-giftguide gift"><div class="gift-img"><img decoding="async" class="card__image" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Untitled-design-2026-07-22T125832.490.jpg" alt="CHR+"/></div><div class="gift-text"><div class="gift-price"><h2 class="giftguide-title">New Toyota C-HR+</h2><div class="giftguide-body"><p><strong>Best for:</strong> Drivers who&#8217;d rather not disappear into a sea of sensible SUVs (because life&#8217;s too short to drive something boring), the C-HR+ is the one you&#8217;ll glance back at after you&#8217;ve parked. There&#8217;s still plenty of substance though, particularly when it comes to the whopping electric range of up to 376 miles. In other words, you&#8217;ll probably need a coffee before the car needs a recharge.</p><p><strong>What we loved:</strong> Head-turning looks paired with long-range appeal; it feels like the car you&#8217;d choose, not the one you settled for.</p><p><strong>Price:</strong> From £32,995</p><p><strong>Range:</strong> up to 376 miles</p><p><strong><strong>Charging: </strong></strong>150kW rapid charging time,<strong> </strong>approx. 28 mins from 10% to 80%. 7kW wallbox charge time: Approx 11 hrs.</p></div></div></div></div>



<div class="wp-block-muddy-blocks-giftguide gift"><div class="gift-img"><img decoding="async" class="card__image" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Untitled-design-2026-07-22T125759.506.jpg" alt="Bz4X"/></div><div class="gift-text"><div class="gift-price"><h2 class="giftguide-title">Toyota bZ4X</h2><div class="giftguide-body"><p><strong>Best for:</strong> Families who travel with everything except the kitchen sink (although it would probably take that too). The bZ4X is the roomy all-rounder. Quiet enough to hear yourself think and comfy enough that nobody starts asking &#8220;Are we nearly there yet?&#8221; 20 mins in. With generous rear legroom for gangly teens and a practical 452-litre boot for all your paraphernalia, it&#8217;ll happily soak up a week in Cornwall before resuming duties as the family taxi.</p><p><strong>What we loved:</strong> The &#8220;let&#8217;s just chuck it in&#8221; vibe of it. It&#8217;s the car that just sort of gets on with whatever family life throws at it.</p><p><strong>Price:</strong> From £38,495</p><p><strong>Range:</strong> up to 352 Miles</p><p><strong>Charging</strong>: 150kW rapid charging time, approx. 32 mins from 10% to 80%. 7kW wallbox charge time, approx 9 to 10.5 hrs from 0% to 100%.</p></div></div></div></div>



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-muddy-verdict">The Muddy Verdict</h2>



<p>After testing out all three all-electric cars, the real revelation wasn&#8217;t one standout feature or flashy flourish; it was how refreshingly ordinary going electric now feels. Whether you&#8217;re after a compact runaround, a stylish long-ranger or a roomy family SUV, Toyota has quietly removed many of the reasons people are put off switching to EVs Sure, you might have to sacrifice some luxe detailing, but the safety features and tech make up for it. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ready-to-make-the-switch">Ready to make the switch?</h2>



<p><strong>TALK TO:</strong> <a href="https://www.steveneagell.co.uk/toyota" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Steven Eagell Toyota</a>&#8216;s knowledgeable EV specialists. They can help with choosing the right model for you, home charging, running costs and all those gloriously practical ownership questions.</p>



<p><strong>LOCATIONS:</strong> Find your nearest <a href="https://www.steveneagell.co.uk/toyota/our-locations/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Steven Eagell Toyota dealership</a>.</p>



<p><strong>NEXT STEP:</strong> Book a test drive. Right now, Steven Eagell is offering £1,500 off selected all-electric models, including the Urban Cruiser, C-HR+ and bZ4X, until 30 Sep 2026. And some spend-happy PCP finance deals, including 0% APR and a £2,000 Finance Deposit Contribution on the Urban Cruiser. </p>



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-in-the-mood-for-more">IN THE MOOD FOR MORE?</h2>



<ul>
<li><a href="https://dorsetsomerset.muddystilettos.co.uk/cars/car-review-muddy-test-drives-the-all-new-toyota-urban-cruiser/">Car review: Muddy test drives the all-new Toyota Urban Cruiser</a></li>



<li><a href="https://berkshire.muddystilettos.co.uk/home/cars/why-buy-byd-car/">Hot wheels! Why BYD are the future of electric cars</a></li>



<li><a href="https://muddystilettos.co.uk/home/cars/the-best-evs-and-hybrids-to-buy-this-year/">Electric dreams: The best new EVs and hybrids to buy in 2026</a></li>
</ul>


Thinking of going electric? 5 reasons Toyota’s EVs should be on your radar

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