2026 Subaru Uncharted

One of three new or redesigned electric SUVs for Subaru, the Uncharted sizes up like the Subaru Crosstrek but is related to the Toyota C-HR. The Uncharted shapes up as a stylish small SUV with thin headlights and thick black rocker panels, in the Subaru way. The body lines sweep up to a fastback-like rear end, with rear door handles nestled into the window frame and a ducktail roof spoiler. The raked rear windshield cuts into cargo space in the name of style. It’s a smaller, more attractive take than the Solterra, but it comes standard with front-wheel drive (FWD) and starts at about $5,000 less.

Those FWD models will be released in limited numbers, if demand dictates. Most Uncharteds will be dual-motor all-wheel-drive (AWD) models with an estimated range of 287 miles but an uncharacteristically quick driving experience. It leans into turns like a high-riding SUV yet it’s planted with plenty of grip and reassuring safety, also in the Subaru way. The Uncharted AWD tops $41,000.

In addition to the C-HR, rivals include the Chevrolet Equinox EV, the Nissan Leaf, and the Hyundai Kona Electric.

We’ve spent hundreds of hours driving and evaluating this generation of electric SUVs, including the Subaru Uncharted.

Don’t plan on the base Uncharted Premium FWD and its $36,495, 300-mile promise. We recommend the dual-motor Uncharted Sport for $41,195, including destination. In addition to AWD and a standard NACS port, it comes with a heat pump to help preserve range in colder weather. Standard creature comforts include heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, dual wireless device chargers rated at 15W, dual-zone climate control, and a full suite of driver-assist and safety systems. It’s a relatively good deal in the EV space, but the Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid starts at about $6,000 less.

Before buying an Uncharted, check the Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price to know what you should really pay. Recouping more money when selling a vehicle can mean a bigger down payment and lower monthly payments on the next one.

We haven’t tested the base Premium FWD model and it sounds like not many people will get the chance, so our impressions are limited to the dual-motor AWD Uncharted. In a word, it’s spry. The permanent-magnet synchronous motors generate 338 horsepower, and in an uncanny turn for Subaru, it’s quick from a stop. Subaru quotes a zero-to-60-mph time of less than 5 seconds, but it feels closer to 4 than 5.

A 74.7-kWh battery pack sets the floor for the Uncharted, and with Subaru’s AWD system, it’s a solid, planted ride. An X-Mode feature controls torque and throttle response for optimal traction at low speeds, like if you’re stuck or want to climb. We’d stick to the charted paths, however. The Uncharted has 8.2 inches of ground clearance, which is half an inch less than gas-powered Subaru SUVs. We didn’t off-road it, but we wouldn’t travel too far off fire access roads.

The Uncharted blazes a better path on roads. Weighing less than 4,500 pounds, it’s relatively nimble but it’s no canyon carver.

Paddle shifters enable four regenerative braking settings, but you’ll need to hit the friction brake to come to a complete stop. Curiously, every time you power off the car it resets the regen setting to the lightest level. But if you leave the heated seats or steering wheel on, they’ll stay on. We’d prefer that switched.

It’s a relatively quiet and quick ride, which is a big difference from gas-powered Subarus, including the Crosstrek Hybrid.

Powertrain, Range, & Charging

The first thing to notice on the interior of the Uncharted is the small, square-shaped steering wheel and recessed instrument cluster nested against the base of the windshield.  It’s common on Toyota’s e-TNGA EV platform, and appears the same as what’s in the Solterra, as well as the Toyota C-HR and bZ. You get used to it soon enough, but the small iconography on the cluster might require your cheaters.

Elsewhere in the cabin, Subaru does a good job of putting some pop in shared cost-cutting components. The dash features an orangish-gold band and has some textured plastics to mix it up. Below the dual wireless chargers is a big recess to stow small bags and other stuff. Big door pockets enable cups and carriers for big thirsts.

The rear seats can tilt back a bit, but the sloping roofline of the Uncharted eats into headroom. Legroom of only 32.2 inches makes it tight, and a 6-footer sitting behind a 6-foot driver might look for other seats. Cargo volume is rated at 25.4 cubic feet, including what you can stow below the floor. Above it, you could fit four rollerboards and a couple backpacks, but it would further block the already limited rear visibility.

For more room and utility, look to the larger Solterra. But the Uncharted looks better.

Standard NACS port: The Uncharted comes with a North American Charging System (NACS) port, which is the slim Tesla-style connector that enables DC-fast charging at Tesla’s Supercharging network. It can only accept 150 kW, but even at 100 kW it’ll charge from 10% to 80% charge in 28 minutes. A CCS adapter is included for charging at non-NACS stations.

It has an 11-kW onboard charger for Level 2 charging at home. That’ll fully juice the Uncharted overnight, or in about six hours, according to Subaru.

Sport standard features: Our recommendation for the Sport trim is based not just on the dual-motor AWD upgrade, but also all the features included on this mid-level trim. The dual wireless device chargers at the base of the console are rated at 15 kW, so it’ll stay juiced even when using the wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto pairing with the infotainment system. The chargers are dwarfed by the large 14-inch touchscreen. It’s huge but only optimized for the full space when using navigation. We defaulted to Apple CarPlay for most things, which meant the bottom quarter of the screen showed the climate controls.

Other standard features on every trim include windshield deicers, a power liftgate, and heated front seats.

EyeSight: Included in every Uncharted is Subaru’s EyeSight safety system, which includes blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, and a host of other safety and convenience systems that err on the safe side, by design. Subaru’s seat-belt reminder chime might be the most effective on the market because of how obnoxious it is; it will not be ignored.