Subaru’s push into the EV market is happening in the midst of an industry-wide plateauing of the genre. Going from one EV last year—the Solterra—to a lineup of three EVs for 2026 is an aggressive move. The smallest of Subie’s electric adventure-mobiles is the Uncharted, which is purported to be a sort of electric equivalent to the brand’s popular Crosstrek subcompact crossover. The mid-size Trailseeker completes the trio.
The Uncharted has a sort-of futuristic Crosstrek look about it, but if you get the impression that it’s not entirely Subaru-esque, well, that’s because it’s a clone of the Toyota C-HR. Like the brand’s other electrics, the Uncharted was developed in conjunction with Toyota, and these cars share a platform, powertrains, and batteries.
Besides some styling differences, Subaru says it’s responsible for the steering and suspension tuning, which is a way of saying there are minor differences in the way these two cars go down the road.
Pavement and Dirt
In our test drive of a top-spec GT model, we found acceleration to be surprisingly rapid. The Uncharted GT’s two electric motors combine for 338 horsepower, and even in the most conservative driving mode, Eco, a sharp stab of the throttle results in a satisfying burst of speed. Less satisfying is the Uncharted’s regenerative braking. Even in its highest setting, it lacks the aggressive deceleration to provide true one-pedal driving.
Handling is competent and stable, but the steering feels lifeless. The ride is well damped, even on the GT’s 20-inch wheels. This is an SUV that’s been tuned to hit the expectations of casual drivers who are unlikely to be found hot-rodding on canyon roads.
Subaru has shoehorned as much off-road capability into the Uncharted as it could too. All trims boast 8.2 inches of ground clearance and a four-wheel independent suspension. We sampled its X-Mode terrain-response feature—which comes on Sport and GT trims, but not on the base Premium FWD—at an off-road park and can report that the Uncharted will traverse bigger dirt mounds and moguls than most of its buyers will likely attempt.
Accommodations and Tech
The cabin is surprisingly spacious given the Uncharted’s modest exterior dimensions. Cargo room is more generous here than in the Crosstrek, and rear-seat space feels a little more open in the Uncharted. The front seats are well cushioned, and the driving position is agreeable.
The extra-wide center console lacks meaningful cubby storage; instead, the available real estate is dominated by two large smartphone charging pads. The bin underneath the console is difficult to access while driving; it is also the location of the car’s USB-C charging ports. There is no glovebox, but a shallow cubby under the front-seat armrest and large door-mounted storage pockets are a saving grace for stashing small items.
A large 14.0-inch infotainment touchscreen is within easy reach, and it runs a version of Toyota’s latest interface, which is intuitive and snappy in its performance. A smaller 7.0-inch digital gauge display in front of the driver is set farther back toward the base of the windshield.
Speaking of tech, Subaru equips all models with its suite of EyeSight driver-assistance doodads. Adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and pedestrian-detection features are all included. You get blind-spot monitoring and automated emergency braking too.
A 360-degree camera system is optional, as is a camera view intended for use off-road—although we found it perplexing that the terrain-view camera wouldn’t operate at speeds higher than 6 mph, and we had to keep punching the camera button throughout the staged off-road event.
The Catch
To unlock the longest driving range, you’ll have to give up one thing that has undeniably made a Subaru a Subaru: all-wheel drive. Regardless of trim or powertrain, all models come with the same 67-kWh (estimated) battery pack, with the front-wheel-drive Premium rated for up to 308 miles of driving per charge. Meanwhile, the all-wheel-drive Sport (287 miles) and GT (273) lag a little behind.
Read More About the Uncharted and C-HR
We didn’t have a chance to sample a front-wheel-drive Uncharted, but its single motor is rated for 224 ponies, so that satisfying acceleration we enjoyed in the GT model is unlikely to be replicated in the Premium. Its off-road capability will also be more limited.
The upside is that the Premium FWD is the lowest priced of the three, so entry-level buyers may find that trim the most attractive anyway. Its starting price is just $36,445, which gives it a roughly $4000 advantage over a base single-motor Tesla Model Y. Curiously, Toyota doesn’t offer a front-wheel-drive variant of the C-HR, and its price reflects that, allowing the Subaru to take the spotlight for the lowest cost of entry.
Subaru says only a limited number of front-wheel-drive Uncharteds will be offered for sale; the quantity will be based entirely on demand, and the expectation is that the interest in the Premium trim will come mainly from markets such as California and other Sunbelt states. Otherwise, buyers in other areas will see the all-wheel-drive Sport and GT trims in their local Subaru showrooms (wearing window stickers with prices starting at $41,245 and $45,245, respectively). Which should help them recognize this Toyota as a Subaru.
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Specifications
Specifications
2026 Subaru Uncharted EV
Vehicle Type: front- or front- and rear-motor, front- or all-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door wagon
PRICE
Base: Premium FWD, $36,445; Sport, $41,245; GT, $45,245
POWERTRAIN
Front Motor: permanent-magnet synchronous AC, 224 hp, 198 lb-ft
Rear Motor, (If present): permanent-magnet synchronous AC, 117 hp, 125 lb-ft
Combined Power: 338 hp
Battery Pack: liquid-cooled lithium-ion, 67 kWh (C/D est)
Peak Charge Rate, AC/DC: 11/150 kW
Transmissions, F/R: direct-drive
DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase: 108.3 in
Length: 177.8 in
Width: 73.6 in
Height: 63.8 in
Passenger Volume, F/R: 55/35–37 ft3
Cargo Volume, Behind F/R: 60/25 ft3
Curb Weight (C/D est): 4150–4500 lb
PERFORMANCE (C/D EST)
60 mph: 4.4–5.7 sec
1/4-Mile: 12.8–14.0 sec
Top Speed: 101 mph
EPA FUEL ECONOMY (C/D EST)
Combined/City/Highway: 120–122/131–134/109–111 MPGe
Range: 273-308 mi
Drew Dorian is a lifelong car enthusiast who has also held a wide variety of consumer-focused positions throughout his career, ranging from financial counselor to auto salesperson. He has dreamed of becoming a Car and Driver editor since he was 11 years old—a dream that was realized when he joined the staff in April 2016. He’s a born-and-raised Michigander and learned to drive on a 1988 Pontiac Grand Am. His automotive interests run the gamut from convertibles and camper vans to sports cars and luxury SUVs.
