Subaru’s EV lineup is hitting a growth spurt, and once again we have Toyota to thank for that.
The two automakers previously collaborated on the Subaru Solterra and Toyota bZ4X (now just bZ), and are applying that same template to two more electric models for 2026.
The 2026 Subaru Uncharted is the smaller of the two (the other is the wagon-like Trailseeker which gets rebadged as the Toyota bZ Woodland) and is a near-twin of the 2026 Toyota C-HR. The two small crossovers share dimensions, most styling elements, and a battery pack, but in the reverse of what’s expected, the Toyota is only offered with all-wheel drive while the Subaru gets a single-motor front-wheel drive base model. Other than the BRZ, the Uncharted is the only model in Subaru’s current U.S. lineup without all-wheel drive. And it’s the first front-wheel drive Subaru sold in the U.S. in decades.
(Full disclosure: Subaru paid for travel, food, and lodging so I could drive the 2026 Uncharted.)
It may be out of the ordinary for Subaru, but the specs of the base Uncharted Premium (the only single-motor model) don’t extend into uncharted territory (no pun intended) for the general EV market. Its 221 horsepower is adequate and its estimated 308 miles of range (from a 74.7-kilowatt-hour battery pack shared with all-wheel drive models) nearly matches the Nissan Leaf and is just 10 miles short of a large-battery Hyundai Ioniq 5.
All-wheel drive Sport and GT models have the same 338 hp as the C-HR, but Subaru claims a 4.7-second zero to 60 mph time that’s 0.2 second quicker than the Toyota. However, that comes at the expense of range, as the Sport is expected to get just 287 miles per charge. The GT is estimated at an even lower 273 miles, owing to its (admittedly stylish) 20-inch wheels and higher curb weight. When it’s time to charge, Subaru says a 10 percent to 80 percent DC fast charge takes 28 minutes with the standard NACS port (which also enables Tesla Supercharger access), while a full Level 2 AC charge takes seven hours.
Subaru only had all-wheel drive models on hand for this test drive, the on-road portion of which took place on a very entertaining stretch of road between Laguna Beach and Lake Elsinore, California. Damp pavement from persistent rainfall made it the perfect Subaru environment, and the Uncharted took to it like a rally car to gravel.
The dual-motor EV was able to put its power down with only the occasional hint of traction control intervention, and was surprisingly poised and eager to attack each corner. That’s down to excellent tuning of otherwise humdrum components like electric power steering and MacPherson strut front/double-wishbone rear suspension. The steering was remarkably communicative, without the artificial lightness or heaviness that can afflict these systems. The suspension kept body roll in check without being overly harsh, further enhancing control and providing a decently comfortable ride even with the GT’s 20-inch wheels.
Subaru wouldn’t have used the name Uncharted if it intended this EV to only be good on pavement. For the rougher stuff, the Uncharted has up to 8.2 inches of ground clearance and X-Mode drive modes. Front-wheel drive Premium models only get Snow mode, while all-wheel drive Sport and GT Snow/Dirt and Deep Snow/Mud modes, along with hill descent control and Grip Control, which essentially acts as low-speed off-road cruise control.
Subaru set up a small, fairly technical course to test these features out. While the Uncharted doesn’t demand much from the driver in these situations, it’s hard to imagine taking one onto a trail for fun. The electronics do a lot of work to compensate for the lack of suspension articulation and (for now at least) all-terrain tires. But the Uncharted should be more than adequate for dirt roads and snow, at least in all-wheel drive form.
The Uncharted also looks more at home on a winding road than crawling over dirt moguls. Its sleek roofline, dual-element rear spoiler, and utter lack of straight lines anywhere on the body suggest a sporty hatchback, not an SUV. There’s a lot of black plastic cladding on the lower parts of the body, but it’s got a shiny finish that seems intended more for visual slimming than indicating toughness. And while the Uncharted is essentially a Toyota C-HR—right down to the hidden rear door handles—with the same Subaru EV front-end treatment as the 2026 Solterra and Trailseeker, it works. There’s no discordance between the Subaru and Toyota styling elements.
Inside, the Uncharted also borrows a lot from the other Subaru/Toyota EVs. The standard 7.0-inch digital instrument cluster is placed low and very far away from the driver, necessitating a small, square steering wheel to see it. Angular plastic trim meeting up in odd ways is the theme of the rest of the interior, but it at least seems on-brand for Subaru, given the automaker’s history of quirky design elements like the XT’s joystick shifter and the SVX’s windows within windows. The low dashboard also creates excellent outward visibility, aided by a fairly low and short hood.
The standard 14.0-inch touchscreen sits inelegantly on top of the dashboard, but at least it’s easy to use. My only complaint is a fairly long boot time when starting the car. You get wireless Apple CarPlay Android Auto, and Subaru thankfully left the climate control and audio mostly to analog buttons and knobs. Two large wireless device chargers keep phones secure, while a storage nook under the center console and a decent-sized storage bin still provide plenty of room for stashing smaller items.
Subaru considers the Uncharted to be an electric analog to the Crosstrek, although the EV is slightly bigger, with a 3.2-inch longer wheelbase. The Uncharted does have more cargo space than a Crosstrek, but that comes at the expense of rear-seat legroom. Compared to other EVs, the Uncharted is a bit of an in-betweener, but it does have similar headroom and first-row legroom to slightly larger EVs like the Ford Mustang Mach-E and Hyundai Ioniq 5. Cargo space also gets close to those models—and surpasses the Nissan Leaf—if you fold the rear seats down to make room for all the outdoor gear a stereotypical Subaru owner might need.
About one third of those owners would consider an EV, according to Subaru, and they’ll likely be further enticed by the Uncharted’s $36,445 base price (including a $1,450 destination charge). However, that’s just for the front-wheel drive Premium model. The all-wheel drive Sport and GT start at $41,245 and $45,245 with destination, respectively.
Even without all-wheel drive, the Uncharted Premium’s base price and 308-mile range are impressive. But a Nissan Leaf S+ with similar range can be had for about $5,000 less. And the all-wheel drive Toyota C-HR starts $2,795 lower than the all-wheel drive Uncharted models, which in turn are priced surprisingly close to the Solterra that’s supposed to sit above the Uncharted in Subaru’s lineup.
The Uncharted thus doesn’t move the needle when it comes to value, nor does it offer more range or better charging than other mainstream EVs. But as a car, its good handling, distinctive styling, and compact proportions make it worthy of consideration.
[Images © 2026 Stephen Edelstein/TTAC.com]
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