123 - 140
221 - 338
1 speed, Automatic
Electric
All Wheel Drive, Front Wheel Drive
Subaru is well known for building crossover SUVs that excel both at daily driving and off-the-beaten-path adventures. As the brand expands its electric-vehicle (EV) offerings, that goal has not changed, and the all-new Uncharted is all the proof you need. The fully electric Uncharted compact crossover is Subaru's smallest and least expensive EV offering. Yet its powerful, efficient drivetrain, advanced technology, and off-road capability should appeal to new customers and established Subaru fans alike.
Photo: Perry Stern
With its lower starting price, the Subaru Uncharted joins the Solterra and the new Trailseeker as the entry point into Subaru's EV lineup. While similar in size to the brand's popular Crosstrek, the Uncharted features a powerful dual-motor drivetrain that delivers impressive acceleration and X-Mode for optimized off-road capability.
The 2026 Subaru Uncharted is a five-passenger compact crossover available in three trim levels: Premium, Sport, and GT. The Premium comes exclusively with single-motor front-wheel drive (FWD), while the Sport and GT feature the more powerful dual-motor system with all-wheel drive (AWD). Base prices range from around $37,000 to $46,000, including the destination charge.
For this 2026 Uncharted review, Subaru provided a test vehicle equipped with the GT trim and optional premium Habanero Orange Metallic two-tone paint. The test vehicle's manufacturer suggested retail price (MSRP) was $46,215, including the $1,450 destination charge to ship the crossover from the Japan assembly plant to a local dealership. The price does not reflect any current rebates, incentives, or price adjustments since Subaru manufactured the test vehicle.
Photo: Perry Stern
With a long wheelbase, short overhangs, and bold fenders, the new Subaru Uncharted has a sportier look than the rest of the brand's EV lineup. All of Subaru's EVs share the same basic front design, with wraparound, slim LED running lights and LED headlights below, which are almost invisible when unlit. At the rear, the taillight design mimics the front running lights, and with “SUBARU” spelled across the rear hatch, the Uncharted will not be mistaken for its all-new Toyota C-HR cousin.
Inside the Uncharted, the wide dashboard features a two-tier design, slim vents, and an eye-catching orange strip that spans the width of the car. At the center is a 14-inch infotainment touchscreen that also houses the climate controls, with embedded dials for easy adjustment of the dual-zone cabin temperatures. A physical volume knob sits in the center, always a welcome feature.
The center console features the gear selector and physical buttons for drive functions such as traction control and X-Mode, but two wireless smartphone chargers take up most of the space. While this is a handy feature, additional storage space would seem more useful. That said, there is plenty of space for stowing larger items below the center console, and a sizeable cubby is also available below the center armrest.
Perhaps the most unusual feature is the 7-inch gauge cluster mounted high on the dashboard at the base of the windshield. From the driver's seat, the digital display is seen above the steering wheel rather than through it. However, the squared-off top makes the screen easier to view.
Seats in the GT feature a stylish two-tone design trimmed in StarTex, Subaru's synthetic leather. Heated and ventilated with power adjustments, the seats offer good support and remain comfortable after a day behind the wheel.
The rear seats have a similar style but with less bolstering. While they are comfortable, legroom is tight, especially for taller passengers. Heated outboard seats are standard on the GT, and dual USB-C ports keep everyone's devices powered. Because the back of the center console extends into the rear seat area, the middle seat is best reserved for smaller passengers.
While the rear-seat legroom is considerably less than you would find in the Subaru Crosstrek, the Uncharted offers a substantially larger cargo area. With 23 cubic feet behind the rear seats, you can fit multiple larger bags, and the low lift-over height makes loading easy. If you are looking to haul larger items, folding the 60/40 split rear seat yields 59.5 cubic feet of space.
Photo: Perry Stern
The Subaru Multimedia infotainment system is standard on all Uncharted trims and is displayed on a large 14-inch touchscreen, the largest ever offered in a Subaru. With the standard 7-inch digital gauge cluster mounted high, a head-up display is unnecessary.
The infotainment system includes:
With its large screen, navigating the features is relatively straightforward, made easier by static shortcuts on the left for navigation, audio, communications, and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto when connected. Unfortunately, unlike many other automakers' systems, the Uncharted’s does not have a Home screen, so you cannot see multiple features at once. You can view a full screen map or what is playing on the audio system, but not simultaneously.
As part of the Drive Connect subscription trial, every Uncharted SUV includes the Intelligent Assistant natural-voice interface. While it is not as sophisticated as Google Assistant, it understood most of what I asked. Saying "Hey, Subaru" activates the system, which can adjust the cabin temperature, change the audio source, make a phone call, and even find the closest pizza parlor.
However, I chose to connect my Samsung Galaxy S23+ and use the more familiar Android Auto. Setup was seamless, and Android Auto used all available real estate for an easy-to-read screen. Unfortunately, that means the shortcuts disappear, and you must go through the Android Auto menu to return to the native system.
Photo: Perry Stern
Subaru equips the 2026 Uncharted GT with a dual-motor electric powertrain producing 338 horsepower and full-time AWD. The Sport uses the same drivetrain, while the Premium features a 221-hp single-motor FWD setup.
According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Subaru Uncharted GT has an estimated range of 273 miles, while the lighter Sport can go 287 miles. The range leader is the single-motor Premium, with an estimated range of 308 miles. My GT test vehicle showed a range of 270 miles with a full charge, a close match to the EPA figure. Currently, the EPA does not have an MPGe figure for the Uncharted, but the trip computer on my GT during my drive showed 3.4 miles per kilowatt hour, or 115 MPGe.
With a standard North American Charging System (NACS) port, the Uncharted can access a wide range of public chargers. It can charge at up to 150 kilowatts (kW) from a DC fast charger, and the new EV can reach 80 percent charge in about 30 minutes. With a Level 2 home charger that charges at up to 11 kW, the Uncharted can easily fully charge overnight.
Heading inland from Laguna Beach, California, to the off-road course Subaru built in Lake Elsinore, the Uncharted’s quickness was immediately apparent. Acceleration is strong from a stop, and even in wet weather, the AWD system provides excellent grip with virtually no wheelspin. According to Subaru, the Uncharted can sprint to 60 mph in just 4.7 seconds, rather quick for a compact crossover.
Using the paddle shifters, I could adjust the level of regeneration, which slows the EV by lifting off the throttle. However, Subaru does not offer one-pedal driving, which uses regenerative braking to bring an EV to a complete stop.
While there is never a lack of power, the Uncharted is not quite as sporty as it looks. The small EV is not light, and its mass becomes evident when tackling a twisting mountain road. It has considerably more power than the Subaru Crosstrek, but at about 1,200 pounds heavier, it does not feel as agile as the small gas-powered SUV. That said, the steering provides good response, and the brakes are strong and linear.
Pushing the Uncharted on a mountain road is likely not a common scenario for this small crossover. Yet, it performs quite well in more typical situations, such as cruising through town or driving on the freeway. Power is easy to manage, and the ride is quiet and solid on city streets or at highway speeds.
As expected of any Subaru crossover, the Uncharted is also quite capable of handling off-pavement adventures, boasting 8.2 inches of ground clearance. Dual-mode X-Mode is standard on the dual-motor Uncharted trims, optimizing the AWD system for Snow/Dirt or Deep Snow/Mud. The custom course featured moguls, uneven terrain, and a slick surface, and the Uncharted managed the course without issue. When one wheel left the ground, traction would transfer to the other three, and forward motion would continue.
Photo: Perry Stern
Subaru's EyeSight suite of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) comes standard on every Uncharted SUV. The feature set is extensive, especially for an entry level model, and includes:
While rear cross-traffic warning is a relatively common feature that uses radar to detect vehicles approaching from the side when backing out, front cross-traffic warning is somewhat unique, but it comes in handy. When pulling out of the hotel parking lot onto a busy road, the system provided an audible and visual alert when a car approached from beyond my line of sight.
The Uncharted also comes standard with adaptive cruise control with lane centering and stop-and-go functionality. On a four-lane highway with occasional stoplights, the system kept the Uncharted at the set 55 mph while providing subtle steering input to keep it centered in the lane.
Approaching a red light, the Subaru matched the speed of the vehicle ahead, all the way to a stop. When the light changed and the car ahead moved off, I touched the throttle, and the Uncharted smoothly accelerated back to the set speed.
As of this writing, neither the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) nor the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has published safety ratings for the 2026 Subaru Uncharted.
According to the JD Power 2025 Initial Quality Study (IQS), the Buick Encore GX ranks highest in the Small SUV segment. The Kia Soul ranks second, and the Chevrolet Trailblazer and Ford Bronco Sport rank third (in a tie).
According to the JD Power 2025 Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout (APEAL) Study, the Mini Countryman ranks highest in the Small SUV segment. The Hyundai Kona and the Buick Envista are the next highest-ranked models.
According to the JD Power 2026 Electric Vehicle Ownership (EVX) Study, the Ford Mustang Mach-E ranks highest in the Mass Market Battery Electric Vehicles segment. The Hyundai Ioniq 6 and the Kia EV9 are the next highest-ranked models.
Other 2026 Uncharted competitors include the Honda HR-V, Mazda CX-30, and the new Toyota C-HR.
