Through the joint efforts of Subaru and Toyota, the brands have offered the public several electric vehicle (EV) options in a variety of sizes. One particular vehicle that has come out of the collaboration in a smaller size is the Subaru Uncharted, a compact EV that has a lot to offer to properly fit into the Subaru brand. This week, I had the chance to check out the Subaru Uncharted in its mid-level Sport trim that features the more powerful symmetrical AWD drivetrain with dual motors, and I’m walking away pleased with my findings.
The new Subaru Uncharted, with its unique and endearing name, fundamentally replicates the formula from its larger EV stablemates, such as the Solterra and Trailseeker, both of which are larger EVs than the Uncharted. However, each of these vehicles shares the drivetrain and the overall design aspects when you look at the front end. It’s a clever play alongside Toyota’s C-HR, sharing the platform with the Uncharted, while the Toyota bZ and bZ Woodland directly share platforms with the Subaru Solterra and Trailseeker, respectively. With its much shorter wheelbase and body, about 7 inches shorter than the Solterra, the Uncharted has a sharper steering edge.
Powering the Subaru Uncharted is the now-familiar two-motor EV setup that’s good for 338 horsepower and 323 lb-ft of torque. Those figures feel like they are underrated, as I’ve claimed in driving the other Subaru EVs, where these vehicles feel quick scooting to 60 mph in just 4.2 seconds. That’s quite quick for such a vehicle that I would have otherwise thought would be much slower. Though the base Uncharted front-wheel-drive trim with its 208-horsepower single motor setup is a much calmer experience, it makes it to 60 mph in about 6.4 seconds. Though with the base FWD version, you get more range, about 308 miles, compared to my Uncharted Sport AWD’s 287-mile range. If you move up to the top trim, the Uncharted GT trim range takes another small hit, coming to 273 miles, which is due to the larger 20-inch wheels over the 18-inchers found on my Sport AWD trim.
As a Subaru, the Uncharted gets some off-roading cred from its 8.2 inches of ground clearance and X-MODE drive selector that modulates power through the two motors and brakes certain wheels for conquering off-roading environments. Moreover, the use of the trick 360-degree camera system comes in handy for off-roading as it patches an image together for what is under the vehicle as you drive along with the proper onscreen guidelines.
Overall, the Uncharted is a well-sorted vehicle out on the road with a compliant and smooth ride quality. It puts its smoothness over the sportiness, but its straight-line performance remains a bonus for this vehicle, all at the mercy of the all-season Toyo tires, which tend to be the weak point for the Uncharted’s lateral handling abilities. There’s a little bit of heft to contend with, having a curb weight of 4,430 pounds, but such isn’t a deal killer because there are plenty of other EVs near this class with a much larger curb weight number. Braking regen is good, and the friction brake seems to bite down hard when needed without unwanted transition sensations. I do enjoy the adjustability of braking regen for letting off the throttle. However, there is no real one-pedal driving mode, only a somewhat aggressive level of braking regen.
Getting into the efficiency of the Uncharted, there’s a lot to like here despite the range coming in just under 300 miles. I could see myself with some extra time getting just about 300 miles out of a full charge because of the times that the Uncharted showed remarkable efficiency out on the road around town. Its 106 MPGe highway and 127 MPGe city figures are often matched and slightly surpassed. While Subaru could improve in the range area, there’s a good foundation for them to work off, starting with its 74.7-kWh battery pack.
Charging up the battery, which is done through the Tesla-style NACS port, falls somewhat short of competitors, as does its range. Use of a DC fast charger will only give you up to 150 kW, where it takes about 28 minutes for a 10% to 80% state of charge. At home, using a Level 2 charger at 40 amps, you’ll look at about 8 hours to charge up a nearly depleted battery.
The interior of the Uncharted is a replicated space from its Solterra and Trailseeker EV siblings, with the differences taking place mostly in the rear seating area and cargo space. Such an environment is somewhat inviting for having just enough soft-touch surfaces to not feel overly cheap, in addition to having a long list of standard features that include the large 14-inch infotainment touchscreen that’s a page taken out of the Toyota book. Such an interface is straightforward and has a short learning curve for most. The integration of wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto comes in handy, as do the dual wireless smartphone chargers.
Seating areas have a surprisingly good amount of space with standard front heated seats. Seat ventilation up front is reserved for the top Uncharted GT trim, as are other highlights like the upgraded Harmon Kardon premium audio system, 20-inch wheels, heated rear outboard seats, and a large panoramic glass roof with a power sunshade. Cargo space, at just over 20 cubic feet with all seats in place and the clever deck board in place, is accessed by a power rear gate.
Subaru’s EyeSight driver assist tech makes it into the Uncharted with a few add-ons found in the Sport AWD trim over the base FWD trim, such as having traffic jam assist, DriverFocus Distraction Mitigation, and a 360-degree surround-view camera system. Otherwise, you get the typical highlighted active safety features of blind spot monitor, forward collision warning/emergency braking, rear cross-path detection/emergency braking, lane departure warning/mitigation, and adaptive cruise control with lane following.
Pricing remains a strong point for Subaru in many of its vehicles, including the EV range, starting with the Uncharted, which starts at $34,995 before any fees or options. The Uncharted Sport AWD starts at $39,795, coming to $41,720 as-tested, which only has the one option of the Habanero Orange Metallic paint at $475 and a $1,450 destination and delivery charge.
Malcolm Hogan is the founder and editor of Automotive Addicts, a trusted voice in the automotive media world for over two decades. With 20+ years of hands-on experience covering the industry, Malcolm has built a reputation for delivering honest reviews, sharp insights, and in-depth coverage of everything from new car debuts to high-performance test drives. Passionate about the evolving car culture and staying ahead of the curve, Malcolm continues to lead Automotive Addicts as a go-to destination for enthusiasts and industry insiders alike.
