2026 Subaru Uncharted review

There's some serious déjà vu going on, because it feels like it was only yesterday when we last reviewed a new Subaru electric vehicle (EV).

Yet, here we are again, doing exactly that with a new nameplate from the Japanese manufacturer. Yes, it looks a lot like the brand's previous two EVs, which we reviewed in the past six months, but there's a good reason for that, and it shouldn't be too surprising by now.

The new EV in question is, of course, the Subaru Uncharted, now the third Subaru EV on sale in Australian showrooms. It has an awful lot in common with the brand's existing EVs, the Solterra and Trailseeker, and also with the Toyota bZ4X, bZ4X Touring, and its direct twin, the C-HR+.

Subaru's partnership with Toyota means there's a lot of vehicle sharing between the two, most notably the BRZ and GR86 twins. So far, though, Subaru Australia appears to be moving slightly quicker than Toyota in the EV space.

The Uncharted has arrived well before the C-HR+, though Toyota has confirmed its small electric SUV will be sold here. That may be because Toyota wants to avoid positioning it too closely to the new C-HR hybrid, though the company hasn’t publicly confirmed this – but Subaru has no such limitation.

In fact, Subaru Australia has gone as far as embracing possible similarities between the Uncharted and its own petrol-powered small SUV, the Crosstrek. It suggests it has the character of a sportier, turbocharged Crosstrek, which seems like a bit of a tease if you're a Subaru fan – read on to see if it's true.

For now, Subaru appears to be making gains in the EV market. After the first six months of 2026, Solterra sales are up 289.3 per cent year-on-year with 471 deliveries, while the Trailseeker posted 256 registrations in its first two months on sale. Even the Uncharted recorded 83 deliveries in June.

However, it has a lot of ground to make up if it's to catch the segment-leading Kia EV3, which posted 821 sales in the same month. Still, Subaru's EVs appear to be getting more competitive by the minute, so this model will be worth watching as the year progresses.

To sample the Uncharted, Subaru Australia offered media outlets week-long loans, allowing us to drive it on familiar roads free from the confines of a traditional press launch. Does it deserve a spot in Subaru showrooms?

How much does the Subaru Uncharted cost?

The Uncharted is the cheapest EV in Subaru Australia showrooms right now, priced at $59,990 before on-road costs.

That's only $2000 less than the base-spec Solterra ($61,990 plus on-roads), and $4000 less than the base-spec Trailseeker ($63,990 plus ORCs). The gap jumps to $8000 and $10,000 respectively for the more comparable top-spec 'Touring' versions of each.

The Uncharted's most direct rivals include the forthcoming Kia EV3 GT-Line AWD at $66,490 plus ORCs, the Volvo EX30 Cross Country at $62,990 plus ORCs, and the Hyundai Kona Electric Premium N Line at $63,000 plus ORCs.

Other potential rivals include the Toyota C-HR GR Sport ($58,890 plus ORCs) given it's a similar size and a similarly 'sporty' offering. The C-HR+ would also be a direct rival, but it isn't due to arrive in Australia until mid-2027 and local pricing is yet to be announced.

To see how the Subaru Uncharted stacks up against the competition, check out our comparison tool

What is the Subaru Uncharted like on the inside?

If you've sat in the Solterra or the Trailseeker, you've sat in the Uncharted.

To say the cabin is identical to the rest of Subaru's EV catalogue is no exaggeration. This isn't particularly surprising, given the streamlined development and simplified production approach for the Japanese brand’s EVs, and at least it means many buyers will know what they're in for.

The only real observable tweaks are cosmetic, with the Uncharted getting a bronze strip across the dash and missing out on the black-and-blue upholstery option of its siblings. That said, there are worse interiors to recycle.

As ever, Subaru's (and therefore Toyota's) EV interior design language is generally functional and mildly more visually interesting than much of the competition with its unorthodox 'floating' dashboard and odd instrument cluster placement.

It'll still take a moment to get comfortable with looking over the steering wheel to see the raised instrument cluster, but Subaru's squared-off steering wheel is a worthwhile change that improves visibility compared to Toyota's circular tiller. As with the Solterra and Trailseeker, I like Subaru's approach.

An ergonomic difference I noticed – and it could be entirely imaginary – is that it felt more difficult to find a comfortable seating position in this Subaru EV. Aligning the wheel with the cluster wasn't the issue; it was positioning the seat itself.

While I was eventually able to get situated, the driver's seat still feels very high, even in its lowest setting. I felt more at home in the Uncharted after spending a few days behind the wheel, which was no doubt aided by the seat's generous cushioning.

There's a good range of powered movement, including handy seat-base angle and lumbar adjustment. The standard inclusion of seat heating is also worthwhile. Unfortunately, there's no seat ventilation.

The squircle tiller, meanwhile, offers heating and a smooth leather finish. It's also a carry-over unit, but its compact proportions fit the 'sportier' character of the Uncharted reasonably well.

It features an almost overwhelming array of buttons, a trait typical of Toyota. We can appreciate that every button is physical and not touch-sensitive, and everything is labelled clearly enough to work out on the fly.

But much of that physicality is lost once you move over to the 14.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system. This is the real heart of the Uncharted, and many functions – including most of the climate controls – are located within it.

There are still two physical dials for dual-zone temperature that could do with being a tad notchier, but everything looks quite classy in general. Wireless smartphone mirroring also standard, and we had no issues with connectivity in our week with the car.

Comparatively simple is the 7.0-inch instrument display. This is very basic in its presentation and gives you just a few menus to flick through, which means you won't be overwhelmed. In typical Toyota fashion, this is function over form, for the better.

Everything else is relatively straightforward. On the centre console are a smattering of driving-related buttons, alongside the large, twist-action gear selector that'll take a moment for newcomers to figure out.

Ahead of it are two wireless phone chargers, and most of the console is finished in a dull plastic that should wear well over time. The sunken cupholders between the console and central armrest create the impression of a floating centre console, presumably to keep tall bottles out of the way.

As for storage, the central storage box is nicely sized, and there's a tray underneath the centre console where you'll find two USB-C ports and a 12V outlet. The bottle holders in the doors are also generous.

Like every other Toyota/Subaru EV, there's no passenger-side glovebox.

The second row is where the Toyota-ness of this EV really shines through, or at least where the ‘C-HR’ part of Toyota’s ‘C-HR+’ name comes from. Like the C-HR, it's a little cramped back here, with the sloping roofline and black headliner making it feel more enclosed than the Solterra.

The way the windowline swoops up towards the C-pillars is very previous-gen C-HR, as are the vertically mounted exterior door handles. Mind you, it actually feels more spacious than that inside, and at 173cm I could comfortably sit behind my own driving position.

The bench seat is soft and nicely sculpted, and there are just a couple of amenities like a soft fold-down armrest with cupholders and rear-facing air vents. Outboard seat heating is also very welcome.

Compared to the current C-HR and Crosstrek, the Uncharted's 403-litre boot is noticeably larger. There's some extra storage space available under the load floor, but there's disappointingly no spare wheel, nor any extra storage space under the bonnet.

To see how the Subaru Uncharted stacks up against the competition, check out our comparison tool

What's under the bonnet?

Powering the Uncharted is a dual-motor electric drivetrain, with peak power and torque quoted at 252kW and 438Nm respectively. All-wheel drive is standard, and energy comes from a 74.7kWh lithium-ion battery pack sourced from Chinese manufacturer CATL.

Those with a keen eye will notice the performance figures are the same as the Solterra's; and the weight difference between the two electric SUVs is also negligible. Subaru Australia claims the Uncharted's 0-100km/h time is five seconds.

Our week with the car involved a mix of highway commuting, country roads, spirited driving, and urban errand-running. The result was an energy consumption figure (see above) that's high compared to some rivals, but close enough to Subaru's claim.

To see how the Subaru Uncharted stacks up against the competition, check out our comparison tool

How does the Subaru Uncharted drive?

The Uncharted is interesting, because after driving the Solterra and Trailseeker, I struggled to imagine how different it would actually be. After all, they're all very similar cars underneath.

And it'd be wrong to say it delivers a vastly different experience, because there are quite a few parallels. For one, the Uncharted's 252kW peak power output is identical to the Solterra's, and you'd struggle to discern anything different about the power delivery between the two.

The Uncharted is commendably responsive on-throttle, and it certainly gets moving in a hurry. The fact it's all-wheel drive also means it has no issue getting its power to the ground while it pins you to the seat.

There are just three on-road drive modes, which do what they say on the tin. Eco preserves charge, while Power sharpens things up, so we have no real complaints here.

The brake pedal also feels good even though it combines regenerative and friction braking. You can flick through four different levels of regen braking strength using the steering wheel paddle 'shifters', and we always appreciate being able to do this on the fly.

Those wanting one-pedal driving will have to look elsewhere, though, as no Subaru EV has a true one-pedal drive mode.

The steering errs on the heavier side in terms of feel. This is likely a result of both a sportier electric power steering tune and the small-diameter steering wheel, but it does make the Uncharted feel quite substantial.

It's also easy to place on the road, and there's just enough road feel for the driver to understand what the front tyres are doing. There's certainly nothing flimsy feeling about the Uncharted, and it's actually an enjoyable vehicle to roll around in.

But with all that said, it really sets itself apart with its suspension tune. It feels far sharper than its EV siblings straight out of the box, and it's impressive how willing it is to carry speed through turns.

There's no denying the suspension is firm, but it's intentionally so and not crashy for the sake of being 'sporty'. Yes, you'll notice some shocks coming through the cabin more than you will in many other EVs, but it appears to be a well-executed tune.

The overarching theme here is stability. The body control of this electric SUV is genuinely very good, and we were consistently impressed with how quickly it settled after speed bumps or more sudden hits. There's no 'second bounce', which is refreshing for an EV such as this.

When it's time to turn up the wick, the Uncharted is more than happy to play along. It sticks well when thrown into a turn, and body roll is well-managed.

The car's traction control system is also very clever, allowing just the tiniest bit of slip from all four tyres to help it pivot. It's never uncontrollable, and even shrugs off mid-corner bumps without so much as a second thought.

In fact, the only thing we don't love is that its traction-control calibration isn't more permissive or, more accurately, that it doesn't let you have a bit of fun in a sportier drive mode.

It's this small factor that holds it back from being a truly playful or 'sporty' model, especially one from the brand that makes the WRX. We presume this is a product of the vehicle's donor brand/model, rather than Subaru's own deliberate doing.

Still, it's possible to have some fun in the Uncharted. It strikes a nice balance between feeling sharp in the twisties and staying liveable in the day-to-day, thanks to a well-tuned passive damping setup and sensible power outputs.

There are also Subaru's two 'X-Mode' off-road drive settings, though we didn't get the chance to test the Uncharted's off-road capabilities beyond driving on smooth-ish gravel roads. It remained composed on those unsealed surfaces, with the traction-control system again keeping things annoyingly well planted.

As for the safety tech, it's generally reliable. Apart from the odd steering wheel tug from the lane-keep assist and the vaguely overreactive driver attention monitoring system, the Uncharted's driving experience is never really interrupted by poorly calibrated systems.

However, the adaptive cruise control and lane-centring functions could be better. The Uncharted will hold its speed and follow gentle bends with no issue, but it's hesitant to apply stronger steering force and maintain higher speeds on bendier rural highways.

This is the Uncharted's only real fault, and it's at least one we've experienced in several other Toyotas. Otherwise, refinement levels are quite good, and outward visibility is strong despite the relatively compact rear-end.

So all in all, the Uncharted is a good car to drive, but is it like a turbocharged Crosstrek? To us, it feels a tad heavier than we'd want a nimble, sporty Crosstrek to be, but it isn’t too far removed from that description.

To see how the Subaru Uncharted stacks up against the competition, check out our comparison tool

What do you get?

The 2026 Subaru Uncharted is only available in Australia in one highly equipped trim.

2026 Subaru Uncharted AWD equipment highlights:

• 20-inch alloy wheels
• Tyre repair kit
• Auto LED headlights
• Rain-sensing wipers
• Power-folding heated side mirrors
• Digital rear-view mirror
• Leather-wrapped steering wheel
• Heated steering wheel
• Steering wheel regeneration paddles
• Black synthetic leather upholstery
• 8-way power driver's seat with two-position memory and lumbar
• 8-way power front passenger seat
• Heated front seats
• Heated reclining rear outboard seats
• 7.0-inch digital instrument display
• 14.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system
• Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
• Satellite navigation
• DAB+ digital radio
• Bluetooth
• Voice commands
• 2 x front USB-C ports
• 2 x rear USB-C ports
• Dual wireless phone chargers
• 10-speaker Harman Kardon sound system
• Power tailgate
• Interior ambient lighting
• Rear privacy glass
• Dual-zone climate control
• 3 drive modes:
• • Eco
  • Normal
  • Power
• Dual-mode X-Mode
• Vehicle-to-load (V2L) capacity
• 1500W power outlet
• Keyless entry

Options

There are just a few options available for the Subaru Uncharted. A panoramic glass roof was fitted to our tester.

2026 Subaru Uncharted options:

• Panoramic glass roof: $1200
• Panoramic glass roof with two-tone paint: $2400

To see how the Subaru Uncharted stacks up against the competition, check out our comparison tool

Is the Subaru Uncharted safe?

The Subaru Uncharted has a five-star ANCAP safety rating, inherited from that of the closely related Toyota C-HR+, which itself was primarily based on Euro NCAP assessment of the Toyota bZ4X/Subaru Solterra, with additional tests to account for their different body styles.

Standard safety equipment highlights:

• 8 airbags, incl:
• • Dual front
  • Dual front side
  • Dual curtain
  • Driver's knee
  • Front centre
• Adaptive cruise control
• Blind-spot monitoring
• Driver attention monitoring
• Emergency Driving Stop System (EDSS)
• Front and rear parking sensors
• Front view monitor
• Lane-centring
• Lane departure alert
• Multi-terrain monitor
• Rear cross-traffic alert
• Safe exit assist
• Surround-view monitor
• Traffic sign recognition
• Tyre pressure monitoring

To see how the Subaru Uncharted stacks up against the competition, check out our comparison tool

How much does the Subaru Uncharted cost to run?

Subaru Australia backs its range with a five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty, and an eight-year, 160,000km warranty for its EV batteries. Servicing for the Uncharted is required every 12 months or 15,000km, whichever comes first.

Individual capped-price service costs are detailed below:

That total service price is cheaper than that of key rivals. Kia covers five years of EV3 maintenance with a $1308 prepaid service plan, while four years of servicing for the Hyundai Kona Electric (with 24-month intervals) costs $1492.

The outlier, however, is Volvo, which offers free servicing for the first five years of EX30 ownership.

To see how the Subaru Uncharted stacks up against the competition, check out our comparison tool

CarExpert's Take on the Subaru Uncharted

With the addition of the Uncharted, Subaru Australia's electric vehicle lineup becomes just a tad livelier – even if it isn't a full-blown leap into electrified performance for the Japanese brand.

What the Uncharted does is provide a more compact, more agile Subaru EV that still maintains many of the factors that make its other EVs solid options. It's still practical, includes plenty of flashy tech, and offers reasonably competitive EV capability.

Its improved handling and marginally smaller body make it more interesting to drive than the Solterra and Trailseeker. It may not be a true electric WRX or a turbocharged Crosstrek substitute, but there are hints of both here – but whether it'll work for you depends on a few things.

The Uncharted sacrifices some space and ride comfort compared with the Solterra, but counters this with sharper handling and stronger value. Some may still prefer the Solterra for its 'all-rounder' status.

If straight-line power is what you're after, the Trailseeker still has both beat, and it's arguably the most compelling Subaru EV given its size advantage. All have their strengths, and that's where Subaru's pricing strategy comes into play.

The incredibly small gaps between all three EVs gives buyers a generous choice, and the fact it's cheaper than other small electric SUVs while offering more power and plenty of equipment should be a strong selling point.

Given that Subaru has progressed quickly with its EV lineup, we wouldn't be surprised to see the Uncharted posting respectable sales numbers as it settles into the market over the coming months – even if it won't be the brand's volume-selling EV.

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