2026 Subaru Uncharted Review: First Drive

Laguna Beach, CA - Can lightning strike twice? That’s what Subaru is hoping for with the brand’s new all-electric Uncharted SUV.

To look to the future, let’s take a moment to remember the past. Over a decade ago, the small, near-subcompact SUV field was underrepresented and undefined. Entries included the likes of the wild Nissan Juke, diminutive Chevrolet Trax, and boxy Mitsubishi Outlander Sport. Around this time, Subaru introduced the XV Crosstrek, and it was an immediate success.

Although some wrote the Crosstrek off as nothing more than a raised Impreza with body cladding, it provided the right size, capability, and price that consumers were looking for. Since then, every major automotive manufacturer in North America has released a Crosstrek-like competitor. 

Fast forward to today and Subaru is looking to repeat history, this time with the help of Toyota. The new, co-developed Uncharted EV SUV could be shrugged off as a scaled-down version of the existing Solterra SUV. Or maybe the Uncharted is on the cusp of redefining a segment.

The Uncharted is an all-new nameplate and as mentioned, it’s based on a shortened version of the electric vehicle platform that houses the Solterra and the upcoming large-sized Trailseeker. It’s also a very close mechanical sibling to the codeveloped Toyota C-HR.

Positioned as the brand’s entry level all-electric vehicle, the goal behind the Uncharted is to design a fun-to-drive small SUV. The key demographic will be city/urban folk who like to get out of the city on the weekend.

In the United States, the 2026 Subaru Uncharted will be available in three trims, Premium FWD, Sport AWD, and GT AWD. In Canada, there will be four trims available, called FWD, FWD LR, Sport AWD, and GT AWD.

Exterior Style

With official dimensions of 177.8-inches (4,515 mm) in length, a width of 73.6-inches (1,870 mm), and a height of 63.8-inches (1,620 mm), the Uncharted is slightly larger than Crosstrek on the outside. It features the SUV-coupe stying that's so popular right now.

Upfront, there’s Subaru-signature lighting consisting of six running lights stacked in two rows on either side. The passenger side of the vehicle has a NACS charging port, and depending on trim, 18- or 20-inch wheels. The 20-inch wheels are quite nice and modern, but the entry-level 18-inch are the same tired fan blade look that’s getting seriously out of date. On the roof are a set of rails capable of holding up to 176 pounds (80 kg) of gear.

Out back, there’s a standard rear ducktail spoiler with a thin strip of taillights below. The Subaru logo on the rear hatch is replaced by blocky SUBARU lettering, something showing up on more and more of the brand’s SUVs.

Powertrain and Range:

The Uncharted will be available in the United States with two powertrain set-ups, both of which outgun much of the competition. The entry level system is a single motor driving the front wheels that generates 221 hp. The upgraded all-wheel drive models have two motors that produce a combine 338 hp. That’s a serious amount of power in a vehicle this size and Subaru states it can run from 0 to 60 mph in less than 5 seconds. Expect front wheel drive models to hit 60 mph from a standstill in just over 7 seconds.

On the road, the AWD Uncharted feels every bit as powerful as the numbers suggest. Stab the accelerator at low speeds and the Uncharted lurches forward, as the more powerful front motor has those tires scrambling for traction. The amount of effortless thrust up to freeway speeds is something not matched in this class or price point. Sadly, we didn’t get a chance to test a front-wheel drive model, but we hope to in the near future.

The power source regardless of drivetrain is a 74.7 kWh battery pack that can be recharged at speeds up to 150 kW. At max charging speed, Subaru expects the vehicle to recharge from 10 to 80 % in around 28 minutes. Those that will regularly use a stage 2 home charger, the Uncharted comes with an 11 kW onboard charger. Official range for the front-wheel drive models is just over 300 miles (496 km), while all-wheel drive versions can go over 285 miles (438 km) on a single charge.

An interesting side note for our Canadian readers is that there will be a third drivetrain offered up north. It will be a single-motor, front-wheel drive layout making 165 hp, powered by a smaller 57.7 kWh battery pack. Range is expected to be 399 km (248 mi) with a o to 100 km/h time around 8.4 seconds. The reason for this entry level model is the province of Quebec, where despite a snowy climate, a quarter of all vehicles sold in that region are front-wheel drive only.

Handling and Drivability:

For an electric vehicle, the 2026 Subaru Uncharted doesn’t weigh that much. Front-wheel drive models come in around 4,150 pounds (1,895 kg), while all-wheel drive version weigh between 4,400-4,500 pounds (2030 kg). The suspension set-up consists of MacPherson-type struts up front and double wishbones at the rear. The brake rotors measure 12.9-inches at the front and 12.5-inches in the rear.

Even with a largish 14.2:1 steering ratio, the vehicle is quite responsive. The actual steering sensation takes a bit of acclamation as there’s basically zero steering feel, yet the Uncharted instantly responds to inputs. It's incredible precise, with firm, tight steering. It’s akin to using a high-quality sim-racing wheel with the force feedback turned off.

Regardless of which trim or wheels are selected, all versions of Subaru’s small electric SUV ride on 235 mm wide tires. The Uncharted likes to be hustled through corners and its surprisingly composed, dare we even say fun. Flailed through the twisting, hilly roads south of Laguna Beach, the vehicle never felt upset.

Since it does wear Subaru badging, there needs to be some off-road prowess attached to the Uncharted. It offers 8.2-inches (208 mm) of ground clearance, and all-wheel drive models include standard X-MODE with Snow / Dirt as well as Deep Snow / Mud modes. Grip Control, Downhill Assist Control, and Hill-Start Assist are also included. Not to be left out, the front-wheel drive models may not have X-Mode, but they do have Snow Mode to help in slippery conditions. We were able briefly test out the Uncharted’s chops in the dirt and like many Subaru SUVs, this may not be a mountain goat, but it will easily embarrass many of its core rivals off-road.

Despite the 2026 Subaru Uncharted’s ability to remain relatively flat in hard cornering, the ride quality doesn’t suffer. Although we did get to drive it on some rather smooth roads, the SUV is vibration-free in most scenarios.

Even though the Uncharted is larger on the outside, inside there is less space compared to the Crosstrek. Up front, the driver and passenger enjoy 38.6-inches (981 mm) of headroom and 42.1-inches (1,070 mm) of legroom. In the back seat, things are much tighter, with just 36.4-inches (924 mm) of headroom and a scant 32.1-inches (817 mm) of legroom. As the numbers suggest, things are tight back there, but in our real world test, we had two full size adult men fit back there in decent enough comfort.

Inside, the 2026 Subaru Uncharted looks quite similar to the Solterra and Toyota C-HR which shouldn’t come as much of a surprise. There are the usual Subaru orange accents, with the digital driver information center pod pushed up against the windshield. The larger center screen is easy enough to use, even if doesn't have as many hard buttons as we’d like.

The overall quality of the bits and pieces used are of the higher-end, and there’s some premium touches included like the soft-touch rear-door sills. Overall, the Uncharted feels as good as anything in the segment, if not better.

Tech and Safety:

Standard on the 2026 Subaru Uncharted includes features like the 14-inch infotainent screen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, dual wireless phone charging, dual-zone climate control, that 7-inch digital driver information screen, a power tailgate, rain sensing wipers, and ambient lighting. Available on higher trims are items like a Harmon Kardon 11-speaker sound system and memory seat driver seat. The entry-level, small motor front-wheel drive version that's only available in Canada lacks some of this standard equipment.

On a safety front, there is standard EyeSight technology with technology that includes emergency steering assist, intersection collision avoidance, pre-collision braking, pedestrian, vehicle, and cyclist avoidance assistance, lane departure prevention, dynamic radar cruise control with lane tracing assist, low-speed hands-free driving (25 mph or slower) on supported roads, front cross traffic alert, blind-spot monitor, rear camera detection with pedestrian warning, panoramic view monitor, and a multi-terrain monitor.

Value Dollars and Sense:

The 2026 Subaru Uncharted starts at a price of $36,445 (all prices include destination charges) for the Premium FWD in the United States, which puts it on par with the smaller, less powerful Chevrolet Bolt RS. The Uncharted Sport will begin at $41,245, while the fully loaded Uncharted GT starts at $45,245, which is about the same as the far less powerful, front-wheel drive only Kia Niro EV.

In Canada, the entry level FWD will begin at $45,785, with the more powerful, longer range FWD LR coming in at $49,785. Moving up to all-wheel drive models, the Sport starts at $52,785, while the GT clocks in at $54,785.

Final Thoughts:

With a higher price point and less folks ready to jump to full electrification, we don’t anticipate the 2026 Subaru Uncharted will garner the same success the original Crosstrek did in terms of quantity and scale. That stated, amongst its peers, the small SUV has a lot to offer. The Uncharted is powerful, performs well on an off the pavement, has a quality interior, and an adequate amount of space. Maybe that’s enough to help Subaru redefine another segment.

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