​​Cars.com Previews the “Weird” Subaru Uncharted and Likes It​ 

The title of the Cars.com review is “The 2026 Subaru Uncharted Is the Weirdest Subaru, and That’s a Good Thing”. Well, how can you not want to read what they mean by that?  We at Ewing Subaru of Plano did, and this post explains what they meant.   

Objectively, the Uncharted is the smallest of the three EV models Subaru currently offers. The Subaru formula is well understood, but this vehicle deviates from it in notable ways. You could call it an EV alternative to the Crosstrek, and you’d be partly right and partly wrong. In terms of general dimensions, that’s a fair description. It’s a couple of inches longer and a bit wider, with a 3-inch-longer wheelbase than the Crosstrek, but it’s about the same height and offers roughly the same EPA interior volume. Cargo capacity is significantly larger (25.4 cubic feet versus 19.9), but that isn’t the main difference. 

The big difference is that this is the first time in exactly 30 years that Subaru has offered a front-wheel-drive model in the U.S. (Subaru went all-AWD in 1996). AWD is available, of course, but aside from the BRZ sports car, this model kind of blows Subaru’s all-AWD theme out of the water. 

The reason is plain to see.  In addition to bringing the starting MSRP down to $34,995, the single motor FWD Uncharted is estimated to have a range of just over 300 miles. This represents a psychological floor for many EV skeptics, while many, particularly in the Southwest, have seen little need to pay more for the winter weather advantages of AWD. The single motor driving the front wheels is estimated to produce 221 horsepower and draws power from the same 74.7-kWh lithium-ion battery found in the Solterra and Trailseeker.  Like those models, it features a North American Charging Standard (NACS) charging port that supports the Tesla Supercharger network, delivering a 150 kW charge rate and a 10-80% recharge in about 28 minutes. 

Cars.com, however, sampled an AWD model with motors in both the front and rear, delivering 338 horsepower and a range of about 285 miles, which may be under 300, but still isn’t bad. The second motor does increase the MSRP to $39,765, so you can see why Subaru wanted a slightly more affordable model.   

The other way Cars.com considers the Uncharted a weird Subaru is that it doesn’t really give off outdoor-lifestyle vibes.  With AWD, it has 8.2 inches of ground clearance, which is about a half-inch low for the Subaru SUV norm, but still higher than many other small SUVs.  The AWD system comes with Subaru’s X-Mode system, and Cars.com assures that “It’s still more capable off-road than the majority of buyers will need.”   

Yet with its sleek fast-back roof, muscular rear quarters, and 18-inch wheels, it looks like a sporty, subcompact street prowler and behaves like one, too. 338 horsepower is considerable for a vehicle this size, and with power sent to all four wheels, it can go from zero to 60 mph in under 5 seconds. Inside, the model shows its co-development with Toyota by its over-the-rim driver display, which functions as both a head-up display and Toyota’s operating system on the large 14-inch center screen. This screen includes wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, while the center console features dual wireless phone charging pads.   

Whether this was their intention or not, Subaru offers the ideal EV commuter in the Uncharted. A vehicle you charge at home and leave every day on your well-charted route to work in quiet, smooth operation, while remaining quick and small enough to take advantage of gaps in traffic and bring a smile to your overworked face. It’s also large enough to handle a bit of shopping on the way home. In such conditions, range is largely irrelevant, but it will have plenty to spare. 

Cars.com’s author summed it up like this: “I generally dig this spunky little(ish) electric vehicle. I like that in the absence of identity, Subaru levied a bit of character onto it via the delish Habanero Orange Metallic paint and neat rally-inspired wheels that are available.” 

The Uncharted is expected to arrive in Ewing Subaru of Plano’s vast inventory by the time you read this. Ask one of our sales professionals to notify you when the first models arrive.  It may be a different kind of Subaru, but it may well be one that really works for you.