Subaru Uncharted AWD 2026 review

When it comes to new vehicle genres, Subaru has had a few, very successful cracks: the Brumby ute, the Outback lifted wagon, Impreza XV (now the Crosstrek), and of course the WRX, which made genuine performance and speed accessible to the masses. 

Now, with electric motivation, it’s trying again with the Uncharted — no doubting the strength of the name. This is an AWD, all-road capable lifted coupe SUV with more grunt than a WRX STI (252kW), 522km driving range, plus space for four passengers and luggage. 

While you might have expected the $59,990 (before on-road costs) Uncharted to be an electric Crosstrek, Subaru’s Australian pricing structure means it’s a niche, sporty alternative to the Solterra (from $61,990) and Trailseeker wagon (from $63,990)

It’s based on the same e-SGP platform as the others, which is known as e-TNGA under the technically related Toyota bZ4X. The Uncharted is twinned with the incoming Toyota C-HR+. There’s only one trim level known as the AWD, with options including a panoramic glass roof and two-tone paint. 

Out of the Subaru vacuum, the Uncharted enters a busy electric landscape, with similarly priced established rivals including the Volvo EX30 Cross Country and Kia EV3 GT-Line AWD. 

For those looking at younger carmakers, you’ll find size-class larger models for a similar price, such as the Tesla Model Y, Zeekr 7X, BYD Sealion 7 and more — the Uncharted has its work cut out to capture attention. 

Good thing it stands out on the road. With a 100mm shorter wheelbase than a Solterra, plus broader and lower body, the option of eye-catching Flare orange paint and those tough 20-inch alloy wheels, the Uncharted looks the business. 

Thus far, we’ve not really been all that impressed by the driving dynamics of any of the e-SGP/e-TNGA based cars, so the question is: has Subaru managed to make something of the Uncharted?

How does the Uncharted AWD drive?

Subaru pitches the Uncharted as its sportiest electric vehicle, and this is reflected in a noticeably firmer suspension tune than those found in the Solterra or Trailseeker. 

The Uncharted is solid and planted on the road with a ride quality that’s on the firm side of acceptable. It can be jiggly yet it is never harsh and the body control with non-adaptive dampers is pleasantly strict as a result. 

With a long-travel accelerator and well-calibrated adaptive cruise control the Uncharted is relaxed and easy to drive on the motorway, if a little noisy on coarse-chip bitumen. 

The brake pedal has a long throw for easy modulation and there are five levels for regenerative braking power, easily adjusted using the wheel-mounted ‘shift’ paddles. Unlike a Tesla or Kia, there’s no true on-pedal drive setting for the Uncharted. 

There’s some lag built into the pedals, as the Uncharted smoothes inputs from regen braking to acceleration. While this might make the car easier for electric first-timers, it becomes a slow, annoying response for BEV regulars.

Forward visibility is excellent, though seeing out the rear three-quarter is almost impossible thanks to the climbing window line and chunky C-pillar. Clear 360-degree cameras help here, and the Uncharted beeps constantly to remind you it’s in reverse… 

On the topic of parking, the Uncharted’s squared-off wheel is awkward to turn, while the weighting is too heavy for low-speed maneuvering. This does not translate into feel or crisp responses at speed, instead the Uncharted’s steering is wooly and imprecise.

The Uncharted is brisk, at least. Subaru says it’ll reach 100km/h from a standstill in around five seconds, which feels believable by the seat of the pants — though it never feels rapid like a WRX or GR Corolla, a symptom of the Uncharted’s 2025kg weight. 

Peak power is 252kW, and Subaru does not quote a combined torque figure but here we come onto another issue with the Uncharted — its front-bias all-wheel-drive system.

The Uncharted’s forward e-motor produces 167kW and 268Nm while the rear only makes 88kW and 169Nm. In practice, this makes the Uncharted feel decidedly un-Subaru when you ask it to press on.

Instead of a four-wheel slingshot punch, the Uncharted spins its front wheels under full acceleration, clumsily flashing the traction control light as it figures things out. It’s especially bad in the wet or on loose surfaces.

This un-characteristic experience continues in corners. Where a WRX’s (and even a Forester’s) rear axle is under-damped to promote pointy turn-in, the Uncharted is over-damped and too soft in spring, so weight pitches onto the outside front tyre and the Uncharted leans into resolute understeer. 

Try to power out of corners and it’s more push as the front wheels struggle to gain traction. There’s little sense of occasion, either, with Subaru choosing not to engineer any faux engine noise or enhance the natural sound of the electric motors. 

It’s a real shame Subaru couldn’t overcome the limitations of the e-TNGA platform with the Uncharted — there aren’t ever any real drive modes to speak of, just Eco, Normal and Power, which don’t influence chassis smarts in the slightest. 

On unsealed surfaces and dirt roads the Uncharted plays the same understeer game. Safe, predictable, and rarely fun. 

For slow-speed off-roading, the Uncharted features Subaru’s X-Mode with Dirt/Snow or Deep Mud/Deep Snow settings, plus an off-road cruise control called Grip Control. Ground clearance is 211mm and the Uncharted has hill descent control as well. 

The limiting factors to the Uncharted’s off-road ability will be the Bridgestone Alenza road tyres. 

The Subaru Uncharted was awarded a 2025 five-star safety rating by ANCAP based on physical crash testing of the related Toyota C-HR+ and bZ4X. 

Notable assistance features include a driver monitoring camera, autonomous emergency braking (AEB), front and rear cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control and lane-trace assist.

How is the Uncharted AWD’s interior?

Those who have spent any time in the Solterra or bZ4X will instantly recognise the Uncharted’s largely carryover front cabin. 

There’s a 14.0-inch touchscreen in the centre that is middle-of-the-pack for responsiveness and supports wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto. You’ll want to mirror a phone as the Subaru/Toyota system is clunky, low saturation and rather unintuitive. 

What is simple is the Uncharted’s screen-based HVAC controls, which are among the simplest on sale. There’s also a shortcut menu to disable any unwanted driver-assist features including lane-keep assist. 

Currently the Subaru does not have a companion application in Australia. That means relying on the key fob rather than smartphone for lock/unlock, start, and using the Uncharted’s in-car screen to monitor charging and set battery limits. 

Many drive settings fall easily to hand around the squircle gear selector, though some functions such as trip reset, auto high-beam and headlight wash sit to the right of the steering wheel. 

The Subaru EV driving position remains an acquired taste. The steering wheel has to sit low in your lap for the 7.0-inch digital driver’s display to be in sight. 

The Uncharted’s seats aren’t as comfortable as typical Subaru items, lacking back and lateral support. The black vinyl upholstery is clammy and the Uncharted only has seat heating, not ventilation as is available on Solterra and Trailseeker. 

The height of the centre and door armrests are oddly mismatched in the Uncharted, encouraging a curved spine on long drives. 

On test, we noticed multiple trim rattles in the Uncharted’s cabin, emanating from around the glass roof, A-pillar and rear seat. Material quality is a mix of some squishy, but largely generic vinyl — it’s missing anything that feels distinctly Subaru. 

Practicalities include twin wireless charging pads, a hugely deep centre bin (as there’s no glovebox), two cup holders in the middle, and generous door bins that will carry up to four 1.25L water bottles in the front cabin section. 

The 10-speaker Harman Kardon sound system isn’t bad either, and the Uncharted picks up AM, FM and DAB radio. 

At the cost of style is some comfort. The shorter, sleeker Uncharted gives up rather a lot of back seat space to the Solterra, with 180cm adults likely to be quite cramped in head, leg and toe-room measures — especially with versions fitting the optional glass roof. 

Amenities include two air vents, two USB-C charge points, seat heating and pull-down armrest for second row passengers. 

The Uncharted does not have a frunk, though its 403-litre boot — under a power tailgate — is reasonably sized. Shame the floor slopes down from the back seats and there’s no spare tyre of any sort in here, the double wishbone rear suspension necessitating some serious packaging compromise for a Subaru.

There’s no way to easily fold the second row of seats without removing the long parcel shelf or going through the back door. 

Being an electric vehicle, the Uncharted does offer the classy touch of vehicle-to-load ability, with a 220-volt/1500-watt three-pin socket located in the boot.

What are the Uncharted AWD’s ownership costs?

The Subaru Uncharted AWD’s WLTP driving range rating is 522km, a decent figure from the 74.7kWh NMC battery. 

On the highway and in the country, the tested 18.3kWh/100km consumption figure would see a 408km driving range, and urban efficiency suggested more like 460km from a fill. 

Charging is strong when talking AC, with up to 22kW meaning flat to full in as little as four hours on a suitable three-phase socket — a seven-kilowatt home charger will take a bit over 10 hours.

Where the Uncharted struggles is at public DC pylons, with a peak speed of 150kW and claimed 30 minute 10-80 percent interval. This is rapidly becoming out-paced by newer, 800-volt rivals that can charge in less than 20 minutes. 

Servicing is due every 12 months or 15,000km, whichever comes first, and the capped price plan is reasonable at $984.18 for the first five years.

The Subaru Uncharted is covered by a five-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty in Australia, while the battery and high-voltage components are guaranteed for eight years/160,000km.

The honest verdict

Subaru is a genre defining company and it’s always exciting to see a much-loved brand trying something new. 

There’s nothing hugely wrong with the Uncharted as an A-to-B everyday EV. That it doesn’t support connected features may or may not be a deal-breaker for you.

But here’s the thing, with such a closely packed electric line-up and a need for cut-through, Subaru had to go further with the Uncharted to make it a genuine event. 

As it sits, the Uncharted is an attractive looking, innovative concept hobbled by an average platform with last-gen EV stats, poorly packaged cabin and little potential for driving joy. 

Here’s hoping Subaru keeps the Uncharted name alive with a mid-life update or hotted-up version to do justice to the nameplate.