Subaru Uncharted review: more than just a rebadged Toyota?
The Subaru Uncharted compact electric crossover is the brand’s second electric car, but it actually moves the Japanese marque into unknown territory.
Subaru is a brand built on four-wheel drive performance cars, off-roaders and estates, and this battery-electric SUV marks a radical step change for the car maker.
The Uncharted is available with all-wheel drive, but will this be enough to resonate with six-star loyalists and mainstream buyers?
We’ve driven it, so read on to find out…
Arriving as Subaru's second electric car after the Solterra, the Uncharted is heavily related to the Toyota C-HR+. That includes its batteries, motors and most other aspects beneath the metal. Subaru maintains that the Uncharted, a small electric crossover, is a distinct vehicle and very different to its Toyota alternative, despite its shared underpinnings.
The Uncharted is proportionally similar to the C-HR+, but rides 211mm higher. Subaru says this helps with off-road driving, but the car also gets its own bespoke suspension and steering tune for a “more sporting feel”.
The Uncharted is based on the e-Subaru Global Platform (it's the same as the e-TNGA platform used by Toyota), which can house either a 57.7kWh or 77kWh battery.
The entry-level model features the smaller battery paired with a 165bhp motor, offering a 454km (282-mile) range. The Long Range variant boasts a 77kWh battery and a 221bhp motor, extending its range to 599km (372 miles).
A notable shift for Subaru, both models feature front-wheel drive. This, combined with the prevalent single-motor powertrain across most of their range, suggests a clear strategy to appeal to a broader, mainstream audience.
The top-spec models are anticipated to achieve a range of up to 326 miles with their 338bhp all-wheel-drive powertrain; however, Subaru has not yet fully homologated these range figures.
The Uncharted boasts a rugged, off-road-inspired aesthetic that distinguishes it from competitors such as the Jeep Avenger 4xe and Skoda Elroq VRS. This is achieved through its elevated ride height, robust black cladding, and practical roof rails.
The Uncharted features black upholstery and trim, contrasting with the grey interior of most Toyota models. During a brief inspection, the interior felt both well-built and generally comfortable.
Softer materials cover all the right bits of the doors and dash, and there's a rugged vibe to the interior that taps into the Uncharted's go-anywhere character.
We didn't get to play around with the digital on-board tech much, but as standard, you get a 7.0-inch driver display and a large 14-inch touch-operated infotainment screen.
From our brief drive of the Uncharted, both appeared crisp and clear. Pleasingly, you get plenty of physical switches and buttons, something that many modern compact crossovers forsake in favour of more digital add-ons.
With 338bhp and 323lb ft of torque, the Uncharted produces brisk acceleration, but it’s not as aggressive as rivals, including the Tesla Model Y.
The four-wheel-drive system provides ample traction, allowing it to go from 0-62mph in under 5.0 seconds, which is slightly slower than a Volkswagen Golf R hot hatchback.
The brake pedal feels a little soft, but the adjustable regen slows the car nicely when you lift off the throttle. It has three different levels, too, which means you can tighten or slacken off the regen.
On the road, the 338bhp dual-motor AWD Uncharted felt competent and controlled in the corners, producing plenty of performance on steeper hills.
A brief drive in a more affordable, single-motor, front-wheel-drive model revealed it to be largely comparable, albeit exhibiting reduced agility in the slalom and diminished traction when exiting corners.
From our brief experience, the Uncharted has so far proven to be competent off-road, while also delivering a level of electrified performance we haven't yet seen from this enduring brand.
The question is, will the new Uncharted not only capture the attention of the Subaru faithful, but also those who shop in the mainstream?
We’ll need more time to find out, but we’re keen to see how much success the Uncharted brings in the near future.
