Growing up in Colorado, I was convinced my home state was the undisputed Subaru Country—a place defined by sunshine, mountains, craft beer, and a population that lives for weekend adventures. It wasn’t until I moved away that I realized how many regions claim that same title. That is the magic of the brand: they build vehicles designed to transition seamlessly from the daily grind to the trailhead.
As a Subie newbie whose experience was previously limited to the passenger seat of my husband’s manual WRX, I was thrilled to finally get behind the wheel for a first drive of the new all-slectric Subaru Uncharted and Trailseeker (more on that shortly!). As a right-leg amputee who drives with my left leg crossed over, the accessibility, instant torque, and responsiveness of an EV are game-changers for me.
The Subaru Uncharted’s drive day was my official entry into Subaru Country, and after putting these two through their paces, I think I’m ready to become a permanent resident.
This story is 100% human-researched and written based on actual first-person knowledge, extensive experience, and expertise on the subject of cars and trucks. Also, I was a guest of Subaru’s for this test drive, but all impressions and opinions are my own.
The Subaru Uncharted is a Small EV with Big Specs and a Spicy Personality
More details about the bZ Woodland-inspired Trailseeker are coming soon, but the Subaru Uncharted is the star of this show and it deserves all the limelight I’m about to give it. It’s Subaru’s smallest EV, but it’s positively packed with features.
The ground clearance is very Subaru-y at 8.2 inches, with a maximum range of 308 miles for the FWD (yes! front-wheel drive on a Subaru that isn’t a BRZ, while the Toyota C-HR is AWD-only), 287 miles for the AWD version, and a zero to sixty time of 4.7 seconds. Oh, and it starts at $35,000, making it the brand’s most affordable EV, too.
Similar in size to the super-popular Crosstrek, Subaru admitted they even call it the “Spicy Crosstrek,” and it inspired the exclusive Uncharted color Habanero Orange.
The Subaru Uncharted’s most important details:
- Ground Clearance: 8.2 inches
- Charging: North American Charging Standard (NACS), Tesla-style port
- Charging Speed: Up to 150kW (10–80% in 28 minutes)
- Premium Trim (FWD): Starting at $34,995 (+$1,450 destination fee), 308 miles range, 221 hp
- Key Features:
- 14-inch Subaru Multimedia touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
- Heated front seats, heated mirrors, and wiper de-icer (All-Weather Package).
- 10-way power-adjustable driver’s seat.
- Power rear gate.
- EyeSight Driver Assist Technologies.
- Key Features:
- Sport Trim (AWD): Starting at $39,795, 287 miles range, 338 hp
- Additional Features over Premium:
- Subaru Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive with X-MODE (Snow/Dirt, Deep Snow/Mud).
- 360-degree surround view monitor.
- Heated leather steering wheel.
- StarTex water-repellent upholstery.
- 8-way power-adjustable passenger seat.
- Additional Features over Premium:
- GT Trim (AWD): Starting at $43,795, 273 miles range, 338 hp
- Additional Features over Sport:
- Panoramic glass roof with motorized sunshade.
- Ventilated front seats.
- Harman Kardon premium audio system (11 speakers).
- Heated rear outboard seats.
- Digital rearview mirror with HomeLink.
- Available two-tone paint options.
- Additional Features over Sport:
The Interior is Quaint, but Functional—And There Are Buttons!
It was a soggy, grey day in Laguna Beach—not at all what you’d expect when you think of SoCal, but kind of poetic for the Subaru Uncharted. These cars aren’t meant to stay pristine; they’re meant to get muddy, messy, and well-loved in the process. The day kicked off with a parking lot full of freshly washed, shiny new Subaru EV’s getting rained on. I’m partial to a smaller SUV myself, so I beelined for the Uncharted through the drizzle and hopped right in.
The front cabin of the Subaru Uncharted is identical to that of the Trailseeker (and therefore the Toyota bZ and C-HR), and that’s a good thing since it’s well-appointed. Some of my favorite features were the 14-inch multimedia display trimmed with physical buttons. Physical controls for the dual-zone climate settings, a physical volume button, and physical vent controls. In a world where more and more controls are becoming dependent upon the screen, it’s a relief to have the ability to wiggle an air vent in one direction or another easily while driving.
I also love the dual 15w wireless phone chargers, but my favorite thing has to be the center console storage. I find this to be an issue of contention in some vehicles, like my Equinox EV, for example, which has a console storage that only opens sideways so that the driver can access it, but not the passenger. The console in the Uncharted (AND the Trailseeker) opens both ways, and I LOVE that. Both the driver and the front passenger can access things with equal ease.
More Legroom = Better Accessibility
Speaking of the console, it can present a unique challenge for me as a right-leg amputee. Since I drive with my left leg crossed over, a bulky center console can be uncomfortable or even impossible to work around. The Subaru Uncharted and Trailseeker have big center consoles, so I was initially concerned, but that quickly dissolved. I was able to slip behind the “squircle” wheel comfortably and drive without much impedance at all.
The Uncharted is a balanced pleasure to drive. I’m not sure if it’s the 8.2 inches of ground clearance or just the well-tuned suspension, but it feels extremely smooth and comfortable. I’m personally a two-pedal driver, preferring to use the accelerator and the brake. I found the pedals to be well-blended and responsive.
But, if you’d like, you can drive using just the accelerator in one pedal mode, utilizing the 5 levels of regenerative braking accessible by the paddles behind the steering wheel. If you’re used to one pedal already, you might find that the Uncharted’s (and Trailseeker’s) highest regen level to be a bit gentler than other EVs I’ve driven.
It’s Built to Handle the Rough Stuff
This is a Subaru, after all, so if you have high expectations for all-terrain capability, you won’t be disappointed. Kitted with their X-Mode System (on Sport and GT Trims), the Subaru Uncharted can handle snow, dirt, and mud, while simultaneously helping with grip control and downhill assist, and the FWD trim gets Snow Mode.
To show off these features, Subaru set up an off-road course at a motorsports track in Lake Elsinore, CA. These rugged proving grounds took you crawling and curving through a narrow, muddy, rocky, winding path with various individuals (spotters) encouraging and directing as wheels left the ground and vehicles tilted literally almost vertical. Tires spun, mud flung, and each Subie bounded off the course like a dog after playing in a puddle; filthy, dirt-encrusted, and filled with exhilaration.
…But Can the Uncharted Actually Handle it? Yes!
As someone who really enjoys having all four wheels of their car on stable ground, I was not at all comfortable with this predicament, but, fortunately, my co-driver (and husband), Patrick, was up for the challenge. We bounced and careened while my mouth hung open in disbelief. The Uncharted handled itself superbly!
As I drove off in the same vehicle that had just completed a mountainous obstacle course, I felt a massive sense of confidence in this car’s capabilities. Though I hadn’t attempted the course myself, I saw and experienced enough to assure me of its abilities. I may not live in Colorado anymore, but I would have LOVED a car like this on those snow days.
Then again, I’d honestly love a car like this on ANY day. In fact, I’d really love a car like this even here, where I live now in (sometimes) sunny San Diego. In fact, I’ve already strategized my perfect trim of the Uncharted, the FWD. For the lowest possible price of $35,000, you get the widest possible range at 308 miles and pretty much all the benefits except for some of the off-road modes. If you’re an on-road fan like me, then that’s just fine. If you do like getting down and dirty, then you can pick the Sport or GT.
Final Verdict: A Rugged, Affordable EV With Only a Few Compromises
The Subaru Uncharted is an awesome, rugged, affordable, small EV SUV with very few compromises. It has a good range, livable charging rated and capabilities, and over 8 inches of ground clearance. Plus, it’s capable of handling all sorts of rough terrain. Even though it’s a small SUV, there’s plenty of space for rear passengers and a good amount of trunk space, too.
If you have a big family, pets, or need to fit a full-size dog crate in the trunk, then you might want to look at the Trailseeker (more on that coming soon). But otherwise, the Uncharted might be perfect for you. It sure is for me!
