Subaru’s New Affordable Compact SUV Brings Big Value and a Brand First

The little sibling to the Solterra and Trailseeker promises significant savings and something different to most Subarus.

Rear view of an orange Subaru car with illuminated taillights and a black roof spoiler under a clear sky.

Add Gear Patrol as a Preferred Source on Google

By Gray Van Dyke

Published December 10, 2025

·

If you buy from a link, we may earn a commission. Learn more

After making its EV market debut in 2023 in the form of the midsize Solterra, Subaru has been quick to bolster its battery-powered lineup throughout this year.

That’s because, along with announcing the all-new Trailseeker earlier in April, the Japanese automaker also subsequently teased us over the summer with the unveiling of its smallest, sportiest crossover yet: the 2026 Uncharted.

Orange and black compact SUV parked on a forest trail with sunlight filtering through trees. — The Uncharted is Subaru’s smallest EV yet, some seven inches shorter than the Solterra.

Now, Subaru has confirmed pricing and full specs for that model. While its name (Uncharted) might conjure up images of parts unknown, thankfully, it’s actually to be refreshingly approachable — even with an all-electric powertrain.

Front-wheel drive affordability

At $34,995 (before destination), the Uncharted Premium FWD promises some significant savings compared to the Solterra, as there’s over $3,000 separating the model from its sibling’s cheapest trim.

Car interior showing a Subaru steering wheel, large touchscreen display with apps, and two smartphones on the center console. — Dual wireless phone chargers and a 14-inch touchscreen display ensure that even the Premium FWD brings big value.

Now, for Subaru to get the new EV down to such an accessible price point, this did mean that it had to resort to some unusual tactics. As the Uncharted Premium FWD’s name suggests, not only is this the brand’s first-ever front-wheel drive SUV but also its first front-wheel drive vehicle in decades.

While this means that the Uncharted Premium does without Subaru’s typical Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive system (the higher-spec options do feature it, however), that’s not to say that it’s lacking in other areas.

Orange and black electric SUV driving on a grassy dirt road with dry hills in the background. — The milder 221-horsepower single-motor powertrain promises the longest range of the lot at over 300 miles on a single charge.

Quite the contrary, as the milder 221-horsepower front-wheel drive powertrain delivers the longest range of the bunch, estimated at over 300 miles on a single charge from its 74.7-kWh battery. Topping up from 10-80 percent takes approximately 28 minutes with 150-kW charging speeds.

Moreover, the Uncharted comes with 8.2 inches of ground clearance, Subaru still makes provisions for Eco and Snow drive modes, and it offers a suite of safety features like Pre-Collision Braking, Front Cross Traffic Alert, Lane Departure Alert, Emergency Stop Assist and Advanced Adaptive Cruise Control.

Close-up of black "UNCHARTED" lettering on an orange vehicle surface. — The Uncharted is the first Subaru in quite a while to feature a front-wheel-drive powertrain.

Add to that tech like a 14-inch infotainment display, dual wireless phone chargers and a 10-way adjustable driver’s seat, and the result is an EV that’s easier on the wallet but not barren of the usual creature comforts.

Smaller and sportier than the rest

Assuming you’d like a little more oomph from your Uncharted, though, Subaru will also be offering the EV in upgraded Sport and GT trims.

In each case, the powertrain benefits from a second electric motor, enabling Subaru Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive with X-MODE as well as a higher 338-horsepower output.

Orange and black electric SUV driving on a dirt road surrounded by green trees and grass. — Subaru will, of course, offer the Uncharted with its Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive and X-Mode.

While this does mean that the range suffers slightly compared to the Premium FWD trim (down from 300 to 285 and 270 miles, respectively), it’s worth pointing out that the improved power figure is comparable to that of the Solterra. As such, at seven inches shorter in overall length, the Uncharted promises a much sportier experience.

To that end,, even though the Uncharted can’t quite match the 4.4-second 0-60 acceleration of its speedy Trailseeker stablemate (Subaru claims around five seconds), it’s significantly shorter. At six inches longer and one inch taller than the Solterra, the Trailseeker stretches more than a foot beyond the Uncharted.

It’s cheaper, too, as both Sport and GT versions come in a few $1,000 cheaper than the closest Trailseeker. Considering that each Uncharted trim adds features like a 360-degree surround-view monitor, voice-activated seat adjustment, heated rear outboard seats and a panoramic glass roof, it nevertheless packs tons of value.

Orange Subaru SUV with black roof driving on a dusty dirt road through grassy hills. — What’s to say that Subaru won’t eventually give the Uncharted an even more powerful option to match the Trailseeker?

Pricing and availability

Subaru will offer the 2026 Uncharted in five colors, including Coastal Wolf Gray Metallic, Habanero Orange Metallic, Cosmic White Pearl, Astro Black Mica, and Metropolis Gray. Buyers will also have the option of select two-tone colors on the GT model for an additional fee.

Pricing (excluding destination and delivery) for the Uncharted Premium FWD will start from $34,995, while the Sport and GT trims will start from $39,795 and $43,795, respectively. You can head to Subaru’s website to learn more.

Gray Subaru electric SUV with black trim driving on a shaded forest road.

2026 Subaru Uncharted

Starts at $34,995

About the Author: Gray is an associate editor at Gear Patrol, covering cars, motorcycles and anything else with wheels. When he’s not chasing the latest industry news, he’s probably wrenching on one of many projects. For better or worse, he believes classics make perfectly practical daily drivers.

Want to stay up to date on the latest product news and releases? Add Gear Patrol as a preferred source to ensure our independent journalism makes it to the top of your Google search results.