Subaru Delivers First Front-Drive Model In Ages

The 2026 Subaru Uncharted has arrived with a starting MSRP of $34,995. This makes it the most affordable all-electric model in the company’s current lineup. However, this was accomplished by making all-wheel drive an optional extra — which is something Subaru hasn’t done since Symmetrical AWD became standard equipment in 1996.

While the company does have the rear-drive BRZ (produced in tandem with Toyota’s GR86) on sale, the model doesn’t offer AWD because it’s supposed to be a traditional sports coupe. The Uncharted will be the brand’s first front-drive model in decades and the only one that will let you upgrade to all-wheel drive.

That’s presumably because it’s not technically a Subaru. It’s Subaru’s take on the e-TNGA Toyota C-HR+. We’ve previously seen this strategy with the Toyota bZ4X and Subaru Solterra EVs, which also utilize the e-TNGA platform.

As previously noted, the base Uncharted Premium starts at $34,995 — which is really more like $36,500 once you’ve accounted for the $1,450 destination fee. Optioning all-wheel drive requires one to purchase the Uncharted Sport ($39,795) or GT ($43,795) and again shelling out a bit more for destination and handling.

But you’re not just getting all-wheel drive because AWD EVs tend to make use of an extra motor to drive the second axle. The Premium (which is a rather confusing name for Subaru’s base trimmed EVs) uses a single-motor that sends 221 horsepower to the front tires. The other two are dual-motor designs boasting a claimed 338 horsepower.

This doesn’t necessarily make them better picks, however. As is usually the case with all-electric models, the single-motor option offers better range. In this case, the front-drive Subie offers an estimated 300 miles of range between charges. Meanwhile, you’ll need to recharge the Sport before you’ve reached 280 miles and the GT closer to 275 miles.

In all cases, the Uncharted is a little more frugal with its energy than a similarly equipped Subaru Solterra or Trailseeker. It also costs quite a bit less upfront, though the savings are most noticeable when you’re picking between the base trims. This makes sense because all of the automaker’s EVs presently use a 74.7-kWh lithium-ion battery and the Uncharted just happens to be the smallest vehicle in the bunch.

Dimensionally, the model is roughly the size of Subaru’s very popular Crosstrek. However, like the Solterra (which is 7 inches longer), the Uncharted boasts a smidgen less ground clearance than many of the brand’s gasoline models. Still, 8.2 inches is likely sufficient in helping the vehicle cope with less-than-ideal road conditions.

Subaru said that the standard battery preconditioning system will help maximize range and improve charging, particularly in colder climates, at speeds up to 150 kW. That’s not quite industry leading, nor is it really a problem.

In most cases, you’ll be charging at home using the Uncharted’s 11-kW onboard charger to recoup energy overnight. Meanwhile, we’ve found that EVs charging elsewhere are usually at the mercy of the public stations available to them. In many cases, something like a 250-kW fast charger won’t be giving you the full Monty anyway.

Even if it did, you’re only likely to shave off a couple of minutes of your total charging time — especially once you get past the 80 percent mark where things tend to slow way down.

Subaru said to expect to go from a 10 to 80 percent state of charge in approximately 28 minutes using a 150-kW charger. That’s pretty typical for the segment right now.

The base model comes with 18-inch aluminum-alloy wheels with gloss-black wheel covers and a power liftgate. Standard drive modes include an Eco and Snow mode. The Uncharged comes with dual wireless cell phone chargers, dual front and rear USB-C charging ports, a 120-volt AC power outlet, cloth interior upholstery, a 10-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, 14-inch central touchscreen, a seven-inch LCD gauge cluster, and dual-zone automatic climate controls. An All-Weather Package boasts heated front seats, heated power exterior mirrors, and windshield wiper de-icer.

Buyers also get aspects of the automaker’s EyeSight driver-assist tech, including “available Pre-Collision Braking, Front Cross Traffic Alert, Blind Spot Monitors, Lane Departure Alert, Emergency Stop Assist, Advanced Adaptive Cruise Control, and distraction mitigation system.”

Climbing the trim ladder will get you a 360-degree surround-view monitor, Traffic Jam Assist, and Lane Change Assist. Customers optioning the more expensive version will likewise open the door to heated steering wheels, a power-adjustable front passenger seat, additional upholstery options, and more.

But the most noteworthy differences come by way of the top-trimmed Uncharted GT. It adds a larger central screen (20 inches), upgraded wheels (also 20 inches), a panoramic glass roof with a motorized sunshade, ventilated front seats, upgraded Harman Kardon audio system, heated rear seats, additional connectivity features, and the ability to add two-tone paint for an extra $970.

Launching on our market this spring, the 2026 Subaru Uncharted is an interesting entrant to Subaru’s EV lineup. Something like the Nissan Leaf is presumably more practical for the average household, boasts slightly better range, and costs less. But it doesn’t offer nearly as much ground clearance and cannot be hand with all-wheel drive.

While your author is certainly a big fan of all-wheel drive, it’s my strong belief that simply throwing a set of good winter tires on during the snowy season yields far better results than sending power to a second axle for the typical commuter. But needs vary and there are certainly some divers that will want both. It’s just hard to rationalize spending more to upgrade the Uncharted when Subaru already offers a slew of AWD-equipped gasoline models at significantly lower prices.

Further complicating the issue is the fact that Subaru has said it only plans on offering the FWD Uncharted in limited numbers. That means most buyers had better like the pricier trims because that’s what will probably be available.

[Images: Subaru]

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