Uncharted, 2 or 4-wheel drive, nearly 600 km of range and five-star safety; how it drives and what it offers for outdoor enthusiasts.
The name Uncharted already says a great deal about Subaru's intentions: to accompany drivers towards new places and new habits, broadening the horizons of discovery and travel, without sacrificing the safety that has always defined the Japanese brand. Uncharted is Subaru's third electric model, following the Solterra and the e-Outback. But it is the first to offer, alongside all-wheel drive — traditionally a hallmark of many Subaru models — a two-wheel-drive variant.
Why point that out? Because for a brand so closely associated with off-road driving and mobility on challenging terrain, the decision to offer an electric model with 2-wheel drive might raise eyebrows among purists who have always been loyal to the brand's 4×4 heritage. In reality the logic is straightforward: in the compact electric car market, front-wheel drive accounts for a significant share of demand, particularly for predominantly urban and everyday use, with the added benefit of a lower entry price and greater electric range compared to the all-wheel-drive version, thanks to reduced weight and mechanical complexity. That is also why we decided to focus on this version.
The Subaru Uncharted range is structured around three options: two with front-wheel drive and batteries of different capacities, and one with all-wheel drive featuring two independent electric motors (one for the front wheels, one for the rear). To simplify: the key differences are easy to identify — the 4×4 prioritises traction on all wheels in every condition, especially on difficult terrain or steep gradients, while the 4×2 is designed for those who also use their car in daily life, commuting to work, driving in the city, without ruling out family weekends away.
There are two front-wheel-drive versions: 167 horsepower with a 57.7 kWh battery and a declared average range of 451 kilometres, or 224 horsepower with a 77 kWh battery and a range of up to 592 kilometres on the combined cycle. A front-wheel-drive version that offers, as mentioned, the highest electric range in the lineup: according to figures declared by Subaru, the 2E-xcite+ trim can reach up to 816 km on the urban cycle, with energy consumption (also declared) of between 13.7 and 15.7 kWh/100 km. Figures that, as one might expect, make it possible to plan longer journeys without the range anxiety that still holds many drivers back. Prices start from €39,900.
Add to that the fact that fast charging on direct current brings the battery from 10 to 80 per cent in around half an hour, while the on-board charger supports up to 22 kW three-phase and 11 kW single-phase for AC charging. In winter, a battery preconditioning system — activated by setting a departure time — reduces charging times by up to 40 per cent even at lower temperatures, a detail that makes a real difference for anyone planning a winter weekend in the mountains.
For our test we deliberately chose to forgo the second electric motor on the rear wheels of the 4×4 version, to find out whether it truly represented a limitation. The answer is simple: unless you are tackling particularly demanding terrain (unpaved tracks, very steep gradients, snowy and poorly compacted routes), the Subaru DNA remains intact and recognisable. The battery pack, positioned beneath the floor, lowers the centre of gravity, becomes a structural part of the chassis, stiffening the body and improving stability and handling predictability; the immediate response of the electric motor, the smooth delivery of torque, and a well-balanced suspension setup combine to deliver a thoroughly reassuring driving experience.
A drive that instils calm throughout, free from noise or vibrations, with three driving modes (Normal, Eco, Power) and a Snow mode for safe winter travel; in short, whether to prioritise range or a more spirited drive (at the expense of electric range, naturally) remains a personal choice — the steering wheel paddles allow the driver to adjust regenerative braking during deceleration. Even without the sophisticated dual-motor 4×4 system of the all-wheel-drive version (which remains the choice for those who know they will face very demanding terrain, as noted), the 2-wheel-drive variant offers advantages such as greater ground clearance (21 centimetres).
If there is one area in which Subaru has built its credibility, it is safety. Euro NCAP awarded Uncharted 5 stars, the highest score available. Beyond the rating, it is the approach to safety, the construction and design philosophy that truly make the difference: Subaru's stated goal is to reduce the number of fatal accidents to zero by 2030, acting on three fronts — preventing collisions, making driving simpler and more intuitive, and protecting both occupants and vulnerable road users (pedestrians and cyclists above all) when an impact cannot be avoided.
To understand the tools at hand, one need only list some of the functions of the Safety Sense system: automatic pre-collision braking, emergency steering assistance, blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, and monitoring of pedestrians and approaching vehicles during parking manoeuvres. The 8 airbags provide further reassurance for occupants, while the combined effect of the front, rear and side cameras resolves poor visibility during manoeuvres, particularly when reversing due to the shape of the rear bodywork.
Inside the Subaru Uncharted, the advantages of a native electric platform are clear — meaning generous legroom (less so for rear passengers, especially headroom), despite overall fairly compact exterior dimensions (4.51 metres in length). The 14-inch central display handles infotainment and climate control, while the centre console features two convenient wireless smartphone chargers and a practical rotary selector in place of the classic gear lever. Finishes and materials are good overall, though the number of storage compartments could be improved.
What remains to be seen is how well, in the reality of daily driving and weekend getaways, the choice to offer a two-wheel-drive electric car holds up against the expectations built over the years around the Subaru name. Put it this way: it could be a more sustainable reinterpretation of the brand's outdoor vocation. Clearly, we are no longer talking about a true off-roader in the classic sense of the term — a concept that has, over the years, become increasingly "diluted", adapted to a more contemporary idea of tourism that is more mindful of nature.
A mindfulness that, thanks to the absence of noise and local emissions from electric drive, becomes even more relevant. The higher ground clearance remains, as does an electronic control system that helps tackle dirt tracks and slippery surfaces. Above all, what remains is the vocation of a car — SUV or crossover, call it what you will — designed to accompany everyday journeys as confidently as family escapes at the weekend. For Subaru, this is undoubtedly a new way of travelling. For those who love nature and the discovery of places (perhaps, where permitted, not yet charted on any map), going electric becomes an additional ally, not a compromise.