The Subaru Trailseeker, left, is the automaker's electric riff on the top-selling Outback wagon; the smaller Uncharted is a curvy take on the compact Crosstrek. Photos: Alan Neuhauser
Subaru's first electric vehicle was a teetotaling scold, with schoolhouse-stiff seats and literal alerts to "sit up."
- The automaker's new Uncharted and Trailseeker EVs still play the schoolmarm, but at least the Uncharted sugars it with a smile.
The big picture: The Uncharted is a sinuous riff on Subaru's compact Crosstrek: a lifted hatchback that replaces the Crosstrek's hard angles with lithe curves.
- The Trailseeker, a cousin of Subaru's Outback wagon, resembles a big rectangle and lumbers like one.
Behind the scenes: Both vehicles, like Subaru's debut Solterra EV, were co-developed with Toyota.
- But unlike its first EV, the Uncharted and Trailseeker — especially the Uncharted — flash personality.
Zoom in: The smaller Uncharted is an exceptional in-town and in-region rambler.
- It delivers agile handling and peppy acceleration.
- It also, crucially, doesn't feel compact — even though it is.
Friction point: The Trailseeker makes thornier tradeoffs.
- It's about a foot longer and, with ground clearance of 8.5 inches, and sacrifices aerodynamics for better off-road performance.
- Those choices drag the Trailseeker's driving range below 300 miles, keeping it from being a true long-distance tourer.
The other side: It can deliver in-region camping trips — as well as peace-of-mind in a heavy snow storm.
The bottom line: The Trailseeker may be a fit for folks looking for extra space, more room between the road and the car, and don't mind additional charging stops. The Uncharted is more versatile — and more fun.
Driving the Uncharted and Trailseeker
Subaru over consecutive weeks arranged for a fully-charged Uncharted and Trailseeker to each be dropped off at my house outside Providence, R.I.
- I drove local roads and highways, but stayed firmly on the charts and off the trails.
By the numbers (Uncharted | Trailseeker)
- Base price: $34,995 | $39,995
- Price as tested: $39,795 for mid-range Sport trim | $39,995 for base Premium trim.
- Peak range: 301 mi | 281 mi
- Charge time: Around 30 minutes to the recommended 80% for both.
Liked:
- Approachable prices; solid features even at base trims.
- Attractive styling on the Uncharted; plenty of space in the Trailseeker.
- Pleasant driving experience; reasonably comfortable.
Disliked:
- Staid looks and handling in the Trailseeker.
- Modest range.
- I'll slouch if I want to, OK, Subaru?
The bottom line: These cars deliver excellent regional rides — with the Uncharted bringing stylistic and driving flair the Trailseeker lacks.
The not-so-missing middle
We once bemoaned the lack of affordable EVs. No longer.
Why it matters: With the arrival this year of the Uncharted and Trailseeker, American drivers can now choose from 17 EVs that start below $40,000.
Driving the news: Seven of those rides — more than 40% — arrived in the past year alone.
- Five, including the Uncharted, promise base-model driving range beyond 300 miles.
The intrigue: U.S. EV sales growth in Q2 rebounded 14% — reversing a 50% nosedive over the previous two quarters.
Stunning stat: Nearly one in four new vehicles sold in Q2 was electrified, per Cox Automotive.
Zoom in: The trend seems largely driven by volatile gasoline prices. But the wide selection of lower-cost EVs maybe be playing a role, too.
- Seven of the top-10 selling EVs in the U.S. through the first half of 2026 were those affordable models. (The others: the Rivian R1S, Lexus RZ, and Cadillac Lyriq.)
Reality check: It's too soon for Q3 EV sales data, but Cox Automotive last month predicted a modest decline.
How the sales stack up
Tesla remains by far the U.S. EV sales leader.
What we're watching: Subaru's new Uncharted and Trailseeker haven't posted explosive sales after their midyear debuts. We'll see if they gather speed.
