2026 Subaru Uncharted Review
2027 Subaru Uncharted vs. 2027 Toyota Bz: Which Electric Crossover Wins?
Price (AWD GT): Subaru Uncharted: $42,495 | Toyota Bz: $43,895
Power: Subaru Uncharted: 221 hp (Base) / 338 hp (AWD) | Toyota Bz: 168 hp (Base) / 338 hp (AWD)
Range: Subaru Uncharted: Up to 273 miles | Toyota Bz: Up to 236 miles
Battery: Subaru Uncharted: 67 kWh (Base) / 74.5 kWh (AWD) | Toyota Bz: 57.7 kWh (Base) / 74.5 kWh (AWD)
Here is Toyobaru 2.0! The Subaru Uncharted/Toyota Bz. At first glance, it would be easy to dismiss the Uncharted as a rebadged Toyota Bz and walk away. Before you do that though, dive into the details and you’ll find a hidden bargain hiding in plain sight! Let’s go over the details, shall we?
Before you get all up in arms, for once, the Subaru actually looks different compared to the Toyota version! That’s not to say that the Subaru version looks better, I prefer the Bz styling but they both have the Tesla Model Y inspired styling cues. So the same depressing faux crossover-not-crossover-car-lifted-hatchback trend dominating the market right now. So the Uncharted looks like it was designed with a ruler while the Bz looks like a natural evolution from the fantastic looking Prius.
But you would be wrong! The Subaru is actually cheaper, starting at $34,995, and comes with more power in its most basic trim at 221 horsepower compared to 168 horsepower in the Toyota. A 60-horsepower difference is not insignificant; it is actually pretty massive. That can be attributed to the base battery pack being 67 kWh versus 57.7 kWh in the Toyota. In turn, this increases the base FWD Uncharted to 273 miles of range on a charge versus 236 miles on the Toyota Bz. Add that to a $1,300 price difference, and it makes the Subaru a MUCH better deal.
However, that is the FWD model. Front-wheel drive is antithetical to Subaru, so we are now looking at the AWD variants, in which the Subaru comes out around $1,400 cheaper yet again. The other advantage is that it matches the Bz in horsepower and kWh. Range takes a hit since the Subaru is programmed to have a rigid 50:50 torque split all the time, while the Bz is variable depending on conditions. Using less power spinning a wheel means the longer you can drive. But it turns out in testing that the Uncharted winds up being a bit quicker as well, with a fierce blast to $60\text{ mph}$ in 4.3 seconds.
As for styling, I prefer the Toyota’s Prius influence over the bland styling of the Uncharted. The Bz offers a blend of svelte front-end styling with a rear end that looks like it belongs on a Lexus-badged vehicle rather than a plebeian Toyota. Speaking of front ends, the headlights on the Uncharted are absurdly dim compared to the Bz. They are so dim, in fact, that these are probably the least powerful headlights—in both range and brightness—in a vehicle I have ever tested. The flip side of that equation is that the headlights on the Toyota Bz are downright superb.
The interior on both vehicles—there is no getting around it—is the exact same, other than the steering wheel badges. You get the exact same layout, the same infotainment screen, the same buttons, the same steering wheel and unfortunately the same driver side display that is so irritatingly positioned, it requires the steering wheel to be in your lap to see the entire thing! Other than the stupid driver display, the interior is nothing to complain about… which is another way of saying that this is probably the best functioning interior in all of EVdom! Every control that needs a switch… has a physical switch. The dashboard doesn’t look like a CES booth with screens and/or gigantic screens haphazardly glued on. It just works and works extremely well.
Behind the wheel, the driving dynamics are… the exact same as well. Both are tuned brilliantly. So you have the same "flingability" found in the Bz and the same overall ride refinement as well. Bear in mind that this is not a WRX EV, so it is miles if not continents off of the chassis dynamics and fun found in the WRX, but the Subaru Uncharted knows what it is and it's an EV vehicle designed for commuting, and for that, it does and does very well.
Ultimately, choosing between these two comes down to your priorities. If you want better base range, a lower price tag, and a slightly punchier launch, the 2027 Subaru Uncharted takes the crown. Just make sure you invest in aftermarket light bars (or if you’re cool, some old school KC running lights with the smiley face covers) if you plan on driving at night.
| Feature | 2026 Subaru Uncharted | 2026/2027 Toyota bZ |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Price (MSRP) | $38,000 - $46,000 (est.) | $36,350 - $46,750 |
| Power / Horsepower | 221 hp (FWD) to 338 hp (AWD) | 168 hp (Base) to 338 hp (AWD) |
| Performance (0–60 mph) | Approx. 4.3 seconds (AWD GT) | Approx. 4.6 – 4.9 seconds (AWD) |
| Battery Capacity | 74.7 kWh (Lithium-ion) | 57.7 kWh to 74.7 kWh |
| Driving Range (EPA Est.) | 273 – 308 miles | 236 – 314 miles |
| Charging Standard | NACS (Native / Supercharger compatible) | NACS (Native with Plug & Charge) |
| Platform & Architecture | Co-developed e-TNGA | Toyota e-TNGA |
