2026 Toyota C-HR and Subaru Uncharted: Two Small EVs Coming Up Next Year
Toyota and Subaru are renewing their partnership—for the third time when it comes to electric vehicles. Following the bZ4X/Solterra (the first will simply be called bZ from now on) and bZ Woodland/Trailseeker (debuting for 2026), prepare to say hello to the equally new C-HR and Uncharted, a pair of smaller crossovers with impressive features and capabilities of their own.
They will go on sale in Canada early next year, and competitors better watch out because they are bound to become big hits—assuming their prices are even remotely competitive. Incidentally, this duo will go head-to-head with the Chevrolet Equinox EV, which has enjoyed remarkable success so far, and the Hyundai Kona Electric.
Same, But Different
Discontinued at the end of the 2022 model year, the C-HR subcompact crossover will make its return to the Canadian market. It’s worth noting that Toyota has never stopped sales in Europe, having launched a second generation there in 2023. For Subaru, the Uncharted is an odd name at first but a fitting one when you consider the brand’s focus on adventure and exploring new terrain.
Both vehicles are made from the same mold, but their respective designers have made sure to incorporate a few distinctive touches. Each one boasts an athletic stance, a coupe-like roofline and rear door handles built into the frame. The wheels are either 18 or 20 inches in size, and a two-tone exterior is available.
The front end is where they are easier to set apart. The C-HR takes on the aggressive headlight signature of the latest Toyota cars and the lower bumper has a sporty look, while the Uncharted gets a slightly boxier and more rugged treatment that’s similar to that of the Trailseeker (a sort of electric Outback).
The sizable 2.75-metre wheelbase translates into a spacious cabin, and despite a total length of around 4.5 metres, both vehicles still have room for a rear trunk with a capacity of over 700 liters. The interior is almost a carbon copy and includes 64-colour ambient lighting, dual wireless phone chargers on the console, a standard 14-inch infotainment screen and a fully digital instrument panel. Meanwhile, the steering wheel comes with paddles allowing the driver to adjust the level of regenerative braking. Clearly, Toyota and Subaru did not want to skimp on technology.
Serious Capabilities
While the bZ4X and Solterra have disappointed so far due to their underwhelming, below-average specs and performance, that is not the case with the C-HR and Uncharted. Both will offer front-wheel drive models (yes, even at Subaru) producing 221 horsepower and all-wheel drive models generating 338 horsepower. How about 0-100 km/h sprints in as little as 5.2 seconds?
Most of the time, a 77kWh battery will provide power. As a result, the C-HR’s range will be up to 465-500 km and the Uncharted’s up to 460-480 km, comparable to the Equinox EV. The exception will come from Subaru, which plans to offer a smaller battery in base trim, the size of which will be specified later.
As for charging, with the ability to draw up to 150 kW from a DC fast charging station, it will take about 30 minutes to go from 10-80 percent in optimal conditions, engineers claim. Even better, a battery preconditioning system and energy-saving heat pump are expected to speed up charging sessions in cold weather. Oh, and thanks to the native NACS port, owners will have direct access to Tesla’s Superchargers and other compatible public chargers.
Sounds quite promising, doesn’t it?
