Toyota and Subaru’s Shared Electric Vehicles: A Strategy that Makes Sense
Many people are surprised to learn that Toyota and Subaru, two giant automakers, share almost identical Electric Vehicles (EVs) under their respective badges. For instance, the 2026 Toyota bZ – formerly known as the bZ4X – is essentially a Subaru Solterra, with only minor tuning differences. Similarly, the Subaru Trailseeker and Toyota bZ Woodland are mechanical twins, designed specifically for dirt roads. The most recent addition to this family of shared EVs is Toyota’s new electric C-HR SUV and its Subaru twin, the Uncharted.
Why Sharing Platforms Makes Sense
Toyota and Subaru’s strategy of sharing platforms for their EVs seems to be a smart move. With the gradual fading of federal EV incentives, automakers are under pressure to justify costs through higher production volumes. By using the same basic hardware, Toyota and Subaru are able to boost scale. Currently, six models from the two brands share almost identical motors, batteries, and platforms. This includes large models like the Trailseeker or Woodland, midsize twins the bZ and Solterra, and the newest compact pair: Toyota’s sporty C-HR EV and Subaru’s Uncharted.
The Uncharted: A Subaru Twist on a Toyota Design
While the Uncharted shares hardware with the C-HR, Subaru designers have added a unique rugged touch. They’ve redesigned the front end, introducing six-element LED daytime-running lamps, a robust plastic bumper, and a Subaru badge mounted low on the nose. The Uncharted also sports full-width taillights and a more off-road-styled bumper and reflectors. Inside, Subaru has kept the 14-inch touchscreen and general dash layout of the Toyota’s C-HR but added its own unique touch with a square-shaped steering wheel and distinctive gray-and-orange interior trim.
Power, Range, and Charging
When it comes to power, the Uncharted shares its powertrains with the C-HR. The base Uncharted Premium comes with a single 221-hp motor, while the Sport and GT trims feature a rear motor for all-wheel drive, delivering a total of 338 hp. Subaru claims the dual-motor versions can reach 60 mph in under 5 seconds. The Uncharted uses a roughly 75-kWh battery, and Subaru estimates a range of about 300 miles for the single-motor Premium model, and around 290 miles for the AWD Sport/GT models. Charging is via a North American Charging Standard (NACS) port with up to 150 kW DC fast-charging and an 11-kW AC onboard charger for overnight home charging.
Despite its underpinnings coming from Toyota, the Uncharted “breaks decisively in a distinctly Subaru direction” with its styling and tuning. Subaru plans to launch the Uncharted in early 2026, promising a compact EV that will be highly functional both on dirt roads and city streets.
