Subaru of New Zealand is taking a serious look at the Uncharted compact-SUV as its second pure-electric model, to join the larger Trailseeker in showrooms from early next year.
The previously uncharted intention was announced at the media launch for the Trailseeker this week. Trailseeker is a medium-sized crossover that's both a wagon version of the Solterra and a sister car to Toyota's bZ4X Touring.
Solterra was launched in NZ in early 2024, but did not sell well and was not renewed when an updated model became available this year, which leaves Trailseeker alone as Subaru's Kiwi EV offering. But perhaps not for long.
The company has just landed two Uncharted models for evaluation, including dealer consulation and public viewings. The model will be on display at the inaugural NZ EV & Tech Expo at Auckland Showgrounds next month.
"It’s the next obvious step for us," says Subaru of NZ general manager Paul Mallard. "But to make it work in the market we have to have the right pricing and the right positioning. And we want to give the Trailseeker a good go and see how that goes first."
But Mallard says if all goes well, Uncharted could be in Kiwi showrooms in the first quarter of 2027.
"We'll evaluate [the car] and talk to our Subaru friends in Japan about exactly what we'd want for NZ. This slots in a decent step below Trailseeker and we know that’s a very price-competitive market. We want to make sure it’s really relevant."
Uncharted is on the same platform and electric architecture as the Trailseeker, although it's a lot smaller (300mm shorter) and sports a coupe-style profile. Both have the same 74.7kWh battery; WLTP range for Uncharted is 522km. There's also a Toyota version, the CH-R+ (not a direct relation to the CH-R hybrid sold in NZ beyond the name).
Uncharted has slightly less power than Trailseeker: 252kW versus 280kW, thanks to a detuned rear motor. But it still hits 100km/h in around 5 seconds.
A NZ Uncharted would inevitably be a twin specification to what's already on offer in Australia; the same distributor, Inchcape, handles the brand in both countries. Across the Tasman, Uncharted sits about $3k below Solterra (not currently offered here) and $5k underneath Trailseeker (which starts at $68,990 in NZ).
The most obvious rival for Uncharted in NZ would be the Suzuki e Vitara AWD, which starts at $64,990. However, with such strong style and performance it could also line up against premium models like the Volvo EX30 Cross Country ($69,990).
A return for Solterra in updated form is also not out of the question, if both Trailseeker and Uncharted go well in NZ.
"Solterra we would see as the third one to look at," says Mallard. "It fits in between Uncharted and Trailseeker... but three in a competitive landscape is also tricky to support."
