Switch to an EV with your electric home
When the transformation of our home to all‑electric was completed, the next logical step was to electrify our transport. Three months ago, we traded in our diesel Mercedes‑Benz C‑Class for Subaru’s new Uncharted — a car jointly developed by Toyota and Subaru.
It is a fabulous car, and very well designed inside and out. We find it quiet and smooth.
It has sports‑car acceleration and handling, as well as easy everyday driving in Eco mode.
X‑Mode on Dirt Roads
On the national‑park tracks, X‑Mode is excellent. It feels planted and capable.
The low‑mounted camera view and angle indicators (sideways and forward pitch) gives a clear sense of terrain and vehicle position. This tech helps confidence, especially on windy, gravel roads.
Size, Comfort and Design
Although only 4.5 metres long, the Uncharted feels substantial thanks to its width (1870 mm), generous 211 mm ground clearance, and two‑tonne weight.
My wife was initially unsure about the slightly larger size compared to our old C‑Class, but the modern camera system makes parking effortless. On the open road, the extra width and height translate to improved comfort and better driving position.
The glass roof has become one of our favourite features, especially for rear passengers. We tend to keep it open in the city and closed in the country, where the light and heat can be stronger.
A 1,340 km Loop Through Regional Australia
We’ve just completed a 1,340 km road trip: Melbourne, Cobram, Cootamundra (farm stay), Wangaratta, Benalla, Euroa, and home.
On the highways and regional roads, the Uncharted is exceptionally quiet and comfortable.
The power and handling made overtaking trucks on narrow country roads feel safe and controlled.
Charging on the Road: A New Mindset
EV charging infrastructure has matured quickly in Australia. We found chargers in most small towns, plus a major Tesla site in Wagga Wagga that we could use. We also used Chargefox and Evie on our trip. They are all easy to operate, with apps providing remote monitoring.
The biggest shift is mindset: you recharge the car while doing something enjoyable, like morning coffee, lunch, a walk, an art gallery.
A full charge (74.7 kWh) from public stations would cost around $40, compared to roughly $180 to fill the diesel C‑Class (66 litres). Charging on the farm was free thanks to surplus daytime solar and lovely in-laws! We arrived home with one‑third battery remaining, ready to recharge from our own solar power.
Screens, CarPlay and Brilliant Driving Position
The main screen layout is superb with Apple CarPlay. We ran split‑screen with Google Maps and music on the left. It is simple and intuitive.
One standout design detail is the head‑up display. About 2 km before a turn, the direction cue flicks into the HUD, then disappears once completed. It keeps the display uncluttered and ideal for long‑distance driving.
The squarish steering wheel and the HUD positioned above it creates a driving position that feels better and more ergonomic. Once you get used to it, you won’t want to go back to looking through a circular wheel at a busy dashboard.
One Thing to Fix
The only real issue is the lack of a spare tyre. For everyday driving it’s fine, but for genuine “uncharted” outback trips you need to buy one from a third‑party provider. Subaru should offer this as an official accessory.