Subaru, the brand associated for decades with boxer engines and dusty gravel roads, is making a complete 180. Australia will get three electric Subarus all at once — the updated Solterra, the new Trailseeker and the compact Uncharted. Three years ago, not a single one of these existed in local showrooms. As Drive reports, the expansion is just around the corner.
And it’s not just about the EV hype. Subaru has been cornered by Australia’s new NVES emissions rules: importing too many high-emission cars now comes with hefty fines. According to the source, the brand is already staring down around 7 million Australian dollars in penalties unless it offsets the gap with low-emission sales. That’s a serious hit to the wallet. And a powerful reason to move fast.
The most affordable newcomer will be the Subaru Uncharted. In Australia, the EV launches in a single trim at 59,990 Australian dollars — roughly $39,000 by today’s exchange rate.
And the specs don’t exactly match that modest price tag. The Uncharted packs two electric motors, all-wheel drive and a combined 252 kW. Zero to 100 km/h takes just 5 seconds. A 74.7 kWh CATL battery delivers up to 522 km on the WLTP cycle, and 150 kW DC fast charging takes the battery from 10 to 80% in around 30 minutes. Ground clearance sits at 211 mm, with Subaru’s signature X-Mode and a surround-view camera system on board.
For Subaru, this is far more than just a lineup expansion. The company that clung to the Forester, Outback and Crosstrek for decades is now rolling out strong hybrids and several EVs in one go. Subaru itself isn’t ready to name a target share for EV sales yet — but the direction is set, and there’s clearly no turning back.
