Subaru Forester vs Subaru Uncharted

2026 Subaru Forester vs 2026 Subaru Uncharted — two small SUVs compared on efficiency, size, safety and reliability.

Subaru Forester

2026 Subaru Forester

Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WDAWD/4WDHybrid/EV
VS2 – 3Subaru Uncharted wins 3 of 5 categories
Subaru Uncharted

2026 Subaru Uncharted

Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WDAWD/4WDHybrid/EV

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The short version

That works out to about $1,300 a year less in fuel for the Subaru Uncharted (EPA estimate, 15,000 miles).

The Subaru Forester is the bigger car, about 6 inches longer.

Across all model years since 2005, the Subaru Uncharted has had fewer recall campaigns (0 vs 39).

The two cars

The 2026 Subaru Forester is a small SUV offered with a 2.5L 4-cyl engine, including a hybrid version and all-wheel drive. It measures about 184 inches long and 72 inches wide on a 105-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,580 lb.

The 2026 Subaru Uncharted is a small SUV powered by electricity and front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive. It measures about 178 inches long and 74 inches wide on a 108-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 4,475 lb (4dr SUV AWD).

Basics

Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
Class
Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD
Hybrid, Regular Gasoline
Fuel
EV
2.5L 4-cyl
Engines
EV
All-Wheel Drive
Drivetrain
Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive

Efficiency

35 MPG
Best combined MPG
–
35 city
City / highway MPG (best)
–
–
EV range
308 mi
$1,900
Fuel cost per year (EPA)
$600

Performance & space

180 hp
Horsepower (most powerful)
–
5
Seats (most)
5
183.5 in
Length
178 in
72 in
Width
73.6 in
68.1 in
Height
63.8 in
3,580 lb
Curb weight (lightest)
3,979 lb

Safety & reliability

14
Driver-assist features standard
12
4
Recalls (2026)
0
39
Recalls, all years since 2005
0
32
Owner complaints (latest year)
40

Interest

21,870
Wikipedia views, 30 days
3,661

Buying used

Best used year
–
Year to avoid
–

Green = clearly better. Prices are not included. How we calculate this →

Which one should you choose?

Choose the Subaru Forester if…

  • You want more room (6 in longer)
  • You want more standard driver-assist tech

Choose the Subaru Uncharted if…

  • You want an EV with more range (308 miles)
  • You want something easier to park (6 in shorter)
  • You put reliability history first (0 vs 39 recalls since 2005)

Pros & cons of each

2026 Subaru Forester

  • Excellent fuel economyUp to 35 MPG combined — 35% better than the average 2026 small SUV (25.9 MPG).
  • Hybrid version availableOffered as a hybrid as well as gas.
  • Lots of standard safety tech5 of 5 key driver aids standard on the versions we checked.
  • "Do not drive" recallCheck that the recall repair was done before buying or driving.

2026 Subaru Uncharted

  • Long EV rangeUp to 308 miles on a charge (EPA).
  • AWD / 4WD available
  • Lots of standard safety tech5 of 5 key driver aids standard on the versions we checked.

Full 2026 Subaru Forester specs →Full 2026 Subaru Uncharted specs →Compare fuel costs for your driving →Compare size & garage fit →