Subaru

The 2026 Subaru Uncharted is a fresh name, but it slots right into the brand’s expanding EV family as the smaller, more approachable alternative to the Solterra. Underneath, it shares the e-TNGA platform with the Toyota C-HR, so you get the usual Subaru practicality in a package that feels right at home in the city. What stands out is how it balances real-world range with the option for dual-motor power, making it a serious contender among electric subcompact SUVs.

Subaru Uncharted lease deals are now up for grabs, letting you get behind the wheel of the brand’s newest EV without having to buy in for the long term. If you’re weighing leasing over financing, the numbers are surprisingly reasonable for a just-launched model.

Subaru

This month’s lease deals center on the base Premium FWD trim, the most efficient in the lineup. The offer runs until April 30, 2026, and is set up for a 36-month lease. Right now, you can lease an Uncharted for $385 a month, which is one of the easier ways to try out a modern EV with solid range and up-to-date tech.

Trim

Monthly Payment

Lease Term

Due at Signing

Annual Mileage

2026 Uncharted Premium FWD

$385

36 months

$2,885

10,000 miles

This Subaru Uncharted lease deal also includes a $2,000 customer cash rebate, which helps lower the effective cost. There’s no security deposit required, although taxes, license, and dealer fees are excluded from the advertised figures.

The deal is linked to certain regions, but you’ll likely find similar offers in other areas with minor changes. As always, you’ll need credit approval and a participating dealer. While other trims might have lease options, Subaru is clearly putting the spotlight on the Premium FWD for buyers who want the most value.

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Looking past the lease numbers, the Uncharted itself is a solid package. The base Premium FWD runs a 221-hp single electric motor and is tuned for efficiency, with an estimated range of up to 308 miles. That’s a strong showing for the segment and a big reason why this trim makes the most sense for most people.

If you’re after more punch, the Sport and GT trims bring a dual-motor setup with 338 horsepower and standard all-wheel drive. These versions are much quicker, with the GT hitting 60 mph in about 4.3 seconds. You do trade off a bit of range, dropping to between 273 and 287 miles depending on the trim.

Every Uncharted uses a 67-kWh battery and supports fast charging, including access to Tesla Superchargers through the NACS port. Subaru says you can go from 10 to 80 percent charge in about 30 minutes if conditions are right.

Inside, the Uncharted feels more modern than what you might expect from Subaru. The dashboard is anchored by a big 14-inch infotainment screen, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto built in. There are also smart details like two wireless charging pads and a rear seat that’s roomier than most in this class.

Subaru

The Subaru Uncharted enters a busy field, with rivals like the Hyundai Kona Electric and Kia Niro EV. What makes it stand out is the balance: strong range in the base model, real performance upgrades if you want them, and a design that feels less utilitarian than older Subarus.

Leasing is a smart move here. EV tech is changing fast, and buying outright can feel risky. If you’re eyeing an Uncharted lease, the Premium FWD trim is the one to get. It gives you the best range, keeps the monthly payment in check, and still packs in the features that count. If Subaru can keep the price steady, the Uncharted could quietly turn into one of the smartest EV picks in its class.

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Disclaimer: This article is provided for informational purposes only. The information presented herein is based on manufacturer-provided lease offer information, which is subject to frequent change and may vary based on location, creditworthiness, and other factors. We are not a party to any lease agreements and assume no liability for the terms, conditions, availability, or accuracy of any lease offers mentioned. All terms, including but not limited to pricing, mileage allowances, and residual values, require direct verification with an authorized local OEM dealership. This article does not constitute financial advice or an endorsement of any particular lease or vehicle.

The Subaru Solterra is the star-spangled brand’s first real shot at a mass-market EV, mixing Subaru’s trademark all-wheel drive with a size that fits city life. For 2026, the updates are real: more range, more power, and faster charging. That puts it in a much stronger spot against the growing field of electric SUVs.

This April, Subaru is lowering the bar for getting into a Solterra with new lease offers. If buying feels like a leap too far, leasing lets you try out EV ownership without locking yourself in. The official numbers put the starting lease at $395 a month, which makes the Solterra one of the more approachable electric SUVs right now.

Subaru

The April lease deal centers on the base Premium trim of the 2026 Solterra. It’s available until April 30, 2026, at participating dealers, depending on your location and credit. The lease runs for 36 months, which usually hits the balance between manageable payments and not being tied down too long.

Subaru is also throwing in a $2,000 cash rebate, which helps bring down the real cost of leasing.

Trim

Monthly Payment

Lease Term

Due at Signing

Annual Mileage

2026 Solterra Premium

$395

36 months

$2,896

10,000 miles

This particular lease is for the Premium trim, but Subaru says other versions – like the Limited or Touring XT – might have their own deals depending on what’s in stock. If you want more features, it’s worth asking your local dealer for the latest numbers.

You get 10,000 miles a year before extra charges kick in, which is standard for this class. There’s no security deposit, so upfront costs stay reasonable.

Subaru

The 2026 Solterra fixes a lot of what held the first version back. Range is up to 288 miles, depending on trim, which is a solid 25% boost over before.

Power is up, too. The regular dual-motor setup now makes 233 horsepower, and the new XT version jumps to 338. That extra muscle means the XT can hit 60 mph in about 4.3 seconds, which you’ll definitely feel from behind the wheel.

Charging is better, too. Subaru switched to the North American Charging Standard port, so you can use Tesla’s Supercharger network. Fast-charging speeds now top out at 150 kW, and a new battery preconditioning system helps you get those speeds more often in real-world use.

Inside, the Solterra stays practical and uncluttered. There’s a new 14-inch touchscreen front and center, plus wireless charging and up-to-date connectivity. Subaru’s X-MODE all-wheel drive is still standard, so you get some light off-road ability even in an EV.

Subaru

The Solterra isn’t trying to shake up the compact electric SUV world. Instead, it sticks to what Subaru does best: traction, everyday usability, and a no-nonsense design. With the latest updates, it’s closing the gap in range and power, making it a smart pick if you want something familiar, just with a plug.

Leasing makes a lot of sense for EVs. The tech is moving fast, and buying outright can feel risky. With these Solterra lease deals, you get to try the latest version without a long-term commitment. Monthly payments stay reasonable, upfront costs are lower, and you can rethink your options in a few years.

Subaru

Disclaimer: This article is provided for informational purposes only. The information presented herein is based on manufacturer-provided lease offer information, which is subject to frequent change and may vary based on location, creditworthiness, and other factors. We are not a party to any lease agreements and assume no liability for the terms, conditions, availability, or accuracy of any lease offers mentioned. All terms, including but not limited to pricing, mileage allowances, and residual values, require direct verification with an authorized local OEM dealership. This article does not constitute financial advice or an endorsement of any particular lease or vehicle.

The Subaru Outback has always been a bit of an oddball – part wagon, part SUV, and all about practicality. For 2026, Subaru pushes it even further into SUV territory with a boxier, more upright look, but keeps the all-wheel drive and everyday usefulness that made it a staple. It’s still one of Subaru’s mainstays, balancing comfort, light off-road chops, and space for the family.

That makes the Outback an easy pick for leasing, especially if you want flexibility without locking yourself into a long-term purchase. Subaru’s April lease deals open the door for more people to get behind the wheel, especially if you’re eyeing the base Premium trim. If you’ve been on the fence about leasing versus buying, these offers are worth a closer look.

Subaru

The current Outback lease deals focus on the 2026 model, with a simple 36-month plan for qualified buyers. The offer runs until April 30, 2026.

Trim

Monthly Payment

Lease Term

Due at Signing

Annual Mileage

2026 Outback Premium

$365

36 months

$4,364

10,000 miles

You’ll need $3,999 down and $4,364 due at signing (before taxes and fees) to get started. With an MSRP of $36,445, this makes the Outback one of the more approachable midsize AWD leases out there right now.

Other trims, like the turbocharged XT and the off-road-ready Wilderness, have their own lease deals, but prices will change depending on what you pick. Some dealers might offer shorter leases or different mileage limits, but the 36-month plan is the main one to compare.

Subaru

The 2026 Outback takes a big step away from its wagon roots, swapping the old sloping roof for a taller, boxier shape. The payoff is clear: more headroom for passengers and extra cargo space compared to the last version.

You get two engine choices: a 2.5-liter flat-four with 180 horsepower, or a turbocharged 2.4-liter with 260 horsepower in the XT and Wilderness models. Both use a CVT and Subaru’s signature all-wheel drive, so you still get that all-weather confidence the Outback is known for.

Inside, Subaru updated the cabin with a new dashboard, better materials, and a 12.1-inch infotainment screen that’s quicker and easier to use. Wireless phone pairing, smarter voice controls, and optional premium audio round out the tech upgrades.

The Wilderness trim gives you up to 9.5 inches of ground clearance and selectable terrain modes, so the Outback can handle both weekday commutes and weekend adventures. With the turbo engine, you can tow up to 3,500 pounds, which adds even more versatility.

Subaru

The Outback has always been about versatility, and the 2026 model doubles down with a more SUV-like look and even better practicality. It’s not the sportiest in the segment, but it makes up for that with comfort, space, and features you’ll actually use every day.

Leasing really fits here. With deals like $365 a month, you can get into a well-equipped AWD Outback without tying yourself down for years. That’s a big plus, especially since rivals like the Passport usually cost more each month.

If you want a reliable, do-it-all vehicle with payments that won’t break the bank, these Outback lease deals are worth checking out. It might not be the flashiest pick, but it delivers where it counts.

Disclaimer: This article is provided for informational purposes only. The information presented herein is based on manufacturer-provided lease offer information, which is subject to frequent change and may vary based on location, creditworthiness, and other factors. We are not a party to any lease agreements and assume no liability for the terms, conditions, availability, or accuracy of any lease offers mentioned. All terms, including but not limited to pricing, mileage allowances, and residual values, require direct verification with an authorized local OEM dealership. This article does not constitute financial advice or an endorsement of any particular lease or vehicle.

Subaru is off to a slower start in 2026 than expected – a much slower start. And much of the blame is on one familiar nameplate. The Subaru Outback has undergone a major identity crisis, moving away from its long-standing wagon roots toward a more conventional SUV shape for its seventh generation. A recent Subaru sales report suggests buyers are not entirely on board.

Subaru

Since 1994, the Subaru Outback has been offered as a station wagon. While it grew in size over the years, it never abandoned its roots. In 2025, Subaru reimagined the Outback as a crossover SUV, hoping it would attract more buyers. Turns out, demand for station wagons is strong. Instead, it lost the loyal following it had gathered over more than three decades.

In March 2026, Subaru sold 10,004 units in the United States, a sharp 42.9% drop compared to the same month last year. The first quarter tells a similar story, with 27,074 units sold versus 39,934 in Q1 2025 – a 32.2% decline. While multiple factors are at play, including a $5,000 price increase, the shift away from its wagon roots is likely playing a major role.

Subaru

Subaru’s overall numbers have taken a hit as well. The brand reported 54,674 vehicles sold in March 2026, down 23.5% year over year. Looking at March sales, every single model saw a decline compared to the previous year. Surprisingly, the all-electric Solterra recorded its best month ever with 1,736 units sold, up 50.4% year over year, despite the EV tax incentive being gone. The Subaru Forester continues to lead the brand’s sales with 20,412 units sold in March, yet it too suffered a 9.6% dip, while quarterly sales grew 8.6% compared to 2025 Q1.

For the first quarter, total sales dropped 14.9% to 141,944 units. The Subaru Ascent fell 27.5% in March, while the Impreza dropped 50.9%. The Subaru WRX also slid 17.3%. But the worst of the bunch is the discontinued Legacy, which had a 83.5% drop in sales, contrasting its 2025 growth figure. Subaru still sells fewer than 400 BRZ units per month, with March sales taking a 13.8% dive, while Q1 sales stayed unchanged.

Subaru

Jeff Walters, the President and COO of Subaru of America, said the brand's March 2026 sales were "due to the March 2025 sales pull-ahead," but the scale of the decline suggests there is more going on. When a particular model's identity is its biggest strength, changing it too drastically can alienate loyal buyers. And the Outback’s transformation is living proof of that. While Subaru hoped a more SUV-like lineup would appeal to a wider audience, it seems they've shot themselves in the foot.

Last week was a big one for the automotive world, with the media preview days for the 2026 New York International Auto Show setting the scene for several new reveals, as well as providing an opportunity for attendees to see some recently revealed products in the metal for the first time. NYIAS is still happening right now, so if you're near Manhattan, you have until the 12th to visit the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center to see what's happening. If you'd rather take in the show from behind a screen, you've come to the right place for manual sports cars, affordable EVs, supercars, family SUVs, trucks, and concepts.

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At Bentley's stand was the one-off Continental Supersports Travis Pastrana, built for the wheelman's epic promo film that saw the rear-wheel-drive GT coupe rip through Bentley's factory in Crewe. Pastrana's toy got a hydraulic e-brake to more easily initiate slides, along with a unique color scheme inside and out. Bentley is normally seen as a reserved brand, but this car signifies that the British automaker is having more fun these days. But despite this being a one-off built to shred, typical Bentley quality is evident, though some of the leather hints at the abuse this car has been through.

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From Ford, we have the Bronco RTR, created in collaboration with another extreme motorsports athlete, Vaughn Gittin Jr. In the metal, this is still clearly a Bronco, but it looks and feels notably more special, with lumo yellow accents inside and out. RTR's trademark grille LEDs look a little out of place on anything but a Mustang, but we like the way this new nose grabs attention.

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To celebrate three decades of the Ford Expedition, Dearborn created the Expedition 30th Anniversary Appearance Package, and its major calling card is Blue Ember metallic tri-coat paint, a hue formerly exclusive to the Mustang Dark Horse. In person, this color shifts depending on your vantage point, and while it looks stunning under the NYIAS lights, it'll look even more premium in sunlight. We think this is a winner.

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The last product from Ford is the new Mustang Dark Horse SC, a supercharged toy for the track with well over 700 horsepower. Ford showed its latest pony car in both blue and red, with the former featuring the optional teal accents and Recaro seats of the Track Pack, as well as the optional carbon fiber bits of the Carbon Fiber Exterior Pack. With a flat-bottomed steering wheel from the Mustang GTD, deleted rear seats, and aggressive Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 R tires measuring 305/30R20 in front and 315/30R20 at the rear, plus several suspension tweaks and the option of carbon-ceramic brakes, this is going to be lots of fun to drive.

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It's not often that something cheap creates a buzz, and rarely does an EV garner so much attention, but the 2027 Chevrolet Bolt will be both electric and affordable. Despite a $27,600 base MSRP, the car looks stylish, and its interior is refreshingly simple without feeling sparse. Physical knobs and buttons mean excellent ergonomics, and the Bolt feels spacious enough. Sadly, the new Bolt won't be around for very long.

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The CX and CX.R concepts preview potential futures for the Corvette brand, and while the current C8 certainly moved into supercar territory, these concepts look more hypercar-like, with large lower side intakes and large channels over the rear haunches for air to flow through. The muscular front haunches are integrated into the clamshell front end that opens to allow ingress and egress, and while these elements may not be practical, they certainly create a wow factor that no production Corvette can match.

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GM also showed off its new Corvette Grand Sport, which gets a 6.7-liter V8, as well as some of its new Stars & Steel limited editions, including the Corvette ZR1X and Chevrolet Silverado, which celebrate America's 250th anniversary. Besides the hood decals, the black-and-white accents on the Silverado make it stand out in a subtle but stylish way. We expect to see plenty of these supercars and trucks on the roads before long, because while the performance of each is no different from the vehicles they're based on, these special editions just look damn good.

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Each of the Hyundai Motor Group's brands showed something off this year, but it was the parent company that stole the show with the Hyundai Boulder, a concept that previews both a future SUV and a future pickup. With rugged looks that move the Hyundai design language into a distinctly more American lane, production vehicles with this stylistic flavor could be smash hits.

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Kia showed off the 320-mile 2027 EV3, which the company calls a "right-sized all-electric entry SUV." Its design clearly points to an electric setup, and the unusual four-spoke wheels do too, but despite this, it's an attractive subcompact, and this should be popular when it arrives in late 2026, so long as pricing isn't too steep. If you don't like EVs, Kia showed off another little crossover, too.

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Now with Telluride-inspired design, the 2027 Kia Seltos is more serious than ever, and although it's no off-roader, it looks like it could be, which is exactly what buyers in this segment like. Up close, the new Seltos is certainly not as imposing as the SUV its looks are influenced by, but it's no shrinking violet either. The segmented front lighting and silver lower fascia accents, as well as the bulky wheel arch surrounds, contribute to a rugged look, while at the back, a connected taillight bar creates an impression of width. A low tailgate opening means packing groceries and luggage will be easy.

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Genesis showed off two stunning creations, the first of which is the G90 Wingback concept. Although that's all it is for now, Genesis may build this stunning wagon, albeit likely in low numbers. In the metal, all the performance-minded details become even more obvious. Stacked tailpipes, a large diffuser panel, an integrated ducktail spoiler, a significant roof spoiler, vents aft of the front wheels, roof fins, and an aggressive front fascia with large intakes and canards on each end—all of these elements make the wagon stand out in the best of ways.

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The final Hyundai product is the GV60 Magma, an electric crossover that will reach American dealers with over 600 horsepower by the end of this year. While it would be easy to dismiss this as just a luxurious Ioniq 5 N, it's more than that, and the quality of its cabin hints at just how much more accomplished it aims to be, while that flicked rear spoiler will surely help this performance EV attract loads of attention in the Target parking lot. Hopefully, Genesis will give us pricing and a launch date soon.

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Something not many people will have expected to see at this year's NYIAS is the latest creation from Karma Automotive, the Amaris. It's a low-slung extended-range EV that blends the company's older designs with a contemporary look and feel. Its headlights call to mind the Fisker Karma (Karma was born from the ashes of Henrik Fisker's other failed attempt at creating a car company), but its cabin is pure Lexus—just look at those seats and center console. Sure, the steering wheel is a little bland despite its two-tone construction, looking like a non-M Sport BMW wheel, but overall, it's got a luxury feel. This 700-hp, $200k grand tourer may only appeal to the few, but perhaps Karma can succeed through exclusivity.

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One of our favorites at the show was the 2027 Nissan Z Nismo, which can now be had with a six-speed manual transmission and gets GT-R-derived brakes as standard. We go into more detail about its look and feel here, but in a nutshell, this sports car has plenty of tuner flavor from the factory, and though the manual will be tough to order, we're just glad it exists. Sadly, Nissan didn't exhibit the non-Nismo Z in its stunning new Shinkai Green Pearl paint, but we're confident it'll look incredible.

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The new 2027 Infiniti QX65 has plenty going for it, but one of the biggest stand-out features is its new Sunfire Red paint, which contains real gold, making the FX-inspired design even more attractive. As we walked around this new crossover, the way this paint looked continuously changed, sometimes looking more red and other times seeming almost too gold-tinged. When this isn't under bright LEDs but softer sunlight, the paint will take on a richness befitting its BMW and Genesis targets.

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The only Porker we came across was the Porsche 911 GT3 RS with Manthey Racing kit, and it's even more intimidating in person, with a deep chin spoiler, aero covers on the rear wheels, motorsport-style decals, and a gargantuan rear wing with a fin. This fin draws the eye to the rear window, which is blanked off. Curiously, while the exterior shouts about downforce and performance, the cabin has relatively simple buckets, not the carbon-backed shells normally seen in a GT3 RS. Balance...

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Stellantis brought a few products to NYIAS, including the refreshed 2027 Chrysler Pacifica minivan. Along with a redesigned and thoroughly modern front end, the new Pacifica also boasts a mildly revised rear end with a height-adjustable tailgate. Sadly, Stellantis didn't bring a Pacifica with the new Olive Green paint, but this red is pretty attractive. Good enough to continue the Pacifica's run as the best-selling minivan in the U.S.? We'll see.

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Stellantis offers a more eye-catching take on celebrating 250 years of American independence than GM, and while the Dodge Durango GT America250 at the top of the above gallery is fairly subdued with just stripes and badges, there's also the option of massive U.S. flag decals on the sides and hoods of the Durango, the Ram 1500, and the Jeep Wrangler. These will be exceptionally easy to spot in a crowded Walmart parking lot.

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No less impactful is the Ram 1500 SRT TRX Bloodshot Night Edition, which heralds the return of both the SRT badge and the 6.2-liter supercharged HEMI V8, which now produces up to 777 hp. Sure, the graphics may be a little gaudy, but with an obscene amount of power, an obnoxious look simply makes sense.

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Subaru presented its new Getaway SUV, a three-row EV based on the new Toyota Highlander but with even more power. 420 hp makes this the most powerful production Subaru yet, but what about non-production vehicles?

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On the extreme opposite end of the spectrum is another Travis Pastrana plaything, the custom Subaru Brataroo 9500 Turbo. Pastrana used this in the latest Gymkhana film, shredding his way across the Australian outback, and with 670 hp and a 9,500-rpm redline, it not only sounds epic but turns rubber to smoke with ease. And with a pair of rear-facing bucket seats in the bed, Pastrana can thrill his most fearless friends as he sends the baby pickup sideways. This thing looks insane from every angle, and we can't wait to see what's next for the Gymkhana series.

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Nestled downstairs and away from the main show, we found a selection of Toyota and Lexus drift toys, including a Trueno with a big-turbo 2JZ engine swap, an Aristo, an SC, and an IS 500 F Sport. There was also a big-turbo A90 GR Supra, a GR Supra with enough aero to change wind patterns, and a clean A80 Supra that was very subtly modified (if you ignore the large rear wing). Many of these cars had bits from TOM'S on them, making it feel like we were in a JDM tuner hall at SEMA. There's clearly still a lot of enthusiasm for Japanese cars here in America, and we hope Toyota continues to introduce exciting cars for many years to come, especially ones that respond eagerly to tuning.

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Finally, we got a good look at the new Volkswagen Atlas and Atlas Cross Sport. The latter is not much different than what we've seen from VW in this segment before, but the bigger Atlas has a front end that is particularly eye-catching. The front fenders flow into narrow headlights that exist on two planes, with the upper section framed by thin LED DRLs. Along with the segmented front end that does away with a large central intake grille, this look seems destined to help gas Veedubs become more homogenous with future EVs. The 2027 Atlas is also an inch longer, so it should be more competitive in America, as long as the increased space and performance (now 282 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque) don't mean a major price increase. The new Atlas arrives in the fall, and pricing should precede its launch by a week or two.

Related: Volkswagen Is Finally Bringing Hybrids to Its Biggest SUVs

That wraps up our coverage of the 2026 New York International Auto Show; what's your favorite car from this list? Let us know in the comments below.

For those who love cars, there’s nothing quite like Gymkhana. It exists in that space beyond daily driving, where car control becomes spectacle, and consequences feel optional. It’s the kind of thing you watch knowing full well you’d never attempt any of it yourself.

The Subaru Brataroo 9500 Turbo is the newest headliner in the series, and it showed up at the New York International Auto Show. Seeing it in person is a different experience. It’s familiar, but not in the way a showroom car is. It’s more like finally seeing something you’ve only watched online.

It has a real presence, not just because of how it looks, but because of what it stands for. This isn’t just another custom build. It’s part of a line of cars that shaped car culture for people who grew up watching early YouTube videos.

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Up close, the Brataroo looks like a classic Subaru BRAT that’s been turned up to eleven. The shape is still there, but every detail has been exaggerated.

The widebody stance stands out right away. It sits low, with big arches that just manage to cover the motorsport wheels. The paintwork nods to classic Subaru colors, but the gradient and graphics make it look modern, almost like a concept car that made it to the real world.

The aero is hard to miss. The front is packed with layers, louvers, and sharp edges that look built for function, not just for show. It has the kind of organized chaos you find in serious time-attack cars.

At the back, it gets even wilder. The rear wing is huge, even compared to most race cars, and it sits high above what used to be the bed. The bed itself isn’t just for show anymore. It’s now a stripped-down extension of the cockpit, full of carbon fiber and exposed hardware built for racing.

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Beneath all the visual upgrades, the mechanicals are just as serious. The Brataroo runs a turbocharged 2.0-liter Subaru boxer engine, tuned for 670 horsepower and 680 lb-ft of torque, spinning up to 9,500 rpm (hence, the name).

Power goes to all four wheels through a six-speed sequential gearbox, paired with proper racing differentials. It’s built to take abuse, which makes sense given what Gymkhana demands.

Most of the body is carbon fiber, which keeps the weight down and lets the designers go more aggressive with the shape. The aero parts are functional. The front louvers can be adjusted to manage airflow and balance, and the rear wings can be swapped out for either more downforce or a looser setup.

On paper, it sounds like an odd mix, but in person, it makes sense. The Brataroo isn’t a restoration or a restomod. It’s a new take that knows what made the original special, then pushes it way past what anyone expected.

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The 2027 Subaru Getaway is the brand’s first proper three-row electric SUV, unveiled at the New York International Auto Show, and we got the chance to see it in the metal. As Subaru’s most ambitious EV yet, it has the proportions to back that: it’s big, unapologetically family-focused, and clearly designed to replace the role of the Subaru Ascent in an electrified future, only now with far more power and tech baked in.

This is Subaru leaning hard into electrification without abandoning its identity. Standard all-wheel drive, real ground clearance, and usable third-row space signal that the Getaway isn’t just another soft-roader EV. It’s positioned as a proper adventure-ready people mover that can haul seven and still sprint like a performance car.

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At launch, the Getaway packs a dual-motor setup producing 420 horsepower, making it the most powerful production Subaru ever built. That translates to a claimed 0-60 mph time of under five seconds, Subaru territory that used to belong exclusively to icons like the Subaru WRX STI.

It rides on a shared architecture co-developed with Toyota, reportedly related to the upcoming Highlander EV, rather than Subaru’s traditional Subaru Global Platform. A 95.8-kWh battery delivers over 300 miles of range, with 150 kW fast-charging capability and a native NACS port. A smaller 77-kWh battery option is expected later, but AWD remains standard across the board.

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The Getaway looks like a natural evolution of Subaru’s rugged design language: chunky proportions, upright stance, and just enough futuristic surfacing to remind you it’s electric. It doesn’t chase the hyper-minimalist EV aesthetic that many EVs seem to adhere to. Instead, it feels familiar, almost reassuring, especially for buyers stepping out of an Outback or Ascent.

Inside, you get true three-row usability, with available captain’s chairs, one-touch second-row access, and a power-folding third row. Subaru claims even six-foot passengers can fit across all rows, which we have found to be mostly true.

And yes – it’s true. This is officially Subaru’s most powerful vehicle to date. Not a halo WRX. Not an STI. An electric family SUV. That shift says everything about where the brand is headed. The cabin mirrors that philosophy too: functional, spacious, tech-forward, but not overly flashy. Think durable materials, logical layout, and just enough digital integration to feel modern without alienating loyalists.

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Subaru didn’t build the Getaway to chase Nürburgring lap times or revive the STI badge. They built it to solve a very modern problem: how do you make a practical, family-ready EV without losing the brand’s core DNA?

The answer is this. It’s quick, yes, but more importantly, it’s usable, capable, and thoughtfully engineered. It’s not a Subaru WRX. It’s not an STI, but it doesn’t need to be. For today’s value-obsessed buyer, someone who wants space, range, capability, and just enough performance, the Getaway might be Subaru’s most relevant vehicle in decades.

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These two compact SUVs are like Boy Scouts that just arrived at camp. They're dressed up in their patches and sashes, ready for whatever the great outdoors can throw at them. But the 2026 Subaru Forester Wilderness and the 2026 Toyota RAV4 Woodland attend summer camps on opposite ends of the lake. The RAV4's nature retreat has newer amenities, intricate low-ropes courses, a phone in the director's lodge to call home when feeling lonesome, and an in-house guidance counsellor. The Forester's campsite is a bit grittier than that—the ghost stories told at night are far raunchier, and some of the other kids even have tattoos that their parents haven't yet discovered. The kids at the RAV4's campground are there to challenge themselves. The kids at the Forester's campground are there to get away from the real world.

The 2026 Subaru Forester Wilderness and 2026 Toyota RAV4 Woodland both tap into the same reality-abandonment outdoor fantasy, but they do so with entirely unique understandings of what that looks like and different opinions on how much they actually enjoy getting covered in muck and dirt. One leans harder into authentic trail-forward substance, whereas the other is more polished on the road, more efficient, and probably more honest about the sort of life most of its owners will actually lead, even if it is a more timid one than its rugged furnishings would suggest.

Cole Attisha

Toyota's 2026 RAV4 Woodland comes standard with all-wheel drive and the brand's fifth-generation hybrid system, good for 236 combined horsepower. Toyota rates it at an estimated 41 mpg city, 36 highway, and 39 combined in Woodland form, which is a very healthy number for something pitched as the more rugged member of the RAV4 family. It also has a base MSRP of $39,900 before destination fees. A 324-horsepower plug-in hybrid version is available as well, but it runs north of $45,000 and isn't as easily comparable to the Forester Wilderness.

From behind the wheel, the RAV4 Woodland feels more immediate in everything it does. There's less hesitation, less grumbling, and quicker response, whether it be from the throttle or the steering wheel. That largely comes down to the fact that Toyota's new-generation RAV4 lineup is now built entirely around electrification, making even its more adventure-coded trim feel pretty civilized in daily use. Around town, the Woodland feels more alert and natural. Even if that essence diverges somewhat from the promises of an "all-terrain-ified" crossover, for all the off-road cosplay in this part of the market, most of these vehicles will spend the bulk of their lives doing very ordinary things. School runs, grocery shopping, long freeway jaunts with a bike rack mounted on the rear or a Thule box strapped to the roof—maybe even both.

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Cole Attisha

Subaru gives the Wilderness a naturally aspirated 2.5-litre boxer four making 180 horsepower and 178 lb-ft of torque, paired with a CVT. Fuel economy is 24 mpg city, 28 mpg highway, and 26 mpg combined, and pricing starts at $38,385. On the road, the Forester Wilderness is not exactly unpleasant, but it trades far more of its road manners for trail readiness than the RAV4 does. It is comfortable, predictable, and reassuring in the sort of old-world Subaru way that's turned people who regularly wear fleece sweaters into unwavering brand loyalists for years. But next to the Toyota, it feels more mechanical, for better or for worse. It's more earnest, perhaps, but it still feels analog to a degree that can feel somewhat coarse. You can certainly feel the extra effort in how it builds speed, and the CVT still has that familiar rubber-band quality that makes enthusiastic acceleration feel more like a request than a command, whereas Toyota's eCVT is far smoother in operation.

The Subaru drives like it's been engineered with capability first and pleasantry second, whereas the Toyota drives like it's been engineered with its weekday duties at the forefront of its mission, but with some enhancements to better serve the odd weekend adventure out of town with its Woodland extras. The bottom line is: the Forester's the one you'll want to drive off-road, but the RAV4's the one you'd want to use in the city.

Cole Attisha

Unlike many rugged-ified trims in this segment, the Forester Wilderness comes across with an overall attitude that suggests its readiness for adventure is its paramount priority, with all else integrated only to better serve that mission. Whereas almost every SUV in this segment feels as if it's convenience-first, capability-second, Subaru takes the opposite approach here. Subaru gives it a class-leading 9.3 inches of ground clearance, standard Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive, dual-function X-Mode, standard front underbody protection, improved approach, departure, and breakover angles, and a 3,500-pound towing capacity.

Cole Attisha

The 2026 Toyota RAV4 Woodland does a far better job of delivering off-road capability than its previous generation did, but it still trades some of the Forester's ruggedness for city-friendliness. Still, the Woodland trim gets a more thoughtful bundle of upgrades than a lot of “rugged” compact SUVs do, unlike in previous years, where all you really got was a set of thicker tires and some funky new badges. Over a standard RAV4, it adds all-terrain tires, a standard tow hitch with a wiring harness, Woodland-branded raised roof rails with crossbars, integrated Rigid Industries LED fog lights, a unique satin-black front grille treatment, black exterior accents, all-weather floor and cargo mats, and standard AWD. It also gets a bump in ground clearance to 8.5 inches, versus 8.1 inches for much of the rest of the RAV4 lineup, and its maximum towing capacity climbs to 3,500 pounds.

Subaru

The Forester Wilderness has the better cabin for people who plan to use it like a piece of outdoor equipment. It gets StarTex water-resistant upholstery, which is to an SUV cabin what a GoreTex rain jacket is to your skin, standard EyeSight driver-assistance tech, and the upright, visibility-first layout Subaru has long retained. Subaru also says the Forester offers more total cargo space than the RAV4, with up to 74.4 cubic feet available with the rear seats folded, which tracks with the vehicle's boxier, more function-led shape. With the rear seats up, however, that number drops to 29.6 cubic feet—noticeably less than the RAV4's 37.8 cubic feet rating here. If you plan on car camping, the Forester is the better choice. If you'll be stuffing groceries in the trunk with your kids in the back seat, the RAV4 takes it.

The Forester's interior feels as if it were designed to be well-used; seriously abused, even. You can let your mud-splattered dogs jump around with glee on the rear bench seat while sticking their noses out of open windows, throw your icy skis in the trunk, and proudly roll the windows down even when it's raining. Nothing about it feels precious—the Forester's cabin is designed to suck it up and take whatever you can throw at it. Inside, the Forester offers 43.3 inches of front legroom and 39.4 inches in the rear, along with 57.7 inches of front shoulder room and 56.7 inches in back. Total passenger volume lands at 106.6 cubic feet.

Toyota USA

The Toyota goes in a slightly different direction, though it's not as far off from the Subaru as you may think. Its cabin feels more contemporary, a bit slicker, and a little more considered from a general-market perspective. The new 2026 RAV4 gets a standard 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster across the lineup, a redesigned center console that can detach its lid and serve as a notepad (though I predict many of these will go missing over the years, and owners will be left without a central armrest), newly available 5G-based multimedia tech, and a more modern dashboard layout overall. Woodland also gets trim-specific touches that make it feel distinct without turning the whole interior into an REI catalogue.

Cole Attisha

In terms of dimensions, Toyota delivers 41.0 inches of front legroom, 37.8 inches of rear legroom, 57.0 inches of front shoulder room, and 56.4 inches of rear shoulder room. With the rear seats up, the RAV4 boasts 37.8 cubic feet of cargo space—much more than the Subaru—but just 70.4 cubic feet with the rear seats folded away. Total passenger volume lands at 98.9 cubic feet. As far as cabin comfort and convenience go, the Forester beats the RAV4 in almost every spatial metric aside from cargo capacity behind the rear seats.

Cole Attisha

The Forester Wilderness is the more convincing visual statement in terms of toughness. It's clear from every angle that form follows function here, full stop. Subaru's Wilderness treatment remains one of the few ruggedized design packages in the industry that doesn't immediately come across like when a market analyst sports an Arc'teryx coat and a Patagonia fleece just to go to work in an office high-rise. The raised stance, copper accents, extra cladding, underbody protection, and generally upright proportions all align functionally with the vehicle's actual capabilities. It looks more at home off the beaten path than it does parked in a garage.

Cole Attisha

The RAV4 Woodland is perhaps better-looking in a more conventional sense. Toyota's 2026 redesign is sharper, more modern, and still flattering without overselling itself. Woodland's unique grille, black trim, matte gray wheels, raised roof rails, and Rigid Industries LED fog lights make it look far tougher than the standard RAV4, but it still feels more like a stylish compact SUV first and a backwoods brawler second. Toyota has essentially split the difference between image and usability, and that will probably make it more broadly appealing. So this really comes down to whether you want authenticity or versatility.

Cole Attisha

The Forester Wilderness starts at $38,385. The RAV4 Woodland starts at $39,900. So the Toyota asks for about $1,500 more up front. But it also brings 236 combined horsepower, a standard hybrid powertrain, and a huge fuel-economy edge at 41/36/39 versus the Subaru's 24/28/26. Both can tow up to 3,500 pounds. That makes the Toyota the smarter buy for many people. It is quicker, more efficient, and more pleasant in everyday use, while still offering enough real hardware to justify the Woodland badge. The fact that it comes with all-terrain tires, a tow package, extra clearance, roof rails with crossbars, all-weather mats, and off-road-oriented fog lights as standard equipment further strengthens its case.

But the Subaru has a strong value case of its own, because it is not charging you for an image alone. The extra ground clearance makes a huge difference, but only if you plan to take advantage of it. Underbody protection matters, but only if you plan to use it. The shorter final drive matters, but only if you'll actually need it to get you out of a sticky situation one day. With the Forester, it feels like you are paying for real substance, not just a few nice pieces of fashionable kit, but I suppose that's only justified if you're doing so for a genuine purpose, not just for outdoorsy roleplay. So, no, one vehicle doesn't necessarily outvalue the other; it's simply a matter of each making sense for a different kind of owner.

Cole Attisha

The 2026 Toyota RAV4 Woodland is the one I would recommend to most people, and not because it is more exciting or more romantic. It absolutely isn't. What it is, however, is more calculated. But it's calculated in a way that makes it so appealing in a broad, focus-group-friendly sense that it loses much of the imperfect, quirky humanness it could otherwise have gained over more cut-and-dry RAV4 trims. Still, it is undoubtedly more complete as an everyday vehicle. It feels better dialled for the reality of modern ownership and modern life, is easier to use in traffic, is more efficient, and is more honest about what most buyers are actually going to do with a crossover like this. It is simply the smarter pick for more people.

But the more interesting answer is still the 2026 Subaru Forester Wilderness. If you actually spend time off-pavement, if your weekends will involve the occasional rainstorm or blizzard, nauseating elevation, and tough terrain that make lesser crossovers feel brittle and ready to fall apart, the Subaru is the one with a stronger sense of purpose. It doesn't just wear the Boy Scout costume better; the RAV4 certainly has the neater neckerchief. But it understands the assignment more authentically—it's covered in scrapes and bruises, its shirt is untucked and wrinkled, and it has a unrelenting, mud-eating grin on its face.

Ultimately, this comparison doesn't really come down to which one is more capable in some abstract or unrealistic sense. It ultimately comes down to which one is more capable of serving the life you actually lead—or at least the life you are close enough to leading that buying one of these doesn't exactly count as self-deceit. The Toyota is the better all-rounder here, but the Subaru is the better specialist.

The most powerful production Subaru ever has arrived as the 2027 Subaru Getaway, a three-row electric SUV that shares its underpinnings with the Toyota Highlander EV. But while the Toyota produces 388 horsepower, Subaru's take on the electric family SUV puts out an impressive 420 hp. That power goes to all four corners (19-inch wheels in front and 20s at the back) through a dual-motor setup, regardless of trim, and enables 0-60 mph in under five seconds. It also allows the Getaway to tow up to 3,500 lbs, and when the 95.8 kWh battery is depleted, a standard NACS-compatible charging port can refill it at up to 150 kW, enough to go from 10-80 percent in around 30 minutes. When full, Subaru claims over 300 miles of range on a single charge.

Subaru

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Subaru says it chose this name to "highlight the SUV's family-friendly versatility and utility," and with seven seats and 8.3 inches of ground clearance (plus Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive with X-Mode), it should be a decent companion for adventures. Of course, not everyone needs that many seats, so while the Getaway can be had with a second-row bench seat, the standard configuration has captain's chairs in the second row. Either way, the area behind the third row delivers 15.9 cubic feet of cargo volume. Subaru says six-footers will fit in any row comfortably, and when that space is needed to carry cargo, the second-row seats fold at the touch of a button. Fold the third row and keep the second row in place, and Subaru boasts that you get more space than in a Kia EV9 (one of the best vehicles in this segment), with 45.6 cubes behind the captain's chairs or bench.

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All seats get cup and bottle holders alongside USB-C charging ports, and the three-zone climate control has dedicated third-row vents to keep everyone comfortable. Speaking of, Subaru provides heated front seats as standard, while some trims will also get heated second- and third-row seats and ventilated front and second-row seats, along with a heated steering wheel. The SUV should also feel spacious, thanks to the availability of a fixed panoramic sunroof.

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Up front, a 14-inch touchscreen is accompanied by a 12.3-inch driver cluster and brings wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. A pair of wireless smartphone chargers is also available, and the Getaway offers customizable ambient lighting. As usual, Subaru's EyeSight driver aids are included, with pre-collision braking, blind-spot monitoring, lane departure warning, emergency stop assist, lane-change assist, adaptive cruise control, and more. Because the SUV is so long, it also makes sense to include a digital rearview mirror, though this won't be available on every trim.

Subaru's fourth EV (following the Solterra, Uncharted, and Trailseeker) arrives at the end of 2026, and in 2027, a standard-range version with a smaller 77 kWh battery will arrive. As with most new cars revealed in New York this week, more specific details, trim levels, and pricing will follow closer to the launch.

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Those looking for a compact crossover that can handle a bit of off-road effort and return strong fuel economy figures may want to take a look at the latest offering from Subaru, the 2027 Forester Wilderness Hybrid. It's the first Wilderness hybrid yet, and although Subaru's hasn't announced estimates EPA figures at this time, the automaker says it will deliver up to 25 percent better fuel economy. We expect the numbers to be similar to those of the U.S.-built 2026 Forester Hybrid AWD, which returns figures of 35/34/35 mpg on the city/highway/combined cycles. While we wait for Subaru to paint the full picture, let's take a look at what we do know so far.

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Like the existing Subaru Forester Wilderness, the hybrid has 9.3 inches of ground clearance (plus approach, breakover, and departure angles of 23.5, 20.6, and 25.5 degrees, respectively), upgraded suspension, 17-inch matte black Wilderness wheels wrapped in all-terrain Yokohama Geolandar tires, and Subaru's famous symmetrical all-wheel-drive system with X-Mode and hill descent control. In the hybrid, the 2.5-liter boxer engine is supplemented by electric motors and a lithium-ion battery to deliver a total of 194 horsepower to the ground through a CVT, up from 180 hp in the regular Forester Wilderness.

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Inside, you get a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster and an 11.6-inch touchscreen display for infotainment (which works okay but not great), model-specific gray StarTex upholstery, and Subaru's EyeSight advanced driver aids. Orange/copper accents on the steering wheel and gear lever (matching those on the body) and embossed headrests help the Wilderness stand out from other Forester models, though that will already be obvious from the several badges on the body and the 800-pound (static) roof rails. While we're on the subject of practicality, the cargo area has 27.5 cubic feet of volume with the rear seats in place, and with them folded forward, over 69 cubes, accessed through a power tailgate. Remarkably, these figures are the same as the non-hybrid, so Subaru's engineers clearly know how to play Tetris.

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The center touchscreen on the hybrid version of the off-road-biased Forester provides wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, which is enjoyed through an 11-speaker Harman Kardon sound system with a 576-watt equivalent amplifier. The configurable dash display has Apple Maps integration, though native navigation is also included, and the aforementioned EyeSight suite includes emergency lane-keep assist, lane-change assist, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control with lane centering, emergency stop assist, and a few other safety features. The Forester is one of the safest vehicles on the market, and this hybrid version should be just as trustworthy.

More information, including pricing, torque figures, EPA estimates, and more, will arrive closer to the Forester Wilderness Hybrid's on-sale date, scheduled for sometime late in 2026.

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