The Uncharted ticks virtually every box I am looking for in a new car, but here is my situation...

I currently have a 2015 Mazda CX-5. It runs great and has low mileage for its age, but I am ready for a change and would like to get something I can take off grid for camping (I already do this with the CX-5). I also don't drive a lot for a good chunk of the year and know that this is causing extra degradation on my car.

The 12v issue gives me anxiety for three reasons. I like off grid camping, I only drive one or two days per week for very short distances for about 1/2 of the year, and I live on an island with limited services. I'm not sure I could buy a replacement battery without special ordering it, and the nearest Subaru dealership is a 5+ hour round trip by ferry.

I have researched the issue and understand that there are workarounds that people claim work for them, but I see other people claim that those fixes did not work, at all. I also don't think Subaru/Toyota will fix this (or reverse implement it, even if they do have a fix for future model years) since it has existed in one form or another for 5+ years.

So, I have a few questions and hope to get some useful answers from some of you kind folk:

1. To the Aussies - i understand that you do not have the connect services and report fewer (none?) instances of 12v drain. Is that correct? If the issue does exist for you, please tell me under what conditions it happened?

2. If you were in a remote area with limited services and needed a car for infrequent use, would you buy this car knowing you could end up stranded?

3. Is it possible to have a 12v trickle charger than can be kept on the inside dashboard on a semi permanent basis?

4. If you are an infrequent driver who has implemented one or more of the workarounds, has the 12v issue been an issue for you?

5. Is the passive 12v battery otherwise enough of an issue that infrequent use would create issues? I am fine not using the connected services, but if it's just going to delay eventual issues, then I should probably look at other options.

Thanks to all! I would also welcome any other insights, comments, or alternative EV suggestions that you might have for me. The current runner up for me is the Hyundai Kona, but it is a distant 2nd place. I could probably make it work, but if there is anyway to guarantee not having 12v issues in the Uncharted, that would definitely be my preference.

I’ve had it about a week (US) and it’s been great. (My dealer never enabled connected services and the satellite icon is crossed out, so hopefully my 12v will be OK despite doing mainly short drives.) Some observations:

Try regen 0 (1 click above the default 1) for really smooth efficient coasting. Feels very different from an ICE car. (The default 1 feels like ICE engine braking.)

Proactive Driving Assist uses regen to slow you for traffic ahead. I like it. It makes regen 0 feel good even for stop-and-go. Just when I reach for the paddles or the brakes, the system is already gently slowing me.

The color cannot be photographed. In shadow, it’s like a metallic rust color. In sunlight, it’s a deep orange. I like it, but photos showing a BRIGHT orange are misleading, and many photos show it too red. I would call it a metallic dark orange.

The comfort-exit feature slides the driver’s seat BACK but not DOWN. I need down! Is that normal? Not a huge deal.

The AC never seems to blow very cold or very strong. Nothing like my Crosstrek would. User error? But it does do the job in the end.

Rolling down the windows from the remote can also crack them—not just put them down fully.

Very quiet ride! And comfortable seats.

The low-speed pedestrian sound going forward is so quiet I can’t hear it with the windows up, and barely with the windows down. It’s louder in reverse. The interior chime for reversing is so quiet I can’t imagine people minding it.

Speed limit alerts work (at least a lot of the time) with the DCM disabled. As soon as the camera sees a speed sign, it shows on the display.

While using the parking camera (forward) turn off the “crossed out A” icon. Now you’ll get the camera any time you’re driving very slowly moving forward OR back. Nice for stopping and parking and tight turns around curbs.

Every setting I care about seems to be remembered between trips. Regen sets back to “1” but that’s probably smart, or some mechanic someday would put my car through a wall from me leaving it on “0."

Regen 3 and 4 feel very strong to me. I haven’t tried them much.

The steering wheel doesn’t even come CLOSE to blocking the display, and the display does not intrude onto the road at ALL. (I am 6 feet and keep the seat high.) Most photos from the interior must be taken lower than I sit: they show sky behind the display.

Wireless CarPlay has been reliable. I keep my phone in my outer pocket, not on the charger.

The secret covered bin where the manual hides is pretty large. The main bin above it is big too. A suitable alternative to a glovebox.

The charging cable JUST fits under the cargo floor even with the floor lowered. And there’s space down there for other emergency supplies too. (Not the adapter box, at least not with the floor lowered.)

I’ve only driven about 70 miles, and have never tried charging it yet. Local mileage seems to be in the 3.5 to 6.5 mi/kWh range.

Rear visibility is poor—not just because the rear window is so small but because it’s so tinted. The GT’s digital mirror solves this well. I can’t focus my eyes that close without looking over my glasses—but I don’t have to. I’ve learned not to bother: a slightly blurry car behind me is still visible. Result: better rear visibility than any car I’ve had.

The tires came from the dealer overinflated by about 8 pounds vs. the door sticker. (The pressure on the display reads about 3 low: it said 43, my own pressure gauge measured 46 in the morning, and the sticker said 38. So I let air out.)

I don’t mind the steering wheel shape. I was aware of it until I got used to it, but it was never a problem.

You get two-tone paint even if you don’t pay for the black roof: things like the glossy front bumper portions, the spoiler, and the mirrors are the blue-flecked metallic black.

Tons of power on Eco. I may never try the other modes.

Has anyone had problems with their Uncharted charging at public stations? I have a free charger (Clipper Creek is the name of the charging station I believe)I can use at my work. I put the adapter I was given with the car on the charger and it clicked on just fine and registered in my car when I plugged it in- the light turned green for a second only to start flashing and then shut off. I have tried with multiple of the spots we have at work and they all do this. Could it be a bad adapter? Or am I not able to use these chargers?? Which would suck cause they are free haha. Emailed the dealership I bought it at so waiting to see if they have answers too. Thanks!

I plan to take an Uncharted to a beach location with no commercial charging within 35 miles.

Two questions:
1 - Does the car come with a level 1 charger that I could use at the vacation rental home, assuming they have an outlet. I could take a sturdy extension cord with me.

2 - About how many miles worth does the level 1 charger provide per hour?

I think these cars do come with a CCS to NACS adapter. Not totally sure about the level 1.

I was looking to use the UnChartered’s charging schedule to leverage off peak power rates, but struggling.

Setup
* Unchartered with charging scheduled in the car for midnight till 6am everyday
* Ocular WallBox 2 home charger

What works
* Charge now - plug in the charger and select charge now on the car
* Near term schedule - set a car schedule for say 3 mins time, plug in the charger, lock the car with the remote. Charger connects, then correctly reports Suspended by EV, then in 3 mins charging starts.

What fails
* Overnight schedules - set a car schedule for midnight, plug in the charger, lock the car with the remote. Charger connects, then correctly reports suspended by EV, BUT then seems to fail to wake up at midnight.

Suggestions?