The steering wheel of the Subaru Uncharted is surprisingly impressive.

      Adam Ismail

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      Over the years, numerous automakers have toyed with the very idea of a steering wheel. Yokes and unconventional shapes have become quite common, despite no one ever truly requesting them. So, when I first encountered the quasi-hexagonal wheel in the Subaru Uncharted that I tested last week, I was quite skeptical. However, I eventually realized that the usual frustrations I experience with non-traditional steering devices did not apply here. Surprisingly, I found myself enjoying maneuvering the 4,500-pound electric vehicle with this steering wheel.

      To be clear, my appreciation for this wheel is not solely due to its shape. The most favorable thing I can say about it is that I didn’t dislike it nearly as much as I had anticipated, and it wasn’t much of an adjustment, unlike the flatter wheel in the Lincoln Nautilus I tried a few years back. I experienced a curious sense of precision when gripping the wheel by one of its “corners,” combined with a very tight steering ratio and minimal effort needed to turn it.

      That being said, I prefer the 9-and-3 grip over the 10-and-2 position, which is how I typically handled the Uncharted, as the wheel’s design suits that grip well. Subaru (and/or Toyota, which offers the same vehicle as the C-HR) has also placed numerous large physical buttons on either side of the center for easy access. And honestly, this is why I really developed an affection for this steering wheel.

      These buttons are almost comically large and arranged in an intuitive manner. The volume control resembles a rocker switch. Skipping tracks is accomplished with the left and right arrows. (I recognize that may seem like the most ordinary concept, but apparently, it’s not if you're looking at the Cadillac Optiq I’m currently testing!) The directional pad, used to modify the display on the small digital instrument cluster positioned far away in this car, is equally spacious, and I was genuinely impressed by how easy it was to use without any learning curve.

      To be fair, this is a phenomenon that is often experienced more by automotive journalists than by the general public. We tend to critique the subtle differences in manufacturers' infotainment systems, ergonomics, or software logic since we frequently switch between different vehicles. Most consumers simply buy a car and learn how to operate it. Nevertheless, I believe that sensible design and engineering are ideals worth striving for, and despite the unconventional shape of the Uncharted’s steering wheel, it functions remarkably well.

      There’s another aspect of its design that I love: the paddles. In the context of Subaru and Toyota's electric vehicles, the regenerative braking strength can be adjusted off-throttle, offering four levels of intensity. I understand that opinions on regenerative braking vary, but as someone who dislikes one-pedal driving, I appreciate the control you have over the car's dynamics, and I find the process easy to use.

      Typically, EVs require navigating through menus to adjust this setting, but Subaru has conveniently placed it right within the driver’s reach, making it simple to adapt the vehicle’s performance to any driving scenario. Honestly, this is how all electric vehicles should operate.

      My only complaint is that the Uncharted does not remember the level of regenerative braking you selected during your last drive, defaulting to the lowest setting each time you use the car. While this doesn't really inconvenience me, as I'm not fond of aggressive energy recovery, it seems practical that the vehicle could retain that preference.

      Overall, though, I was genuinely impressed by the Uncharted’s steering wheel. It appears foreign and high-tech, yet it's quite user-friendly, and I wish more EVs were developed in this manner—like traditional cars. Too many manufacturers become trapped in the notion that electric vehicles must resemble futuristic machines with complex controls and user interfaces, which ultimately deters potential customers and frustrates those who take the leap. Many traits that make a gas-powered or hybrid vehicle enjoyable also apply to electric ones, and it's this principle that has generally left me pleased with the Uncharted. Stay tuned for my full review in the upcoming weeks.

      Is there a modern steering wheel that you particularly enjoy? Share your thoughts in the comments!