All-New, All-Electric 2026 Subaru Uncharted vs. the Competition
Superior range, charging speed, performance and all-terrain capabilities are what make the Uncharted a Subaru.
On July 17, 2025, Subaru pulled the wraps from the all-new 2026 Subaru Uncharted, a fully electric SUV aimed at the compact crossover market, one of the hottest vehicle segments in the North American market. The Uncharted is the third electric SUV in the Subaru lineup, including the Solterra, on sale since 2022, and the Trailseeker, which goes on sale in early 2026.
Specifications are forthcoming, but there’s a lot we know about the Uncharted and how it compares to other popular compact crossovers powered by electricity.
The vehicle’s primary competition comes from the Kia Niro EV and the Hyundai Kona Electric. Let’s take a look at how the Uncharted stacks up to those two EVs:
Subaru Uncharted: Superior Range
In an ICE-powered vehicle, few think about the distance you can travel before needing to refuel during daily travels. But in the case of EVs, the estimated range before needing to recharge is one of the key performance indicators.
For some EV consumers, off-road performance can be less of a selling point than range. To appeal to range-conscious and adventure-minded customers, Subaru offers the Uncharted in both front-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive trim levels.
The single front-wheel drive trim, the Uncharted Premium, provides a maximum range of more than 300 miles1 from a full charge. On the other hand, the 2026 Hyundai Kona Electric offers an estimated 200 miles of range, and the Kia Niro EV taps out at just 253 miles.
With Subaru Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive, the Uncharted is still targeting up to 290 miles of range, around 10% greater range than either the Hyundai Kona Electric or the Kia Niro EV can provide in their most range-conscious configurations.
Subaru Uncharted: Unmatched Charging Speed in Its Class
There are two keys to successful EV ownership: having a Level 2 charger at home and the ability to put a DC fast charger to use on the road.
Think of EV charging like running water through a hose: No matter how high the water pressure is, the diameter of the hose restricts how much water can go through it. It’s similar with EV chargers. You may have pulled up to a 350-kW DC fast charger, but if your vehicle only accepts a maximum of 100 kW, the charger is going to throttle its performance and provide a slower charge.
Both the Hyundai and the Kia charge at a sweet spot around 100 kW, regardless of how much the charger itself can deliver. As a result, the Kona Electric and the Niro EV both take about 43 minutes to charge from 10% to 80%, even on a fast charger that can put out up to 350 kW.
The Uncharted not only offers greater range but gets you back on the road faster by utilizing more of what a 350-kW DC fast charger provides. The Uncharted can charge from 10% to 80% in about 30 minutes,2 13 minutes faster than a Kona Electric or Niro EV using a 350-kW charger.
Subaru Uncharted: Outstanding Acceleration
Longer range and quicker charging speed are important factors, but it’s all for naught if the vehicle accelerates like it’s chained to the vehicle behind it. No matter what we drive, we want brisk acceleration when merging onto the highway or climbing long grades.
The Kia Niro EV claims 0 to 100 km/h (approximately 0 to 62 mph) in 7.8 seconds. (Hyundai doesn’t list acceleration specs for the Kona Electric, but since it shares a platform and EV technology with the Niro EV, it’s logical to assume similar specifications.)
The Uncharted offers muscle car performance in a compact crossover footprint, delivering lightning-quick 0 to 60 performance in under 5 seconds, around 3 seconds faster than the Kia Niro EV.
And that’s not just faster than the vehicles it competes with – it’s faster than a standard Volkswagen GTI as well.
Subaru Uncharted: Adventure Ready
Of course, the entire point of owning a Subaru is that it’s a platform for adventure. Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive in the Sport and GT trims is coupled with X-MODE®, which helps maximize traction in challenging situations like loose rocks, sand, deep snow and mud.
The Subaru Uncharted is also able to carry all the gear you need to make the most of your trip. With the rear seats up, it delivers more than 25 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row, competitive with both the Hyundai and Kia models. The Uncharted also equips the Sport and GT trim levels with roof rails to provide a platform for bike carriers, snowboard racks and cargo baskets along with the optional crossbars.
Look for more detailed specifications and pricing in early 2026 when the Uncharted comes to market. With three trim levels to choose from, it’s a Subaru electric vehicle built to make your next road trip a true adventure.
1 Manufacturer-estimated range on a full battery charge. Actual range will vary with driving conditions, weather, and your vehicle’s condition.
2 Charge time varies based on vehicle level of charge, charging rate, ambient temperature, and many other factors.
