Kia EV3 vs. Subaru Uncharted: Range, Price, Power, and Space Compared

Fast Facts | Kia EV3 vs. Subaru Uncharted

• Horsepower: The Kia EV3 has up to 288 horsepower, while the Subaru Uncharted has up to 338 horsepower
• EPA-Estimated Range: The Kia EV3 offers up to 321 miles of EPA-estimated range, while the Subaru Uncharted offers up to 308 miles of EPA-estimated range
• Cargo Space: The Kia EV3 has up to 56.5 cubic feet of space with the rear seats folded, while the Subaru Uncharted has up to 59.5 cubic feet of space
• Tech: The Kia EV3 has a 12.3-inch touchscreen, while the Subaru Uncharted has a 14-inch touchscreen
• MSRP: The Kia EV3 starts at $31,385, while the Subaru Uncharted starts at $36,470

Kia Gives You More Choices. Subaru Gives You More Muscle.

The Kia EV3 is brand new on the scene, so it's time to see how it stacks up against the EVs already on the market. That includes Subaru's Uncharted, which is identical to the Toyota CH-R, so you can also use this as a comparison between the Subaru and the Toyota. Here's how they compare. 

Exterior Design and Dimensions

The Uncharted's rear end looks far more sloped and rounded for a more overtly sporty look than the EV3's boxy one. From the front, the Kia's headlights are vertical, while the Subaru's headlights run horizontally across the hood. The Uncharted also looks bigger, and the exterior dimensions back that up. The Uncharted is 8.1 to 8.5 inches longer, 0.8 inch wider, 1.6 to 1.8 inches taller, and has 2.0 to 2.3 inches more ground clearance. 

Interior Space and Tech

Despite its bigger dimensions, the Uncharted wins on only two interior passenger measurements, both in the front. It has 0.4 inch more front legroom and 1.2 inches more front shoulder room. The EV3, despite its smaller footprint, has up to 0.9 inch more front headroom, 0.1 to 1.2 inches more rear headroom, 0,4 inch more rear shoulder room, and a whopping 5.2 inches more rear legroom. That last one may make a huge difference for your rear passengers. 

The two split cargo space: The EV3 has 3.1 cubic feet more with the second row up, while the Uncharted has 3.0 cubic feet more with the second row folded. 

Both come standard with cloth upholstery, 60/40 split-folding rear seats, dual-zone automatic climate control, keyless entry, push-button start, a six-speaker audio system, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The EV3 has a standard synthetic leather steering wheel, while the Uncharted has a leather-wrapped steering wheel. The Uncharted has standard rain-sensing windshield wipers, while those are available on the EV3. 

The EV3 has dual 12.3-inch panoramic displays and a 5-inch climate display, and the Uncharted has a 14-inch touchscreen and a 7-inch digital gauge cluster. 

Both are available with synthetic leather upholstery, a 10-way power-adjustable driver's seat, driver's seat memory, a power-adjustable front passenger seat (10-way on the EV3, eight-way on the Uncharted), ventilated front seats, a sunroof, and a Harman Kardon audio system (eight speakers on the EV3, 11 on the Uncharted). 

The EV3 has available driver's seat relaxation settings, synthetic leather and suede upholstery, and a 12-inch head-up display. The Uncharted is available with a digital rearview mirror, heated rear seats, and a heated steering wheel. 

For safety, both have pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning and lane-keeping assist, lane-centering assist, automatic high-beams, safe-exit warning, and a rear-seat reminder. 

The EV3 has standard junction-turning detection, highway driving assist, navigation-based cruise control with curve control, and driver-attention warning. The Uncharted has standard emergency steering assist, emergency driving stop assist, lane-change assist, front cross-traffic alert, and traffic-sign recognition. 

Both are available with a surround-view monitor. The EV3 offers way more safety equipment available, including front, rear, and side parking sensors, rear parking collision-avoidance assist, a blind-spot monitor, enhanced automatic emergency braking, lane-change oncoming detection, lane-change side detection, evasive steering assist detection, highway driving assist 2, and remote smart parking assist. The Uncharted is available with traffic-jam assist, but it requires a subscription. 

Powertrain and Fuel Economy

Comparing front-wheel-drive versions, the Uncharted makes 20 more horsepower than the EV3. With all-wheel drive, it makes 50 to 77 more horsepower. The Uncharted has only one battery option, which is larger than the EV3's standard pack but smaller than its long-range pack. 

The Uncharted only offers one battery size, so the base trim has 87 more miles of range than the base EV3 with its smaller battery. The long-range FWD EV3 has 13 more miles than the FWD Uncharted, but the AWD EV3's 280 miles of range falls within the AWD Uncharted's 273 to 287 miles. 

A 100-mile range spread inside the EV3 lineup shows why shoppers should compare the exact battery and trim, so see how to evaluate EPA range, battery size, and real-world driving needs ➜

Charging

Both have a native NACS charging port on the right-front fender, making it easy to use Tesla's short cables at Supercharger stations. They also charge in about the same amount of time: 10-to-80 percent takes 28 minutes in the Uncharted and 29 to 31 minutes in the EV3. 

Both vehicles simplify Tesla Supercharger access, but adapters still matter for older charging equipment, so see how NACS, CCS, J1772, and EV charging adapters work together ➜

Price 

The base EV3 Light undercuts the base Uncharted Premium by over $5,000. The EV3 Wind FWD is more in line with the base Uncharted, at just $15 more. The EV3 Wind AWD costs $1,085 less than the Uncharted Sport. However, the EV3 GT tops the two lineups at $47,385, over $2,000 more than the Uncharted GT. 

What's It Like to Drive? 

Both of these cars are a hoot to drive. Kia and Subaru/Toyota use the characteristics of electric propulsion to good effect, even in single-motor FWD form. Instant low-end torque makes them very responsive off the line and provides rapid acceleration for merging onto a highway or passing on a two-lane road. In dual-motor AWD form, they provide all the performance a typical driver will ever need. 

Thanks to the low center of gravity from the underfloor battery, both provide smooth, stable cornering. The battery also gives them more balanced weight distribution than a FWD gas vehicle, which helps mitigate the understeer inherent in most cars. 

The EV3, especially in GT form, has a more overtly sporty character, reminiscent of hot hatches like the Volkswagen GTI or Golf R. Its virtual gear shift mode transforms the regenerative braking paddles on the steering wheel into shift paddles, and the car replicates the character of a gas car with a manual transmission, including the engine noise, a pseudo-tachometer, and momentary torque pauses with each shift. Sure, it’s a gimmick, but on a country road, it makes the EV3 feel just a bit more like a GTI with a dual-clutch transmission. 

The Uncharted retains the higher ground clearance of its Subaru siblings. While it isn't specifically marketed as an off-road vehicle, it's first and foremost a Subaru that’s ready for some adventure. It’s not a rock crawler, but it will handle most trails to a campsite, cabin, or favorite fishing spot. 

Analyst's Perspective (Which One's Right for You)

Much of the decision between these two will come down to their divergent design philosophies. The Uncharted's fastback profile looks sportier, but like other Subarus, it also sits a bit higher off the ground. The EV3 is a chunky-looking hatchback that might appeal more to the Golf GTI and Golf R crowd. It drives with a sportier flair, and its faux shifting and engine sounds make it more engaging on the road. Meanwhile, those who live the classic Subie lifestyle will appreciate the Uncharted's extra clearance. 

For those who need good, solid transportation and mostly drive locally, the base EV3, at just over $30,000 delivered, is an outstanding option with a great warranty, a full suite of driver-assistance features, and decent range. At the $35,000 price point, whichever design catches your eye won't disappoint. If I could get the EV3 Wind AWD in the Uncharted's Habanero orange paint, I’d be a happy camper.

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