Kia EV5 vs Subaru Uncharted

They pitch at different buyers. The Kia EV5 is Australia's value benchmark in the class, sold in four grades from $49,990 to $75,990, with a big boot, a seven-year warranty and the weight of a top-seller behind it. The Subaru Uncharted comes in a single all-wheel-drive grade at $65,420, and trades outright value for a sportier drive, more power, higher clearance and faster charging. The EV5 is the roomier, cheaper, longer-warranty family choice; the Uncharted is the sharper, more capable-in-the-wet premium alternative. Your decision hinges on value and space against drive and traction.

The Kia EV5, comfortably, at least to start. Its entry Air Standard Range opens at $49,990 drive-away, more than $15,000 under the Subaru Uncharted's $65,420, both quoted for a NSW private buyer in September 2026. But that cheapest EV5 is a front-driver with a smaller battery. The fairer like-for-like is the all-wheel-drive EV5 Earth at $64,990, which lands just $430 under the Uncharted. So the EV5 wins on price at the entry point by a wide margin, and even matched grade-for-grade in all-wheel drive it stays marginally cheaper, while adding a longer warranty.

The Kia EV5. Its boot holds 513 litres to the Subaru Uncharted's 403, a 110-litre advantage, and it stands 90mm taller, which lifts rear head room despite the two sharing a 2,750mm wheelbase. Both seat five, but the EV5's upright SUV shape simply packages more usable space than the Uncharted's lower, coupe-styled body. If carrying people and gear is the priority, the EV5 is the roomier, more practical choice. The Uncharted trades that space for a sportier stance and standard all-wheel-drive hardware.

The Kia EV5's front-drive Long Range goes furthest, claiming 555km WLTP, the longest range in this comparison and ahead of the Subaru Uncharted's 522. But among all-wheel-drive grades the picture flips: the Uncharted's 522km beats the EV5 Earth AWD's 500, and the entry EV5 Standard Range manages only 400km. The Uncharted is also more efficient at 160Wh/km. So if maximum range matters most, the front-drive EV5 Long Range is the pick; if you want all-wheel drive with strong range, the Uncharted leads its EV5 equivalents.

The Subaru Uncharted. Its 252kW dual-motor all-wheel drive runs to 100km/h in about five seconds, ahead of both the 160kW front-drive Kia EV5 and the 230kW EV5 all-wheel-drive Earth and GT-Line grades. The Uncharted also has a sportier tune and symmetrical all-wheel drive, where the EV5 is calibrated for comfort and efficiency. The EV5 AWD grades are brisk enough for most, but for outright pace and driver engagement the Subaru is the clear pick. The EV5's counter is value and space, not straight-line speed.

The Subaru Uncharted, and the gap is large. It is rated to tow 2,000kg braked. The Kia EV5 varies by grade: the cheapest Air Standard Range manages just 300kg braked, while the all-wheel-drive Long Range grades lift that to 1,250kg, still below the Subaru. Neither is a natural tow car, and towing cuts an EV's range hard, but if a trailer or small caravan is part of the plan the Uncharted has the highest ceiling by a clear margin. If you are cross-shopping the cheapest EV5, check the towing figure closely, because the Standard Range is not built for it.

The Kia EV5 leads on warranty, with seven years to the Subaru Uncharted's five, and both cover the drive battery separately for eight years. On servicing the two are close: both run 12-month or 15,000km intervals, and the Uncharted's five-year capped-price total is low for the class at under $1,000. Kia's capped-price servicing is likewise competitive, and its dealer network is one of the largest in the country. So the EV5 wins the warranty comparison outright, while day-to-day running costs are line-ball. For the longest peace-of-mind cover, the EV5 is the pick.

Both hold a five-star ANCAP rating and match on adult occupant, child occupant and safety-assist scores at 88, 86 and 82 per cent. The one gap is vulnerable road user protection, where the Subaru Uncharted scores 80 per cent to the Kia EV5's 74. Both run the full active-safety suite as standard, including autonomous emergency braking, lane keep assist, adaptive cruise control and blind-spot monitoring. On crash protection the two are very close, with the Subaru marginally ahead on pedestrian safety; neither is a weak link.