Compare the2026 Subaru UnchartedVS 2025 Hyundai Kona Electric

The Subaru Uncharted has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags help prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The Kona Electric doesn’t offer knee airbags.

The Uncharted has a standard Secondary Collision Brake, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The Kona Electric doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

The Uncharted Sport/GT has all-wheel drive to maximize traction under poor conditions, especially in ice and snow. The Kona Electric doesn’t offer all-wheel drive.

The Subaru Uncharted’s rear backup camera has a standard washer for maintaining a clear view under various conditions. In contrast, the Hyundai Kona Electric does not offer a rear camera washer, meaning its effectiveness relies on manual cleaning by the user when necessary.

Both the Uncharted and the Kona Electric have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, front wheel drive, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors and available around view monitors.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Subaru vehicles are more reliable than Hyundai With 10 fewer problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, J.D. Power ranks Subaru higher than Hyundai.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ March 2025 Auto Issue reports that Subaru vehicles are more reliable than Hyundai vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Subaru first in overall reliability. Hyundai is ranked 10th.

The Uncharted’s standard electric motor produces 88 more horsepower (221 vs. 133) than the Kona Electric SE’s standard electric motor. The Uncharted’s electric motor produces 20 more horsepower (221 vs. 201) than the Kona Electric SEL/Limited/N-Line’s standard electric motor. The Uncharted Sport/GT’s standard electric motors produces 137 more horsepower (338 vs. 201) than the Kona Electric SEL/Limited/N-Line’s standard electric motor.

The Uncharted can travel longer on a full charge than the Kona Electric on a full charge:

For better stopping power the Uncharted’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Kona Electric:

The Uncharted’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the Kona Electric are solid, not vented.

For better traction, the Uncharted has larger tires than the Kona Electric (235/60R18 vs. 215/60R17).

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Uncharted Premium has standard 18-inch wheels. Smaller 17-inch wheels are standard on the Kona Electric. The Uncharted Sport/GT’s 20-inch wheels are larger than the 19-inch wheels on the Kona Electric N-Line.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Uncharted’s wheelbase is 3.6 inches longer than on the Kona Electric (108.3 inches vs. 104.7 inches).

For greater off-road capability the Uncharted has a 2.3 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the Kona Electric (8.2 vs. 5.9 inches), allowing the Uncharted to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The Uncharted has .4 inches more front legroom, .2 inches more front hip room and 1.5 inches more front shoulder room than the Kona Electric.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Subaru service is better than Hyundai. J.D. Power ranks Subaru third in service department satisfaction. With a 66% lower rating, Hyundai is ranked 30th.

When two different drivers share the Uncharted Sport/GT, the memory seats and mirrors make it convenient for both. Each setting activates different, customized memories for the driver’s seat position and outside mirror angle. The Kona Electric doesn’t offer a memory system.

The Uncharted’s standard easy entry system glides the driver’s seat back, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The Kona Electric doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The Uncharted’s front and rear power windows all open or close fully with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The Kona Electric’s standard power window switches have to be held the entire time to close them fully. Only its driver’s window opens automatically. With the Kona Electric N-Line/Limited’s power windows, only the front windows open or close automatically.

If the windows are left open on the Uncharted the driver can close all of them at the outside door handle. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows at the outside door handle or from a distance using the keyless remote. (This window function must be activated by your Subaru service department.) The driver of the Kona Electric can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The Uncharted’s rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The Kona Electric’s manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

In poor weather, headlights can lose their effectiveness as grime builds up on their lenses. This can reduce visibility without the driver realizing. The Uncharted has standard headlight washers to keep headlight output high. The Kona Electric doesn’t offer headlight washers.

The Uncharted has standard heated front seats. Heated front seats are only available on the Kona Electric SEL/N-Line/Limited. The Uncharted GT also has standard heated rear seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren’t available in the Kona Electric.

Both the Uncharted and the Kona Electric offer rear vents. For greater rear passenger comfort, the Uncharted has standard rear air conditioning vents to keep rear occupants cool in summer or warm in winter. The Kona Electric doesn’t offer rear air conditioning vents, only heat vents.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Subaru Uncharted has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console for two separate devices. Only the Kona Electric N-Line/Limited offers wireless charging.