A name like "the Subaru Getaway" has a lot to live up to. That's the kind of car you can take on a road trip along Route 66 or up and down the California Coast or deep into the Osceola National Forest, exploring roads and trails with the whole family on board, and maybe pulling a small fishing boat behind it.But if there's one brand that we think can pull it off, it's Subaru. The automaker's portfolio consists largely of family-sized all-wheel-drive vehicles that are just as comfortable on the daily commute as they are taking a trip into the great outdoors. Now that this new three-row EV is on the way, let's see how it compares to a Kia EV9. The Getaway Has The Makings Of A Segment Leader SubaruThe Subaru Getaway promises an impressive 420 horsepower at the base level. This would put it within spitting distance of a mid-range Kia EV9. Until we have pricing for the Getaway, the fairest comparison seems to be between the new Subaru and the 2026 EV9 Wind AWD grade at $63,900.If you want to spend a little extra on a $71,900 GT-Line AWD model, the EV9 can clear 60 mph in as little as 4.5 seconds. The mid-range Wind is slower, taking 5.7 seconds to reach that speed. However, the optional $900 Boost mode over-the-air update can cut those times down to about 5.0 seconds flat. Locking performance behind a paywall like bonus content in a video game, don't you just love the future?Based on what we know right now, the Getaway is better on every front, at least when it comes to performance specs. The Subaru is quicker off the starting line, it packs an extra 41 hp, and the powertrain offers a bit more range on a full charge. Additionally, the Wind has 7.8 inches of ground clearance. In comparison, the Getaway offers 8.3 inches of clearance, giving the Getaway a height advantage over the EV9 for any buyers prioritizing the ability to clear obstacles. The EV9 Out-Tows The Getaway, But Only In The Higher Trims Kia The EV9's $68,900 Land trim bumps the towing capacity up to 5,000 pounds. This could give the Kia an advantage over the Subaru if the Getaway's base MSRP comes in closer to $70,000 than $60,000, but we have to wait and see.Kia's EV9 has a terrain-mode selector that lets drivers adjust the setup to Snow, Mud, and Sand settings, activated via steering-wheel-mounted controls. The Getaway's symmetrical AWD system will be handled via Subaru's X-Mode, with Snow/Dirt, Snow/Mud modes, along with grip control and downhill assist. In short, the Getaway is already shaping up to be a segment leader. We'd Happily Drive Our Family Around In Either Of These Vehicles SubaruThe Getaway and the EV9 Wind both offer a lot of storage space, but the Getaway comes out ahead by a narrow margin. The EV9 packs 20.2 cubic feet of cargo behind the back seats, or 43.5 cubic feet with the third row folded flat. The Getaway has a relatively meager 15.9 cubic feet of cargo in the back, but that number almost triples to 45.6 cubic feet when you fold the third row down.When it comes to interior features, the Getaway continues to stay just ahead of the EV9. For instance, the Getaway pairs a 14-inch Subaru Multimedia touchscreen with a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster. In comparison, the EV9's infotainment and instrument cluster screens both measure 12.3 inches, diagonally. Neither of these multimedia screens is segment-leading, but the Getaway's is noticeably larger.Heated front seats come standard in both SUVs, and both offer heated rear seats as an option. The Getaway's higher trims promise a "360-degree heated steering wheel," meaning that you'll be able to keep your fingers toasty no matter where you grab the wheel. The Getaway and the EV9 both offer a panoramic sunroof. The EV9 Is A Safety Leader Kia Both vehicles have a solid suite of safety features. The Subaru comes with the brand's EyeSight driver-assistance tech, including blind-spot monitors, lane-departure warning, lane-change assist, adaptive cruise control, and traffic-jam assist. The EV9 packs many of the same features. Neither SUV would leave you wanting in this regard.Subaru is definitely an industry leader in safety, but the Kia EV9 is also a standout. The 2026 EV9 holds a Top Safety Pick+ award, the IIHS' highest honor, with a rare perfect score in every crash-test category and a collision-avoidance system that prevented a crash in every forward-collision-avoidance test.We wouldn't be surprised if the Subaru Getaway scores a Top Safety Pick+ in its first year out, but the EV9 is a safety superhero. It's going to be a close match either way. Subaru And Kia Are Both Low-Maintenance Brands Brett Evans / CarBuzz / Valnet The Kia EV9 has only been out for a few years, and the Getaway is still on its way, so we don't have enough data to make an accurate comparison when it comes to individual repair costs. But, comparing brand to brand, here's what we get, with RepairPal providing the annual estimate, and CarEdge the ten-year estimate.According to J.D. Power's latest dependability survey, both brands rank in the top ten, with Subaru in sixth place with an average of 181 problems per 100 vehicles (the industry average is 204 problems per 100 vehicles), and Kia in ninth, with 193 problems per 100 vehicles.Electric vehicles tend to be cheaper to maintain than gas-powered vehicles (although servicing wait times can be longer). In an SUV this large, you also benefit from the fact that you won't need to pay for gas. A long-range AWD EV9 costs around $900 a year to charge, according to the EPA, assuming 15,000 annual miles split 45/55 between highway and city driving, and costs just $1.50 for a typical 25-mile trip. We expect the Getaway to cost about the same to run.As far as big family cars go, the Getaway's cabin has a lot going for it, while the EV9 is likely to be marginally superior in terms of safety and reliability. We can call this round a draw. Pricing May Have The Final Say Subaru Right now, we're seeing a lot to like about the Subaru Getaway, and, if the pricing is reasonable, we could be looking at a contender for three-row SUV of the year. But if is the keyword, there. Subaru promises pricing and more detailed specs closer to the launch date, which should be in late 2026. In the meantime, the MSRP is a major unknown factor.At the same price as a Kia EV9 Wind, or even a little pricier, the Getaway is a clear winner. If it launches at around $70,000, the EV9 Land's 5,000-pound towing capacity starts to look very attractive at $68,900. The higher the Subaru's price goes, the more we think that the EV9 GT-Line's 4.5-second takeoffs might be worth spending $71,900 on.Subaru has competitive pricing against its other Japanese brands, but two of our cheapest new cars for 2026 happen to be Kias. This is not to say that the cheapest model is always the most attractive, but the EV9 is a safety-award winner, it's dirt cheap to maintain, and 379 hp is plenty for the average family driver.The Getaway's advantages are very appealing, but practicality is a key factor in the three-row SUV segment, and, with MSRPs higher than ever, we expect that the new Subaru will sink or swim on its price point.
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