Compared: 2023 Subaru Solterra vs. 2023 Toyota bZ4x
Despite sharing a platform, these new battery-electric compact SUVs differ in price and features.
Subaru/Toyota
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The 2023 Subaru Solterra and the 2023 Toyota bZ4X are the first battery-electric vehicles from each of these automakers. While these EVs are sold by different brands, they were co-developed, which means there are plenty of similarities between these compact four-door SUVs and only a few key differences. For example, only the bZ4X has the option for front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive, while the Solterra comes with AWD standard. In contrast, the bZ4X has a more affordable starting price.
Subaru Solterra vs. Toyota bZ4x: Price
The Subaru Solterra has three trims. The base Premium starts around $46,000. It includes Subaru’s X-Mode system with hill ascent and descent assist and 8.3 inches of ground clearance. It also has a large suite of standard safety features, including automatic emergency braking, emergency steering assist, blind-spot monitoring, and lane departure prevention. At about $50,000, the Limited adds wireless device charging and a Harman Kardon audio system. The top-rung Touring priced around $53,000 features a glass roof and ventilated front seats.
The Toyota bZ4X offers two trim levels, starting at around $43,000 for the base XLE. Standard gear includes FWD, six-way, manual front seats, wireless charging, and the addition of rear cross-traffic alert. The fancier $48,000 Limited adds an eight-way power driver’s seat, ambient lighting, and an available JBL premium audio system. As a $2,080 option, AWD is offered on both trims. The Toyota BEV has a little less ground clearance at 8.1 inches, even with traction at all four wheels.
Toyota
Subaru Solterra vs. Toyota bZ4x: Interior
Both battery-electric SUVs have seating for five with up to 29 cu.-ft. for cargo behind the second row. Where things differ is in the passenger room. The bZ4X has 94 cu.-ft. for passengers, while the Solterra is slightly roomier at 96 cu.-ft. Both start with an 8.0 inch infotainment touchscreen in their respective base trims, with a larger 12.3 inch touchscreen in higher models.
The differences between the Subaru and Toyota EVs are greater when you consider interior features, with buyers choosing between better standard infotainment or more standard convenience features.
The Solterra has automatic climate control, cloth seating surfaces, heated front seats and side mirrors, a heated and leather-wrapped steering wheel, plus wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto standard on all but the base Premium trim. The Toyota offers dual-zone automatic climate control, synthetic leather and fabric seating surfaces, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel. Heated front seats and a heated steering wheel are optional on the bZ4X rather than standard on the Solterra.
Subaru
Subaru Solterra vs. Toyota bZ4x: Range
The front-drive Toyota bZ4X has a 71 kWh battery with one electric motor for 201 hp and a maximum range of up to an EPA-estimated 252 miles per charge. AWD versions get a 73 kWh battery and two electric motors for 214 hp and a maximum range of up to 228 miles. The Subaru BEV uses the same dual-motor AWD powertrain as the Toyota, but with a 1 hp bump to 215 hp. It delivers the same estimated range.
The best efficiency figures come from the base bZ4X with a 119 combined MPGe estimate. That number drops to a low of 102 MPGe for both the AWD versions of the Subaru and the Toyota in the higher trim levels.
