Named for the sun and the earth, the 2023 Solterra is Subaru’s first battery electric vehicle (EV). Subaru chose to base the Solterra on a compact SUV design. This makes a great deal of sense since the compact SUV or crossover is the best-selling type of SUV on the market. This means a market may already exist for an EV like the Subaru Solterra. It is just the case now for Subaru to succeed in marketing this vehicle so that there will be many motorists looking for the Subaru Solterra for Sale.
The success or failure of this marketing campaign will largely depend on how well Solterra stacks up against other EVs currently available for sale in America. The current SUV crop ranges from subcompact SUVs and hatchbacks to midsize luxury sedans, three-row SUVs, and even pickup trucks. Comparing the Solterra to an EV other than another one that is a BEV compact SUV will be an unfair comparison. This is why it is critical to look at the Solterra in light of the other BEV compact SUVs for sale today. Since most EV buyers are looking for things like range, interior space, and price tag, these will be the primary objective criteria used for comparison.
Subaru Solterra vs Tesla Model Y
Tesla has gotten a great deal of credit for proving the commercial viability of EVs. When the first Model S luxury sedans started rolling into showrooms, some folks rolled their eyes, while others rolled the dice and gave the Tesla a shot. Today, Tesla has a lineup of EVs, including the Model Y, a BEV compact SUV like the Solterra.
The 2023 Model Y has three different powertrains. It includes a dual motor with 279 miles of range, a dual motor long range with 303 miles on a fully charged battery pack, and a dual motor performance model with 303 miles of range. Like the 2023 Solterra, the Model Y comes with a standard AWD. In comparison, Subaru offers a standard powertrain for all models, with a 71.4-kWh battery able to provide up to 228 miles on a single charge. The Solterra’s powertrain delivers 215 hp and 249 lb-ft of torque. While the Model Y Long Range provides 390 hp and 376 lb-ft of torque, and the Model Y Performance has an output of 420 hp and 481 lb-ft of torque, no performance figures exist for the entry-level Model Y.
The base MSRP of the 2023 Solterra Premium is $44,995, which is less than the Model Y, which starts at an MSRP of $47,240. The Model Y does have a larger touchscreen of 15 inches compared to the 12.3-inch touchscreen on Solterra’s infotainment system. The Model Y also has more trunk space, 30.2 cubic feet, compared to the 23.8 cubic feet on the Solterra. In addition, Tesla offers a three-row Model Y, which can be a little cramped, especially in the third row.
Subaru Solterra vs Ford Mustang Mach-E
Designed as a performance BEV compact SUV, the 2023 Ford Mustang Mach-E looks to capitalize on the name of its famous sports car. Ford offers the Mustang Mach-E with five dizzying different powertrains. Two use a 72-kWh battery pack, while the others have an extended range courtesy of a 91-kWh battery pack. However, the Mustang Mach-E is RWD on its two entry-level models, requiring drivers to pay extra for AWD, which comes standard on the Solterra.
The Solterra has more range than the AWD Mustang Mach-E with a smaller battery, 228 miles compared to 224. The other four Mustang Mach-E models provide more range, from 247 to 310 miles. In addition, each of the Ford models delivers more hp and torque than the Subaru. However, the Solterra has more overall cargo space behind the first row of seats, a full 63.5 cu.-ft compared to 59.7 cu.-ft on the Mustang Mach-E. While the entry-level model of the Mustang Mach-E has an MSRP of $42,995, if you want one with AWD, it will cost about $46,995, which is more than the 2023 Solterra Premium’s $44,995 MSRP. The Ford Mustang Mach-E features a best-in-class 15.5-inch touchscreen on its infotainment system.
Subaru Solterra vs Hyundai Ioniq 5
The 2023 Hyundai Ioniq 5 offers three different powertrains, one with a 58-kWh battery pack and the other with a long-range 77.4-kWh battery pack. The smaller battery is only available on RWD models, with 168 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque. This is less than the Solterra’s 215 hp while slightly more than the Subaru’s 249 lb-ft of torque. The Ioniq 5 has 303 miles of range with RWD, but this drops to 266 with AWD. Also, the Ioniq 5 has a base MSRP of $45,500 with a smaller battery and RWD. So, to get one with a larger battery and AWD will cost you significantly more than the base MSRP of $44,995 on the Subaru Solterra.
Both models feature a 12.3-inch infotainment system touchscreen, but the Solterra has more overall cargo capacity. The Subaru features 63.5 cu.-ft of space behind the driver, more than the 59.3 cu.-ft on the Ioniq 5.
Subaru Solterra vs Nissan ARIYA
The 2023 Nissan ARIYA has four different powertrain options. Unlike many other BEV compact SUVs, the ARIYA has FWD instead of RWD. Nissan hopes drivers will sing the praises of the ARIYA for offering a standard 63-kWh battery and the 87-kWh battery with either FWD or Nissan’s e-4ORCE AWD. However, drivers will have to pay extra for the extended battery and excellent traction.
The output of FWD models of the ARIYA is less than that of the Subaru Solterra. The FWD ARIYA delivers 214-238 hp and 221 lb-ft of torque, which does not compare to the 215 hp and 249 lb-ft torque of the Subaru. However, the AWD models of the ARIYA provide more output than the Solterra. In addition, the entry-level ARIYA ENGAGE has a range of just 216 miles, less than on the Solterra.
The base MSRP of the ARIYA is $43,190, but choosing available AWD increases the MSRP to $47,190, significantly more than the $44,995 on the Solterra. Both models have a 12.3-inch touchscreen, but the Solterra offers 23.8 cu.-ft of cargo space in the trunk, more than the 22.8 cu.-ft on the ARIYA.
Subaru Solterra vs Kia EV6
Another BEV compact SUV with four powertrain choices is the 2023 Kia EV6. (This must be a trend). Kia offers one EV6 with a 58-kWh battery and RWD and three models with a larger 77.4-kWh battery, two of which have AWD. With an MSRP of $42,600 for the entry-level EV6 Light, you must pay significantly more to get a Wind model with AWD. In fact, this model is priced at $52,600, considerably more than Solterra’s base MSRP of $44,995, which comes with standard Symmetrical AWD.
While the Solterra has a range of 228 miles across all trims, the range on the 2023 EV6 ranges quite a bit. For example, the long-range EV6 model with RWD provides 310 miles on a full charge, while the performance GT model with a long-range battery and AWD will only get 206 miles.
The Subaru Solterra has a slightly larger 12.3-inch touchscreen, while the EV6 features a 12.2-inch touchscreen. In addition, there is 63.5 cu.-ft of cargo space behind the front row of the Solterra, significantly more than the 50.2 cu.-ft of space in the Kia EV6.
Subaru Solterra vs Toyota bZ4X
No, that is not a typo. The name of Toyota’s 2023 BEV compact SUV is the bZ4X. Please do not ask me what it means. Nevertheless, this model features two different battery packs. The 71.4-kWh battery is for FWD models only, while the 72.8-kWh is for AWD vehicles. The front wheel has only 201 hp and 196 lb-ft of torque, significantly less than the 215 hp and 249 lb-ft of torque on the 2023 Solterra. But it does provide up to 252 miles of range. The AWD model provides 214 hp and 248 lb-ft of torque, which is slightly less than the Solterra. Both AWD EVs have a range of 228 miles.
The entry-level 2023 Toyota bZ4X XLE has an MSRP of $42,000, while the Limited model has an MSRP of $46,700. While both are available with AWD, this will make them more costly than the 2023 Solterra Premium, with its MSRP of $44,995. In addition, while both models feature a 12.3-inch touchscreen, the Solterra has more cargo space. The bZ4X offers only 56.9 cu.-ft of cargo space behind the driver.
Subaru Solterra vs Volkswagen ID.4
The 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 has the lowest base MSRP of any BEV compact SUVs reviewed, with a price tag of $38,995. However, this is for RWD and a smaller 62-kWh battery. Opting for AWD will require the larger 82-kWh battery and a higher price tag.
The ID.4 may entertain little kids by repeatedly playing Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go by Wham, but you have to spring for the larger battery and AWD to get better output. The two RWD models of the 2023 ID.4 deliver only 201 hp and 229 lb-ft of torque. This is significantly less than the 215 hp and 249 lb-ft of torque on the 2023 Subaru Solterra. In addition, the base VW ID.4 has only 209 miles of range, while the Solterra provides up to 228 miles. While the Volkswagen has an impressive 64.2 cu.-ft of cargo space, slightly more than the Solterra, it has the smallest touchscreen of the EV models, a modest 12-inch area.
The 2023 Subaru Solterra Gives You the Best of All Worlds on Earth and Under the Sun
In comparing vehicles, it is critical to look at the big picture. Some models may cost less than the one you are looking at, or others deliver better performance. However, the other BEV compact SUV models delivered a different package than the Solterra. Only the Tesla came with a standard AWD. Only the Volkswagen was going to cost less. Both provided less standard value than the Subaru Solterra. So, if you want the most for your money, your best bet is the 2023 Solterra.
