Toyota bZ4X vs Subaru Solterra Collaboration for Electric SUV Supremacy
2023 Subaru Solterra Is More Expensive Than the Toyota bZ4X
- The 2023 Subaru Solterra starts at $46,220, which is $3005 more than the base 2023 Toyota bZ4X.
- The Subaru's standard all-wheel drive accounts for much of the extra cost, as the Toyota comes standard with front-wheel drive.
- Still, a bZ4x with the optional all-wheel-drive system is $925 less to start than the entry-level Solterra.
The 2023 Subaru Solterra and the 2023 Toyota bZ4X have been linked together since birth, a result of the new electric SUVs being co-developed by their respective parent companies. The bZ4X and Solterra share a platform and many other characteristics, but shoppers comparing the two will notice that the Subaru is also more expensive than its Toyota twin. The 2023 Solterra starts at $46,220 whereas the 2023 bZ4X has a starting price of $43,215.
Driven: bZ4X and Solterra
Basic math tells us that the least expensive Solterra is $3005 more than the least expensive bZ4x. However, the price comparison is more complicated than that because much of the Subie's extra cost is attributed to its standard dual-motor, all-wheel-drive system. The Toyota, on the other hand, comes standard with a single-motor, front-wheel-drive setup. So, what's the price difference when the entry-level bZ4X is equipped with all-wheel drive? Well, it's still $925 cheaper than the base Solterra.
The Solterra is available in three trim levels: Premium, Limited, and Touring. The Limited starts at $49,720 and the Touring starts at $53,220, making them the most expensive Subaru models in the showroom. The bZ4X is only offered in XLE and Limited grades. The front-drive Limited starts at $47,915, and upgrading to all-wheel drive costs an extra $2080 on both trims.
The 2023 Solterra and 2023 bZ4x will go on sale this summer, with Subaru saying a limited number will hit dealer lots at first. The company also says it's finalizing plans to offer Solterra reservation holders their pick of either a credit for EVgo charging or money to purchase and install a Level 2 charger at home.
Eric Staffords automobile addiction began before he could walk, and it has fueled his passion to write news, reviews, and more for Car and Driver since 2016. His aspiration growing up was to become a millionaire with a Jay Lenolike car collection. Apparently, getting rich is harder than social-media influencers make it seem, so he avoided financial success entirely to become an automotive journalist and drive new cars for a living. After earning a journalism degree at Central Michigan University and working at a daily newspaper, the years of basically burning money on failed project cars and lemon-flavored jalopies finally paid off when Car and Driver hired him. His garage currently includes a 2010 Acura RDX, a manual '97 Chevy Camaro Z/28, and a '90 Honda CRX Si.
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The Toyota bZ4X and the Subaru Solterra are all-set to make a lasting impact in the trendy electromobility segment. Both these all-electric compact crossover SUVs encompass superior engineering ingenuity and immense technological prowess, with their much-anticipated arrival in mid-2022 sure to boost the awareness towards ecological transportation to a considerable extent. The renowned Toyota-Subaru merger has proved to be immensely fruitful so far, with their well-balanced GT86 swooning sports car enthusiasts the world over with its fun-to-drive character.
The Toyota bZ4X and the Subaru Solterra feature a host of similarities when it comes to their overall construction. The Solterra takes much of its inspiration from the equally impressive all-electric Toyota bZ4X but manages to distinguish itself flawlessly with the addition of Subaru's intelligent equipment list and subtle design elements. The impeccably engineered all-electric machines display their own galvanic personalities somewhat dignified, with their resulting performance dynamics catering to a differentiated target audience altogether.
The Toyota bZ4X and Subaru Solterra are based on the same e-TNGA BEV-dedicated platform. The all-electric compact crossover SUVs even share a similar exterior design but manage to distinguish themselves with a host of subtle design elements and a varied feature list that give them their own identities. Toyota and Subaru may have had a fruitful collaboration in recent times, but their individual renditions of an all-electric compact crossover SUV are anything but identical.
RELATED: This Is The Best Feature Of The 2023 Subaru Solterra
The Interior Dynamics
A few significant differences between these two competent all-electric compact crossover SUVs give them their individual identities. The Toyota bZ4X and the Subaru Solterra may bear a few similarities when it comes to their overall package but begin to differentiate themselves extensively when it comes to their interior setup and performance dynamics.
The Toyota bZ4X will feature a futuristic-looking steering yoke as an optional extra that will, in turn, add a bit of theater to its interior dynamics and contribute to its engaging overall in-cabin experience. The Toyota's interior layout itself is a tad more exciting when compared to the Subaru Solterra's rather conventional setup, making it a slightly favored pick of the two.
Subaru's Renowned 'X-Mode' Feature
Subaru's vision of a rugged SUV features top-of-the-line off-road equipment, making for a more engaging and confidence-inspiring driving experience. The Japanese automaker is renowned for its focused outlook when it comes to its off-road or rally-themed automobiles, and their upcoming Solterra is no exception.
The highly-advanced all-electric compact crossover SUV will house Subaru's one-of-a-kind 'X-Mode' driving system, which is, in essence, the firm's all-wheel-drive control feature that will allow the rather sophisticated Solterra to tackle unpredictable and treacherous driving conditions with relative ease.
The cleverly engineered system from Subaru is tough to replicate and will offer up an array of beneficial AWD control options like mud and deep snow, in turn proving beneficial for the driver and occupants for a more hassle-
free driving experience.
Toyota has yet to confirm if their 'Multi-Terrain Select Traction Control System' will make its presence felt on their all-electric bZ4X, but nonetheless, the Subaru's mighty 'X-Mode' feature is in a league of its own.
RELATED: The 2022 Subaru Forester Wilderness Edition Is A Capable Little Crossover
The Diverse Performance Dynamics
Perhaps the most significant difference between these all-electric compact crossover SUVs is their target audience. Toyota's lineage of SUVs like their RAV4, Highlander, and 4Runner are fuel-efficient, comfortable, and immensely reliable, while Subaru's vision of an SUV features a different set of priorities altogether.
The rugged SUVs from Subaru are more purpose-built and sport an array of top-of-the-line off-road-biased features like the firm's Symmetrical all-wheel-drive system as well as higher ground clearance that proves beneficial while tackling the unpredictable outdoors.
Subaru's impeccably engineered lineage of SUVs like their Forester, Crosstrek, and Outback are tremendous explorer vehicles and feel more at home in an off-road setting.
Subaru is most likely to continue this trend with their upcoming all-electric compact crossover SUV. The Solterra has hinted at its off-road-biased persona with the inclusion of the Japanese automaker's renowned 'X-Mode' all-wheel-drive system, giving it a completely different personality altogether when compared to the softer Toyota bZ4X.
The Subaru Solterra and the Toyota bZ4X are immensely capable in their own right. The all-electric compact crossover SUVs make a strong case for themselves, as their exquisite overall packages help contribute to their individuality. The Toyota features an inviting interior setup and efficient performance dynamics, while the Subaru's rugged go-anywhere personality and top-of-the-line off-road feature list put it in a league of its own. The common ground for both these impressive SUVs is their all-electric avatar that will, in turn, contribute to a greener and more sustainable tomorrow. The electromobility segment is on the verge of getting a tad more interesting in the near future, with the imminent arrival of these all-electric machines looking to exemplify the awareness towards ecological transportation.
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As the automobile world is rapidly transitioning towards electric vehicles, some new manufacturers are emerging and producing reasonably capable electric vehicles. In the meantime, the traditional manufacturers established in internal combustion engines have also considered EV production. Toyota and Subaru are the two new players in the electric SUV segment, with the Solterra and BZ4X. Both vehicles were in the pre-production stages for quite some time, and now they are expected to go on sale during the second quarter of 2022.
It was surprising that big manufacturers like Subaru and Toyota took so long to launch all-electric vehicles. Especially in the case of Toyota, as they have been leading manufacturers of plug-in hybrid vehicles. To put some figures, nearly 30% of all Toyota cars are hybrid or plug-in hybrid. Toyota surprised everyone by collaborating with Subaru and releasing two roughly identical vehicles, the BZ4X and the Solterra. This collaboration might be the ideal match as Subaru brings on a lot of engineering prowess and their experience of off-road vehicles combined with Toyotas highly sophisticated and reliable production capabilities and their expertise in electric cars.
RELATED: Toyota BZ4X: Everything We Know So Far
2023 Subaru Solterra Vs 2023 Toyota BZ4X: A Different Drivetrain
Although these vehicles are nearly identical in every department, a few minor differences set them apart. The Toyota BZ4X offers either a front-wheel-drive or a dual motor AWD system. On the other hand, The Subaru will come with a dual-motor all-wheel-drive system as standard. The difference in drivetrain also affects the range offered by the vehicles, as the Subaru Solterra is expected to offer 220 miles. The all-wheel-drive version of the Toyota will offer the same arrangement, but the base pack front-wheel-drive configuration will offer up to 250 miles. The driving range of these vehicles is fairly competitive and healthy but not class-leading as other manufacturers provide a better range in this segment. The top trim of the Subaru Solterra will also feature the X mode, which is a one-of-a-kind all-wheel-drive operating system that will enable the driver to drive through the most treacherous driving conditions with relative ease. On the other hand, Toyota is yet to confirm if their multi-terrain select traction control systems will be available on the BZ4X. Even if Toyota does offer a drive mode selector, it will be no match to the legendary Subarus X Mode feature.
RELATED: This Walk-Around Video Shows How Awesome The 2023 Subaru Solterra Will Be
2023 Subaru Solterra Vs 2023 Toyota BZ4X: The Big Battery
The fantastic feature about these two vehicles is that they are capable of DC fast charging, which means 80% charge is possible in less than one hour if one can find a supercharger. These vehicles use an electric motor that produces 215 HP and 248 lb-ft of torque. The power output of the batteries is nearly 71-kilowatt-hour and is fairly sufficient for a vehicle of this size and class. These power figures are much better than any other internal combustion engine vehicle in this class. Both these vehicles have their batteries mounted on the floor, giving them a very low center of gravity, but if one chooses to go off-road, the 8.3 Inches of ground clearance should be more than enough to handle the rough stuff pretty quickly.
2023 Subaru Solterra Vs 2023 Toyota BZ4X: High on Tech
The interior of this vehicle is a charming place to be in, and the Crown jewel of the interior happens to be the 12.3-inch touch screen infotainment system. The system supports Android Auto and Apple CarPlay and uses the latest generation of Toyota's latest interface, which rolled out in their entire lineup. Another excellent addition to the long list of features is the 360 degrees birds eye view camera, which gives the driver ample confidence while driving off-road or during parking. As this system is shared with Subaru, this happens to be the first time a Subaru vehicle has been equipped with the system. These vehicles also come with other exciting bits like a full-size panoramic sunroof, digital gauge cluster heads-up display, and ventilated seats for the front passengers. The BZ4X stands for beyond zero as Toyota plans to go carbon-neutral and promote sustainability through its new vehicles.
Toyota and Subaru are known to make some of the most reliable cars in the market; moreover, Subaru even claimed that 96% of all vehicles sold in the past decade are still on the road and running in perfectly fine condition. Adding to the mix is Toyotas trusted R&D department that has been making some of the best hybrid vehicles for over a decade; the 2023 Subaru Solterra and the Toyota BZ4X are undoubtedly two of the most sought-after electric vehicles on the market now and expected to sell in high numbers.
Sources: Subaru, Toyota, Hot cars
