Compare the2025 Subaru SolterraVS 2025 Toyota bZ4X

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, Full-Time Four-Wheel Drive is standard on the Solterra. But it costs extra on the bZ4X.

Both the Solterra and the bZ4X have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, post-collision automatic braking systems, 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.

The Subaru Solterra has achieved the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) highest rating of “Top Safety Pick Plus” for the 2025 model year. This distinction is based on its exceptional performance in IIHS’ rigorous battery of safety tests. Specifically, it earned a “Good” rating in the latest, more stringent moderate overlap front crash test, a “Good” result in the updated side impact test, and a “Good” score in the revised pedestrian crash prevention test. The bZ4X is not even a standard “Top Safety Pick” for 2025.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Subaru vehicles are better in initial quality than Toyota vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Subaru above average in initial quality. With 9 more problems per 100 vehicles, Toyota is rated lower.

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

The Solterra’s electric motors produces 14 more horsepower (215 vs. 201) and 53 lbs.-ft. more torque (249 vs. 196) than the bZ4X’s standard electric motor. The Solterra’s electric motors produces 1 more horsepower (215 vs. 214) and 1 lbs.-ft. more torque (249 vs. 248) than the bZ4X’s optional electric motors.

As tested in Car and Driver the Subaru Solterra is faster than the Toyota bZ4X electric motors:

On the EPA test cycle the Solterra Premium gets better mileage than the bZ4X Limited/Nightshade AWD (114 city/94 hwy vs. 112 city/92 hwy MPGe).

The Solterra Premium can travel longer on a full charge than the bZ4X Limited/Nightshade AWD (227 miles vs. 222 miles).

The Solterra has a standard locking charge port which locks and unlocks with the power locks. The bZ4X doesn’t have a locking charge port. A locking charge port prevents tampering and damage.

The Solterra stops shorter than the bZ4X:

For better maneuverability, the Solterra’s turning circle is 3.3 feet tighter than the bZ4X’s (36.7 feet vs. 40 feet).

For greater off-road capability the Solterra has a greater minimum ground clearance than the bZ4X (8.3 vs. 8.1 inches), allowing the Solterra to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The front grille of the Solterra uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The bZ4X doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The Solterra has .2 inches more front headroom and .9 inches more rear headroom than the bZ4X.

The Solterra has a larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the bZ4X with its rear seat folded (63.5 vs. 56.9 cubic feet).

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Subaru service is better than Toyota. J.D. Power ranks Subaru third in service department satisfaction. With a 38% lower rating, Toyota is ranked 24th.

When two different drivers share the Solterra Limited/Touring/Onyx, 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 bZ4X doesn’t offer a memory system.

The Solterra Limited/Touring/Onyx’s standard easy entry system glides the driver’s seat back when the door is unlocked or the ignition is switched off, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The bZ4X doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

To help drivers avoid possible obstacles, the Solterra Limited/Touring has standard cornering lights to illuminate around corners when the turn signals are activated. The bZ4X doesn’t offer cornering lights.

When the Solterra Limited/Touring/Onyx is put in reverse, both rearview mirrors tilt from their original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirrors into their original positions. The bZ4X’s mirrors don’t automatically adjust for backing.

Both the Subaru Solterra and Toyota bZ4X offer exterior mirrors that can be folded to provide convenience. The Solterra offers available power folding mirrors, which allow for easy, one-touch folding or unfolding at the driver’s discretion. This provides added convenience when maneuvering or parking, as well as when walking past the parked vehicle. In comparison, the bZ4X’s foldable mirrors are manual, requiring the driver to get out and physically fold them once parked and unfold them before getting in.