Compare the2026 Subaru SolterraVS 2026 Lexus RZ

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Fuel Economy and Range
Brakes and Stopping
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Ergonomics
Recommendations

Safety

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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 RZ.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the Solterra has standard Rear Cross Traffic Alert with Parking Support Brake, systems which detect vehicles approaching from the sides and can automatically apply the brakes to prevent a collision. Only the RZ Premium/Luxury/F Sport offers Parking Support Brake.

Both the Solterra and the RZ 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 National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Subaru Solterra is safer than the Lexus RZ:

	Solterra	RZ
	Passenger
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	227	263
Chest Compression	.5 inches	.6 inches
Neck Stress	130 lbs.	202 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	223/195 lbs.	540/524 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Subaru Solterra is safer than the Lexus RZ:

	Solterra	RZ
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Chest Movement	.4 inches	.5 inches
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
Max Damage Depth	9 inches	10 inches
Spine Acceleration	38 G’s	49 G’s
Hip Force	899 lbs.	974 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

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 RZ has not yet been fully evaluated by the IIHS for 2025.

Warranty

There are almost 3 times as many Subaru dealers as there are Lexus dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Solterra’s warranty.

Reliability

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

Fuel Economy and Range

The Solterra can travel longer on a full charge than the RZ on a full charge:

			Miles
Solterra
	AWD	Premium Electric Motors	288 miles
		Limited Electric Motors	278 miles
		XT Electric Motors	278 miles
RZ
	FWD	w/20" Wheels Electric Motor	284 miles
	AWD	450e w/18" Wheels Electric Motors	264 miles
		450e w/20" Wheels Electric Motors	257 miles

Brakes and Stopping

The Solterra stops shorter than the RZ:

	Solterra	RZ
60 to 0 MPH	135 feet	138 feet	Consumer Reports
60 to 0 MPH (Wet)	145 feet	158 feet	Consumer Reports

Suspension and Handling

For greater off-road capability the Solterra has a greater minimum ground clearance than the RZ (8.3 vs. 7.9 inches), allowing the Solterra to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

Chassis

The Solterra is 4.6 inches shorter than the RZ, making the Solterra easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

Passenger Space

The Solterra has .2 inches more front headroom, 1.1 inches more front shoulder room and .7 inches more rear shoulder room than the RZ.

Cargo Capacity

The Solterra has a larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the RZ with its rear seat folded (63.5 vs. 55.6 cubic feet).

The Solterra’s cargo area is larger than the RZ’s in almost every dimension:

	Solterra	RZ
Length to seat (2nd/1st)	47”/75”	37.5”/73.5”
Max Width	50.4”	59”
Min Width	38.1”	39.5”
Height	36.5”	30.5”

Ergonomics

The power windows standard on both the Solterra and the RZ have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the Solterra is engaged the driver can still operate all of the windows, for instance to close one opened by a child. The RZ prevents the driver from operating the other windows just as it does the other passengers.

If the windows are left open on the Solterra the driver can close all of them at the outside door handle. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows at the outside door handle or from a distance using the keyless remote. (This window function must be activated by your Subaru service department.) The driver of the RZ can only close the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) conducts detailed tests on headlights for their range both straight ahead and in curves and to be certain they don’t exceed acceptable amounts of glare to oncoming drivers. The Solterra’s headlights were rated “Good” by the IIHS, while the RZ’s headlights are rated “Acceptable.”

The Subaru Solterra stands out above the Lexus RZ by offering not one, but two Qi-compatible phone chargers. This convenience helps travelers with multiple devices to keep powered up on-the-go. Wireless charging eliminates lost or cluttered charging cables and two of them provide more flexibility. Both vehicles also offer Qi charging for the rear passengers.

Recommendations

The Subaru Solterra outsold the Lexus RZ by 23% during 2024.

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