Compare the2026 Subaru SolterraVS 2026 Volvo EX40

The Subaru Solterra has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags help prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The EX40 doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

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 EX40.

The Subaru Solterra’s rear backup camera has a standard washer for maintaining a clear view under various conditions. In contrast, the Volvo EX40 does not offer a rear camera washer, meaning its effectiveness relies on manual cleaning by the user when necessary.

Both the Solterra and the EX40 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver 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.

Side impacts caused 23% of all road fatalities in 2018, down from 29% in 2003, when the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety introduced its side barrier test. In order to continue improving vehicle safety, the IIHS has started using a more severe side impact test: 37 MPH (up from 31 MPH), with a 4180-pound barrier (up from 3300 pounds). The results of this newly developed test demonstrates that the Subaru Solterra is safer than the EX40:

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 EX40 is not even a standard “Top Safety Pick” for 2025.

Subaru’s powertrain warranty covers the Solterra 1 year and 10,000 miles longer than Volvo covers the EX40. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 5 years or 60,000 miles. Coverage on the EX40 ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

There are over 2 times as many Subaru dealers as there are Volvo dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Solterra’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Subaru vehicles are better in initial quality than Volvo vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Subaru above average in initial quality. With 71 more problems per 100 vehicles, Volvo is rated below average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Subaru vehicles are more reliable than Volvo With 30 fewer problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, J.D. Power ranks Subaru higher than Volvo.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ March 2025 Auto Issue reports that Subaru vehicles are more reliable than Volvo vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Subaru first in overall reliability. Volvo is ranked 15th.

The Solterra XT’s standard electric motors produces 90 more horsepower (338 vs. 248) than the EX40 Single Motor’s standard electric motor.

On the EPA test cycle the Solterra gets better mileage than the EX40:

The Solterra can travel longer on a full charge than the EX40 on a full charge:

The Solterra’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the EX40 are solid, not vented.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Solterra’s wheelbase is 5.8 inches longer than on the EX40 (112.2 inches vs. 106.4 inches).

For better maneuverability, the Solterra’s turning circle is .7 feet tighter than the EX40’s (36.7 feet vs. 37.4 feet).

For greater off-road capability the Solterra has a 1.4 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the EX40 (8.3 vs. 6.9 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 EX40 doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The Solterra has 1.2 inches more front headroom, 1.2 inches more front legroom and 1.3 inches more front shoulder room than the EX40.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the Solterra’s rear seats recline. The EX40’s rear seats don’t recline.

The Solterra has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the EX40 with its rear seat up (23.8 vs. 18.9 cubic feet). The Solterra has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the EX40 with its rear seat folded (63.5 vs. 57.5 cubic feet).

The Solterra’s cargo area is larger than the EX40’s in almost every dimension:

The Solterra has a higher standard payload capacity than the EX40 (1045 vs. 960 lbs.).

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Subaru service is better than Volvo. J.D. Power ranks Subaru third in service department satisfaction. With a 36% lower rating, Volvo is ranked 23rd.

The Solterra’s standard easy entry system glides the driver’s seat back, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The EX40 doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

To shield the driver and front passenger’s vision over a larger portion of the windshield and side windows, the Solterra has standard extendable sun visors. The EX40 doesn’t offer extendable visors.

Standard air-conditioned seats in the Solterra Touring XT keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The EX40 doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

The Subaru Solterra stands out above the Volvo EX40 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.

The Solterra Limited/Touring has a 115-volt a/c outlet in the cargo area, allowing you to recharge a laptop or run small household appliances without special adapters that can break or get misplaced. The EX40 doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

The Solterra Limited/Touring’s Advanced Park can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. The EX40 doesn’t offer an automated parking system.