Compare the2026 Toyota bZVS 2025 Subaru Solterra

Both the bZ and the Solterra 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.

Toyota pays for scheduled maintenance on the bZ for 2 years and 25000 miles. Toyota will pay for tire rotations, cabin filter replacement, brake fluid replacement, inspections, and any other required maintenance. Subaru doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the Solterra.

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

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the statistics that show that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than Subaru vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Toyota fourth in reliability, above the industry average. With 50 more problems per 100 vehicles, Subaru is ranked 21st.

The bZ XLE Plus/Limited’s standard electric motor produces 6 more horsepower (221 vs. 215) than the Solterra’s electric motors. The bZ’s optional electric motors produces 123 more horsepower (338 vs. 215) than the Solterra’s electric motors.

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

The bZ stops shorter than the Solterra:

The bZ Limited AWD handles at .82 G’s, while the Solterra Touring pulls only .80 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The Toyota bZ may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 50 to 300 pounds less than the Subaru Solterra.

The bZ has a much larger cargo volume than the Solterra with its rear seat up (27.7 vs. 23.8 cubic feet).

To make loading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the bZ’s liftgate can be opened and closed just by kicking your foot under the back bumper, leaving your hands completely free. The Solterra doesn’t offer a hands-free gesture to open its liftgate, forcing you to put cargo down if your hands are full.

The bZ’s standard Smart Key System allow you to unlock the doors from any outside door handle, open the cargo door, and start the vehicle, all without removing the key from the pocket or purse. Keyless Access and Start standard on the Solterra doesn’t offer a sensor on the rear doors, so you’ll have to reach a front handle to unlock the rear door. Keyless Access and Start is not available on the Solterra Touring/Onyx.

The bZ’s rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The Solterra Premium’s standard manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

The Toyota bZ has power folding mirrors that offer unparalleled convenience while maneuvering in tight places or parked. With the mirrors folded it’s easier to walk past and help prevent parking damage. The mirrors can be quickly unfolded when the driver is ready to leave. Power folding mirrors are only offered on the Solterra Limited/Touring/Onyx.

The bZ has a standard heated steering wheel to take the chill out of steering on extremely cold winter days before the vehicle heater warms up. A heated steering wheel is only available on the Solterra Limited/Touring/Onyx.

The Toyota bZ has a standard Homelink wireless remote control system for garage door operation and device management, conveniently located on the rear view mirror. Homelink® eliminates the need for separate garage door openers and associated risks of losing, breaking, or having dead batteries. Subaru charges extra for Homelink® on the Solterra.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Toyota bZ has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console for up to two separate devices. Wireless charging costs extra on the Solterra, and only charges one device.

The bZ is available in both front-wheel drive and four-wheel drive configurations. The Solterra doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

The Toyota bZ outsold the Subaru Solterra by 48% during 2024.