Electric vehicles are more popular than ever, and Subaru has jumped into the EV market with its 2023 Subaru Solterra. However, the company has now become a direct competitor with the Tesla Model Y. While you might expect Tesla’s vehicle to come out on top in any comparison because of its longevity in the industry, it turns out that the Solterra has some advantages over the Model Y. 

Here’s what the 2023 Subaru Solterra has to offer

Subaru designed the 2023 Solterra in tandem with Toyota. The Subaru EV offers the same platform and powertrain as the Toyota bZ4X. The car comes with dual-electric motors capable of 215 hp and 249 lb-ft of torque. 

Like many Subarus, the Solterra offers several features helpful for off-roading. These include all-wheel drive, hill-start assist, grip control, and more. The driving range on the car is expected to be 228 miles for the Premium trim and 222 miles for the Limited and Touring trims. 

The fuel economy on the Solterra is impressive, which isn’t surprising, given that it’s an EV. The Premium trim gets an estimated 94 MPGe in the city and 114 MPGe on the highway. Meanwhile, the Limited and Touring trims come in at 93 MPGe city and 111MPGe on the highway for a combined 102 MPGe.

Advantages of the 2023 Subaru Solterra over the Tesla Model Y

If you’re trying to decide between the 2023 Subaru Solterra and the Tesla Model Y, you’ll find that the Solterra brings at least two distinct advantages, according to J.D. Power. The first is in the area of price and value. The Solterra Premium has a base MSRP of $46,220, including the $1,225 destination charge.

In comparison, the base 2022 Tesla Model Y Long Range has an MSRP of $67,190, including the $1,200 destination fee. Don’t let that price differential fool you, however. The Solterra still comes with an impressive number of bells and whistles, including LED headlights, heated front seats, dual-zone automatic climate control, heated exterior mirrors, and a windshield wiper de-icer, to name just a few.

Another area where J.D. Power finds the Solterra superior to the Model Y is in the category of performance and efficiency. In addition to its off-roading capabilities, which include its impressive ground clearance and all-terrain-oriented electronic modes, the Solterra offers efficiency when it comes to charging. Thanks to its DC fast-charging capabilities, it can charge up to 80 percent in just an hour. 

The specs you’ll get with the 2022 Tesla Model Y

If you end up shelling out more dough for a 2022 Tesla Model Y, what will that money get you? For starters, you’ll get a dual-motor all-wheel drive system capable of reaching speeds up to 155 mph. You’ll also accelerate to 60 mph in under five seconds.  

As for range, longer trips aren’t out of the question with the Model Y. Expect to be able to travel up to 330 miles before needing to recharge. Then there’s the question of efficiency: the Model Y gets an estimated 127 city MPGe in the city and  117 MPGe on the highway. The Model Y also comes with the standard suite of Tesla technology, including Tesla Sentry Mode, Full Self-Driving, heated seats, and live traffic visualization. 

Given the significant advantage Subaru has over Tesla regarding price and performance, it won’t be surprising if the new Subaru starts to offer Elon Musk some stiff competition in the growing EV market.