Are the 2023 Toyota bZ4X and Subaru Solterra the Same?
The 2023 Toyota bZ4X and 2023 Subaru Solterra share many of the same attributes. That makes sense since Toyota and Subaru worked together on these electric SUVs. So when it comes to the Toyota bZ4X price and the Subaru Solterra price, which brand offers more bang for your buck?
Are the 2023 Subaru Solterra and Toyota bZ4X the Same?
Consumer Reports recently did a deep dive 2023 Subaru Solterra. During that deep dive, much of the time was spent comparing it to the 2023 Toyota bZ4X. These vehicles are very, very similar, but not the same. Much like the Subaru BRZ and Toyota GR86, the difference between these cars is relatively small.
“So into this competitive market comes the Solterra, which, like the bZ4X, is a competent if unexciting entry that has some things going for it but a number of shortcomings.”
Consumer Reports
Neither one has completed the official Consumer Reports testing, but the experts rented the Solterra this week to see how it went. Edmunds suggested previously that the Solterra SUV was too expensive to be an off-roading SUV, despite its AWD capability.
| Vehicle | 2023 Toyota bZ4X | 2023 Subaru Solterra |
| Starting MSRP | $43,215 | $44,995 |
| Trim levels | XLE: $43,215; Limited: $47,915 | Premium: $44,995; Limited: $48,495; Touring: $51,995 |
| EPA range | XLE FWD/AWD: 252/228 miles; Limited FWD/AWD: 242/222 miles | AWD: 220-228 miles |
| Horsepower | 201 hp | 215 hp |
| Torque | 196 lb.-ft. | 249 lb.-ft |
| $7,500 Federal tax credit | Yes | Yes |
Toyota didn’t really lean into anything other than making a comprehensive electric vehicle. That tends to be the brand’s modus operandi anyway.
The 2023 Toyota bZ4X and Subaru Solterra pricing
First impressions of the Subaru Solterra make it seem a bit like the brand wasn’t fully ready to produce a battery-electric vehicle. It has a smaller battery and a 6.6kW onboard charger, which slows the charging speed. Important information like the State of Charge (SoC) and range info are not always displayed on the instrument cluster.
One of the main benefits of this shared electric vehicle is that Subaru and Toyota created a specific platform for it. That means it has a lot of room for passengers and cargo because of the smart placement of everything.
The Toyota bZ4X offers all-wheel drive as an option, while the Subaru Solterra has it standard. The Subaru SUV also has a few more trim levels for buyers to choose from while the Toyota only offers two. The bZ4x XLE trim starts at $43,215, with the Limited trim starting at $47,915. The Solterra Premium trim starts at $44,995, followed by the Limited at $48,495 and the Touring at $51,995.
Pick an electric vehicle, any electric vehicle
The all-wheel drive of the 2023 Subaru Solterra handles better than the front-wheel-drive Toyota. Both are fun to drive but don’t have that much horsepower to utilize. In addition, both vehicles have an annoying sound while in reverse. Neither of these electric vehicles needed such an alarm.
The biggest drawback of the Solterra is the price and the range. For almost $50,000, a 222-mile estimated range from the Environmental Protection Agency is short. The AWD offering is nice, especially for those who expect a multi-purpose vehicle like Subaru is known for. The 2023 bZ4X is going to be your baseline reliable electric vehicle from Toyota, which is what the brand is known for. q
