The Toyota bZ4X is finally here after months of teasers. The bZ4X is supposed to be the future of Toyota compact SUVs. Thus far, it hasn’t gotten the warmest reception. Here’s why the Subaru Solterra could make a bigger impact than the Toyota bZ4X.

The Subaru Solterra is a different type of electric SUV than the bZ4X

The Subaru Solterra has the same platform as the Toyota bZ4X. Many critics claim that the Solterra is identical to the Toyota bZ4X. Its specs and dimensions may be nearly identical, but the marketing behind the Solterra is completely different from the bZ4X.

The Solterra is meant to stay true to its off-roading heritage and follow in the footsteps of other capable Subaru off-road SUVs. Most images of the 2023 Subaru Solterra feature the electric SUV in mud or on rocks. Subaru shows the Solterra on rough terrain.

The main difference between the Subaru Solterra and the Toyota bZ4X is that the Solterra is supposed to be more adept at taking the road less traveled. The main selling point of the bZ4X seems to be the reliability of its battery. Toyota has highlighted the reliability of the bZ4X battery above all other features because electric vehicles have had plenty of battery reliability issues thus far.

The Solterra was never meant to be the quickest electric SUV with the longest range

Quickness and driving range are two of the main factors that consumers look at when considering an electric vehicle. The Solterra isn’t the quickest electric SUV. It doesn’t have the most driving range.

Subaru’s marketing made it clear that the Solterra’s main function is to provide a practical driving experience through different types of driving conditions. It’s one of the few electric SUVs on the market targeting a demographic of buyers that regularly explore and enjoy the great outdoors.

Since the Solterra’s strengths and shortcomings have been made so clear, many consumers can easily manage their expectations of the EV. The Toyota bZ4X is a different story. Toyota has produced the most popular compact SUV on the market (the Toyota RAV4). Expectations for the bZ4X are sky-high, especially since it will be the cornerstone of the brand’s electric future. According to U.S. News & World Report, the Subaru Solterra has 8.3 inches of ground clearance, hill ascent and descent assist, and different drive modes as well as standard all-wheel drive.

Reasonable expectations could make the Subaru Solterra a pleasant surprise

The Subaru Solterra could potentially make a huge splash in a niche market as one of the few electric SUVs with any real off-road capability. Many Subaru fans will also want to experience the Solterra simply because it’s the first electric Subaru SUV.

The Toyota bZ4X isn’t competitive when pitted against popular electric SUVs like the Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Ford Mustang Mach-E. Since it doesn’t occupy a clear niche like the Solterra does it’s compared to electric SUVs that have more range and power. As long as the Solterra is one of the only electric off-road SUVs on the market, it has a much better chance of making a big impact than the bZ4X does.

Read more about the Subaru Solterra in the next article below.