2026 Subaru Solterra vs the Competition

Ford applied its iconic name to a four-door electric SUV while adding elements of the pony car’s design. Yet it is practical and offers advanced features not found in its muscle-car namesake. It comes in single-motor rear-wheel-drive and dual-motor all-wheel-drive models.

• The Solterra offers more cargo space than the Mustang Mach-E with the rear seats down. You can load the Subaru with up to 63.5 cubic feet of everything. The Ford offers up to 59.7 cubic feet of cargo space.
• Subaru has always offered higher ground clearance across all its models with Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive to allow them to travel farther from the highway. The Solterra stands 8.3 inches off the surface, while the Mustang Mach-E with all-wheel drive only has a 5.7-inch ground clearance. 
• The standard Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive system on the Solterra is a full-time system. It also includes X-Mode with Downhill Assist Control. The Mustang Mach-E’s all-wheel-drive system is not only an option but an on-demand system.
• When equipped with roof rails, your SUV can be loaded with accessories to enhance the practicality of your adventure. That is why all Solterra models have standard roof rails. The Mustang Mach-E is not equipped with them. 
• The Solterra is one of the better values among all-wheel-drive EV SUVs. Compared to comparable base models, it is $1,000 less than the lowest-priced Mustang Mach-E with dual-motor all-wheel drive.

As a smaller crossover, the IONIQ 5 has set the standard for Hyundai with its e-GMP platform. The hatchback/crossover is available with a single- or dual-motor driveline, two battery sizes, and five trim levels.

• The Solterra offers more cargo space than the IONIQ 5 with the rear seats down. You can load the Subaru with up to 63.5 cubic feet of stuff. The Hyundai offers up to 58.5 cubic feet of cargo space. 
• Subaru has always offered higher ground clearance across all its models with Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive to allow them to travel farther from the highway. The Solterra stands 8.3 inches off the ground, while the IONIQ 5 XRT with all-wheel drive has only 7.0 inches of ground clearance.
• The standard Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive system on the Solterra is a full-time system. It also includes X-Mode with Downhill Assist Control. The IONIQ 5’s all-wheel-drive system is only an option and is on-demand, with some Terrain modes available on the XRT model.
• The IONIQ 5 features a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen that offers plenty of connectivity and controls. The Solterra is equipped with a larger 14.0-inch Multimedia Navigation System standard on all trim levels.
• The Solterra is one of the better values among all-wheel-drive EV SUVs. Based on comparable base models, it is over $2,500 less expensive than the lowest-priced Ariya with dual-motor all-wheel drive.

Updated for 2026, Toyota’s EV SUV shares plenty with the Solterra, though there are a few differences. It comes in both a single-motor and dual-motor driveline, with just two trim levels available – XLE and Limited.

• The Solterra’s Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive system is standard on all trims. The Toyota offers a single-motor system standard, offering the dual-motor all-wheel drive as an option. 
• Subaru has always offered higher ground clearance across all its models with Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive to allow them to travel farther from the highway. The Solterra stands 8.3 inches off the ground, while the bZ has only 8.1 inches of ground clearance. A slight difference, but it does change how the Subaru handles surfaces away from the highway. 
• Having more power matters. The Solterra’s standard dual-motor driveline has a total system horsepower rating of 233. The bZ’s single motor driveline offers a standard rating of 221 total system horsepower. 
• There is a wider range of trim levels available for the Solterra than for the bZ. The fifth trim level offers more luxury, with real leather interior in the Touring XT Leather model.
• Solterra is one of the better values among all-wheel-drive EV SUVs. Based on comparable base models, the price difference between it and the lowest-priced bZ with dual-motor all-wheel drive is $1,500.

The Volkswagen battery-electric SUV exhibits the best in German engineering. This Tennessee-made vehicle is available with two battery sizes and a choice of single-motor front-wheel drive or dual-motor all-wheel-drive models.

• Front-seat occupants will enjoy a more spacious environment in the Solterra. In fact, it has more front legroom (42.1 inches vs. 41.1 inches) and shoulder room (57.8 inches vs. 57.4 inches) than in the ID.4.
• Subaru has always offered higher ground clearance across all its models with Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive to allow them to travel farther from the highway. The Solterra has 8.3 inches of ground clearance, while the ID.4 with all-wheel drive has only 6.9 inches.
• The standard Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive system on the Solterra is a full-time system. It also includes X-Mode with Downhill Assist Control. The ID.4’s all-wheel-drive system is only an option and does not include hill descent control.
• Based on crash testing by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, the Solterra earned the Top Safety Pick+ designation for 2026. The ID.4 only received the Top Safety Pick award in its most recent IIHS crash test.
• The Solterra is one of the better values among all-wheel-drive EV SUVs. Based on comparable base models, it is $10,500 less expensive than the lowest-priced ID.4 with dual-motor all-wheel drive.