Thanks to a shared EV platform, the Subaru Solterra
and the Toyota bZ4X are almost exactly the same. The first electric cars
for both automakers in a while, very little distinguishes them from each other. The most obvious difference between them happens to be their sticker prices. While a bZ4X starts at about $42,000, the Solterra starts at nearly $45,000. That price gap might have consumers rushing to Toyota and leaving Solterras to collect dust at the dealership, but a little loophole makes the choice between the two EVs a little harder to make.
Which electric vehicle is truly the most cost-effective to own? Jerry
, your car ownership super app
, found the answers. Tax credits can make the Subaru Solterra more affordable than the Toyota bZ4X
Judging purely on the starting prices, it might difficult to argue buying a Subaru Solterra over a Toyota bZ4X. The only improvements the Solterra has over its competitor is an extra 0.2 inches of ground clearance and standard AWD—which you can add to the bZ4X and still pay less.
But the real difference boils down to accessibility to the $7,500 federal tax credit for new EVs. Because the credit can only apply to 200,000 models per automaker, Toyota buyers
are much closer to losing their eligibility. The tax credit’s savings depend on how high your tax bill is at the end of the year, so weighing the cost of each vehicle comes down to each driver’s financial situation. But if you pay more than $3,000 in federal taxes each year, the Subaru Solterra could be the cheaper option.
Pricing aside, which electric SUV is better?
It’s pretty hard to judge between the Subaru Solterra
and the Toyota bZ4X because their details are almost identical. Built on the same e-TNGA platform, they offer the same power and the same range—a modest 228-mile maximum range. That distance might be enough for owners of the front-wheel drive bZ4X running errands in town, but for Verge
writer Michell Clark, it doesn’t quite suit Subaru’s “go anywhere” ethos. He says he couldn’t rely on the Solterra to get him to and from his favorite backpacking locations. But the Solterra might have one up on the bZ4X in terms of style. To Clark, the Subaru’s grille design seemed more appealing—not to mention its more pronounceable name.
Subaru vs. Toyota: ownership costs
Beyond the prices at the dealership, Subaru tends to win on long-term ownership costs. The off-road focused brand has a better resale-value track record, and its car insurance
rates, though similar to Toyota’s, average about $100 cheaper annually as well. That said, average coverage for electric SUVS tends to overshadow the differences between these two automakers, and other factors like your choice of provider also make a bigger difference.
That’s why it’s always best to shop for quotes online
with Jerry before choosing a policy. A licensed broker that offers end-to-end support, the Jerry app gathers affordable quotes, helps you switch plans, and can even help you cancel your old policy. And to ensure you always have the lowest rate, Jerry
will send you new quotes every time your policy comes up for renewal, so you’re always getting the coverage you want at the best price. This level of service is why Jerry earned a 4.6/5 rating on the App Store and made it the top insurance app in the country.
MORE: Subaru Knows How To Make SUVs That Customers Love
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