Compare the2023 Chevrolet BoltVS 2023 Subaru Solterra

Both the Bolt and the Solterra have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras, available blind spot warning systems, around view monitors and rear cross-path warning.

The Bolt’s corrosion warranty is 1 year longer than the Solterra’s (6 vs. 5 years).

There are almost 5 times as many Chevrolet dealers as there are Subaru dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Bolt’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Chevrolet vehicles are better in initial quality than Subaru vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Chevrolet third in initial quality, above the industry average. With 44 more problems per 100 vehicles, Subaru is ranked 20th, below the industry average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Chevrolet vehicles are more reliable than Subaru vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Chevrolet above average in long-term dependability. With 21 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Subaru is rated below average.

The Bolt’s electric motor produces 17 lbs.-ft. more torque (266 vs. 249) than the Solterra’s electric motors.

On the EPA test cycle the Bolt gets better mileage than the Solterra:

The Bolt can travel longer on a full charge than the Solterra on a full charge:

The Bolt’s tires provide better handling because they have a lower 50 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Solterra Premium’s standard 60 series tires.

The Bolt has a standard easy tire fill system. When inflating the tires, the vehicle’s integrated tire pressure sensors keep track of the pressure as the tires fill and tell the driver when the tires are inflated to the proper pressure. The Solterra doesn’t offer vehicle monitored tire inflation.

Having a flat tire is dangerous, inconvenient and expensive. The self-sealing tires standard on the Bolt can automatically seal most punctures up to 3/16 of an inch, effectively preventing most flat tires. The Solterra doesn’t offer self-sealing tires.

For better maneuverability, the Bolt’s turning circle is 1.9 feet tighter than the Solterra’s (34.8 feet vs. 36.7 feet).

The Chevrolet Bolt may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 800 to 900 pounds less than the Subaru Solterra.

The Bolt is 1 foot, 9.4 inches shorter than the Solterra, making the Bolt easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The Bolt has 1.3 inches more front headroom, 2.2 inches more front legroom, .7 inches more rear legroom and 5.8 inches more rear hip room than the Solterra.

The Bolt’s power window, power lock, power mirror and cruise control switches are lit from behind, making them plainly visible and easier to operate at night. The Solterra’s power window (except driver window) and power lock switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the Bolt has a standard rear wiper. The Solterra doesn’t offer a rear wiper.

The Bolt was chosen as a Car and Driver’s “Top Ten” for 2017. The Solterra has never been chosen by Car and Driver in their “10Best” issue.

A group of representative automotive journalists from North America selected the Bolt as the 2017 North American Car of the Year. The Solterra has never been chosen.

The Chevrolet Bolt outsold the Subaru Solterra by over 41 to one during 2022.