Compare the2023 Toyota Rav4 PrimeVS 2023 Subaru Solterra

Both the Rav4 Prime and the Solterra have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, all wheel drive, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, post-collision automatic braking systems, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning and available around view monitors.

For its top level performance in IIHS driver and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, side impact, roof strength and head restraint tests, its standard vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention system, its standard vehicle-to-pedestrian front crash prevention system, and its standard headlight’s “Good” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the Rav4 Prime its highest rating: “Top Safety Pick Plus” for 2022, a rating granted to only 126 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The Solterra has not been fully tested, yet.

Toyota pays for scheduled maintenance on the Rav4 Prime for 2 years and 25000 miles. Toyota will pay for oil changes, lubrication and any other required maintenance. Subaru doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the Solterra.

There are almost 2 times as many Toyota dealers as there are Subaru dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Rav4 Prime’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Toyota vehicles are better in initial quality than Subaru vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Toyota above average in initial quality. With 19 more problems per 100 vehicles, Subaru is rated below 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 Toyota vehicles are more reliable than Subaru vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Toyota above average in long-term dependability. With 34 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Subaru is rated below average.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2023 Auto Issue reports that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than Subaru vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Toyota first in overall reliability. Subaru is ranked 7th.

The Rav4 Prime’s 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid produces 87 more horsepower (302 vs. 215) than the Solterra’s electric motors.

The Rav4 Prime’s maximum EPA estimated range on a full tank and a full charge is 622 miles, after which it can be refueled at any gas station in minutes. The Solterra’s range is only 222 to 228 miles, after which the minimum time to recharge is 56 minutes for only an 80% charge at a specially configured quick charge station not available in most areas. A full recharge using a conventional 110-volt outlet can take up to 50 hours.

The Rav4 Prime has a standard space-saver spare tire so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn’t available on the Solterra; it requires you to depend on roadside assistance and your vehicle will have to be towed.

For better maneuverability, the Rav4 Prime SE’s turning circle is .6 feet tighter than the Solterra’s (36.1 feet vs. 36.7 feet).

The Rav4 Prime is 3.7 inches shorter than the Solterra, making the Rav4 Prime easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The Rav4 Prime has 3.2 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Solterra (98.9 vs. 95.7).

The Rav4 Prime has 1.5 inches more rear headroom, 2.5 inches more rear legroom, 2.9 inches more rear hip room and .4 inches more rear shoulder room than the Solterra.

The Rav4 Prime has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the Solterra (33.5 vs. 29 cubic feet).

The Rav4 Prime’s cargo area is larger than the Solterra’s in every dimension:

A standard locking glovebox (which can’t be accessed with the valet key) keeps your small valuables safer in the Rav4 Prime. The Solterra doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

To make loading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the Rav4 Prime XSE’s available liftgate can be opened and closed just by kicking your foot under the back bumper, leaving your hands completely free. The Solterra doesn’t offer a hands-free gesture to open its liftgate, forcing you to put cargo down if your hands are full.

The Rav4 Prime has a 2500 lbs. towing capacity. The Solterra has no towing capacity.

The Rav4 Prime has a much higher standard payload capacity than the Solterra (1295 vs. 1045 lbs.).

The Rav4 Prime XSE offers an optional heads-up display that projects speed and navigation instruction readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The Solterra doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the Rav4 Prime has a standard rear wiper. The Solterra doesn’t offer a rear wiper.

The Solterra Limited/Touring’s cornering lamps activate a lamp on the front corner when the turn signal is activated. The Rav4 Prime XSE’s optional adaptive cornering lights turn the actual headlight unit up to several degrees, depending on steering wheel angle and vehicle speed. This lights a significant distance into corners at any speed.

The Rav4 Prime XSE offers an optional 115-volt a/c outlet in the cargo area, allowing you to recharge a laptop or run small household appliances without special adapters that can break or get misplaced. The Solterra doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Toyota Rav4 Prime, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The Toyota Rav4 outsold the Subaru Solterra by over 435 to one during 2022.