Compare the2023 Subaru SolterraVS 2023 BMW i4

For enhanced safety, the front seat shoulder belts of the Subaru Solterra are height-adjustable to accommodate a wide variety of driver and passenger heights. A better fit can prevent injuries and the increased comfort also encourages passengers to buckle up. The BMW i4 doesn’t offer height-adjustable seat belts.

In the past twenty years hundreds of infants and young children have died after being left in vehicles, usually by accident. When turning the vehicle off, drivers of the Solterra are reminded to check the back seat if they opened the rear door before starting out. The i4 doesn’t offer a back seat reminder.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, Full-Time Four-Wheel Drive is standard on the Solterra. But it costs extra on the i4.

When descending a steep, off-road slope, the Solterra’s standard Downhill Assist Control allows you to creep down safely. The i4 doesn’t offer Downhill Assist Control.

Both the Solterra and the i4 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, post-collision automatic braking systems, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors and available around view monitors.

For its performance in IIHS driver-side and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, updated side impact, headlight, daytime pedestrian crash prevention, and nighttime pedestrian crash prevention testing, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the Solterra its highest rating: “Top Safety Pick Plus” for 2023, a rating granted to only 29 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The i4 has not been tested, yet.

Subaru’s powertrain warranty covers the Solterra 1 year and 10,000 miles longer than BMW covers the i4. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 5 years or 60,000 miles. Coverage on the i4 ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

There are over 80 percent more Subaru dealers than there are BMW dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Solterra’s warranty.

On the EPA test cycle the Solterra gets better mileage than the i4:

The Solterra Premium can travel longer on a full charge than the i4 M50 20" Wheels (228 miles vs. 227 miles).

For better traction, the Solterra has larger tires than the i4 (235/60R18 vs. 225/50R18).

For better maneuverability, the Solterra’s turning circle is 4.3 feet tighter than the i4’s (36.7 feet vs. 41 feet).

The Subaru Solterra may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 300 to 500 pounds less than the BMW i4.

The Solterra is 3.9 inches shorter than the i4, making the Solterra easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The Solterra has 5.7 cubic feet more passenger volume than the i4 (95.7 vs. 90).

The Solterra has .6 inches more front headroom, .6 inches more front legroom, 2.6 inches more front shoulder room, 1.4 inches more rear headroom, 1.1 inches more rear legroom and 1.7 inches more rear shoulder room than the i4.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the Solterra’s rear seats recline. The i4’s rear seats don’t recline.

The Solterra has a higher standard payload capacity than the i4 (1045 vs. 933 lbs.).

The Solterra Limited/Touring’s standard easy entry system glides the driver’s seat back when the door is unlocked or the ignition is switched off, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The i4 doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

To shield the driver and front passenger’s vision over a larger portion of the windshield and side windows, the Solterra has standard extendable sun visors. The i4 doesn’t offer extendable visors.

The Solterra has standard heated front seats. Heated front seats cost extra on the i4. The Solterra Limited/Touring also has standard heated rear seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren’t available in the i4.