Compare the2023 Subaru Solterra VS 2023 Nissan Ariya

The Solterra has a standard Secondary Collision Brake, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The Ariya doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

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 Ariya.

Both the Solterra and the Ariya have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, 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 Ariya has not been tested, yet.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2023 Auto Issue reports that Subaru vehicles are more reliable than Nissan vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Subaru 8 places higher in reliability than Nissan.

The Solterra’s electric motors produces 1 more horsepower (215 vs. 214) and 28 lbs.-ft. more torque (249 vs. 221) than the Ariya’s standard electric motor. The Solterra’s electric motors produces 28 lbs.-ft. more torque (249 vs. 221) than the Ariya +/Premier’s standard electric motor.

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

			MPGe
Solterra
	AWD	Premium Electric Motors	114 city/94 hwy
		Limited/Touring Electric Motors	111 city/93 hwy
Ariya
	FWD	Venture+ Electric Motor	111 city/95 hwy
		Electric Motor	109 city/94 hwy
		Evolve+/Empower+/Premier Electric Motor	105 city/91 hwy

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Solterra’s wheelbase is 2.9 inches longer than on the Ariya (112.2 inches vs. 109.3 inches).

The front grille of the Solterra uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The Ariya doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The Solterra has .7 inches more front shoulder room and .1 inches more rear shoulder room than the Ariya.

The Solterra has a much larger cargo volume than the Ariya with its rear seat up (29 vs. 22.8 cubic feet).

The Solterra has a standard remote vehicle starting system, so the vehicle can be started from inside the driver's house. This allows the driver to comfortably warm up the engine before going out to the vehicle. The climate system will also automatically heat or cool the interior. The Ariya doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

The Solterra’s front and rear power windows all open or close fully with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The Ariya’s rear power window switches have to be held the entire time to open or close them fully.

To help drivers avoid possible obstacles, the Solterra Limited/Touring has standard cornering lights to illuminate around corners when the turn signals are activated. The Ariya doesn’t offer cornering lights.

The Solterra Limited/Touring’s Advanced Park can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. The Ariya Premiere/Platinum+’s automatic parking system requires operating the brakes and transmission to safely park.

The Subaru Solterra outsold the Nissan Ariya by almost five to one during 2022.