Compare the2024 Subaru SolterraVS 2025 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 i4 have rear cross-traffic warning, but the Solterra has Parking Support Brake (automatically applies the brakes) to better prevent a collision when backing near traffic. The i4’s Cross Traffic Warning doesn’t automatically brake.

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.

The Subaru Solterra has achieved the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) highest rating of “Top Safety Pick Plus” for the 2024 model year. This distinction is based on its exceptional performance in IIHS’ rigorous battery of safety tests. Specifically, it earned a “Good” rating in the latest, more stringent moderate overlap front crash test, a “Good” result in the updated side impact test, and a “Good” score in the revised pedestrian crash prevention test. The i4 has not yet been evaluated by the IIHS for 2024.

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

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Subaru vehicles are better in initial quality than BMW vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Subaru above average in initial quality. With 23 more problems per 100 vehicles, BMW is rated below average.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2024 Auto Issue reports that Subaru vehicles are more reliable than BMW vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Subaru 3 places higher in reliability than BMW.

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

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 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.).

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Subaru service is better than BMW. J.D. Power ranks Subaru 7th in service department satisfaction (above the industry average). With a 15% lower rating, BMW is ranked 13th.

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.