Compare the2024 Subaru SolterraVS 2025 Volvo EC40

The Subaru Solterra has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags helps prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The EC40 doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

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 EC40.

Both the Solterra and the EC40 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, 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 EC40 has not yet been fully evaluated by the IIHS for 2024.

Subaru’s powertrain warranty covers the Solterra 1 year and 10,000 miles longer than Volvo covers the EC40. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 5 years or 60,000 miles. Coverage on the EC40 ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

There are over 2 times as many Subaru dealers as there are Volvo 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 Volvo vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Subaru above average in initial quality. With 59 more problems per 100 vehicles, Volvo is rated below average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Subaru vehicles are more reliable than Volvo With 47 fewer problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, J.D. Power ranks Subaru higher than Volvo.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2024 Auto Issue reports that Subaru vehicles are more reliable than Volvo vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Subaru 19 places higher in reliability than Volvo.

On the EPA test cycle the Solterra gets better mileage than the EC40:

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Solterra’s wheelbase is 5.8 inches longer than on the EC40 (112.2 inches vs. 106.4 inches).

For better maneuverability, the Solterra’s turning circle is .7 feet tighter than the EC40’s (36.7 feet vs. 37.4 feet).

For greater off-road capability the Solterra has a 1.6 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the EC40 (8.3 vs. 6.7 inches), allowing the Solterra to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The Subaru Solterra may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 300 to 400 pounds less than the Volvo EC40.

The Solterra has 1.2 inches more front legroom, 1.1 inches more front shoulder room and 1.3 inches more rear headroom than the EC40.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the Solterra’s rear seats recline. The EC40’s rear seats don’t recline.

The Solterra has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the EC40 with its rear seat up (23.8 vs. 15 cubic feet). The Solterra has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the EC40 with its rear seat folded (63.5 vs. 48.7 cubic feet).

A low lift-over cargo hatch design makes loading and unloading the Solterra easier. The Solterra’s cargo hatch lift-over height is 28 inches, while the EC40’s liftover is 29.2 inches.

The Solterra’s cargo area is larger than the EC40’s in almost every dimension:

The Solterra has a higher standard payload capacity than the EC40 (1045 vs. 960 lbs.).

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Subaru service is better than Volvo. J.D. Power ranks Subaru 7th in service department satisfaction (above the industry average). With a 28% lower rating, Volvo is ranked 23rd.

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 EC40 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 EC40 doesn’t offer extendable visors.

Standard air-conditioned seats in the Solterra Touring keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The EC40 doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

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 EC40 doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Insurance will cost less for the Solterra owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the Solterra will cost $360 to $1190 less than the EC40 over a five-year period.

The Solterra will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the Solterra will retain 51.28% to 52.31% of its original price after five years, while the EC40 only retains 43.8% to 44.65%.

The Subaru Solterra outsold the Volvo EC40 by 35% during 2023.