Compare the2025 Lexus RZVS 2024 Subaru Solterra

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Tires and Wheels
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics
Model Availability
Recommendations

Safety

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Both the RZ and the Solterra have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger 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.

Warranty

The RZ comes with a full 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire truck and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The Solterra’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year or 14,000 miles sooner.

Lexus’ powertrain warranty covers the RZ 1 year and 10,000 miles longer than Subaru covers the Solterra. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 6 years or 70,000 miles. Coverage on the Solterra ends after only 5 years or 60,000 miles.

The RZ’s corrosion warranty is 1 year longer than the Solterra’s (6 vs. 5 years).

Reliability

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Lexus vehicles are better in initial quality than Subaru vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Lexus above average in initial quality. With 9 more problems per 100 vehicles, Subaru is rated lower.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the statistics that show that Lexus vehicles are more reliable than Subaru vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Lexus first in reliability, above the industry average. With 63 more problems per 100 vehicles, Subaru is ranked 13th.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2024 Auto Issue reports that Lexus vehicles are more reliable than Subaru vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Lexus first in overall reliability. Subaru is ranked 6th.

Engine

The RZ 450e’s optional electric motors produces 93 more horsepower (308 vs. 215) and 72 lbs.-ft. more torque (321 vs. 249) than the Solterra’s electric motors.

As tested in Consumer Reports the RZ 450e electric motors is faster than the Subaru Solterra:

	RZ	Solterra
Zero to 30 MPH	2 sec	2.4 sec
Zero to 60 MPH	4.9 sec	6.4 sec
45 to 65 MPH Passing	3.2 sec	3.6 sec
Quarter Mile	13.7 sec	15 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	101 MPH	93 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

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

			MPGe
RZ
	FWD	300e w/18" Wheels Electric Motor	112 city/125 hwy
	AWD	450e w/18" Wheels Electric Motors	115 city/98 hwy
Solterra
	AWD	Premium Electric Motors	114 city/94 hwy
		Limited/Touring Electric Motors	111 city/93 hwy

The RZ has a standard locking charge port which locks and unlocks with the power locks. The Solterra doesn’t have a locking charge port. A locking charge port prevents tampering and damage.

Tires and Wheels

For better traction and acceleration, the RZ has larger rear tires than the Solterra (255/55R18 vs. 235/60R18).

The RZ’s standard 255/55R18 rear tires provide better handling because they have a lower 55 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Solterra Premium’s standard 60 series tires. The RZ’s optional 255/45R20 rear tires have a lower 45 series profile than the Solterra Limited/Touring’s 50 series tires.

Chassis

The RZ uses computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The Solterra doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

Passenger Space

The RZ has .3 inches more front hip room, .7 inches more rear headroom, 2.2 inches more rear legroom and 7 inches more rear hip room than the Solterra.

Cargo Capacity

The RZ has a much larger cargo volume than the Solterra with its rear seat up (34.1 vs. 23.8 cubic feet).

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

	RZ	Solterra
Length to seat (2nd/1st)	37.5”/73.5”	38.3”/73”
Max Width	59”	50.4”
Min Width	39.5”	38.1”
Height	30.5”	29.8”

To make loading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the RZ’s 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.

Servicing Ease

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Lexus service is better than Subaru. J.D. Power ranks Lexus first in service department satisfaction. With a 20% lower rating, Subaru is ranked 7th.

Ergonomics

The RZ 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.

The RZ’s standard Smart Access allow you to unlock the doors from any outside door handle, open the cargo door, and start the vehicle, all without removing the key from the pocket or purse. Keyless Access and Start standard on the Solterra doesn’t offer a sensor on the rear doors, so you’ll have to reach a front handle to unlock the rear door. Keyless Access and Start is not available on the Solterra Touring.

The RZ’s power window, power lock, power mirror and cruise control switches are lit from behind, making them plainly visible and easier to operate at night. The Solterra’s power window (except driver window) and power lock switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

The RZ’s rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The Solterra Premium’s standard manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

In poor weather, headlights can lose their effectiveness as grime builds up on their lenses. This can reduce visibility without the driver realizing. The RZ offers available headlight washers to keep headlight output high. The Solterra doesn’t offer headlight washers.

The RZ’s standard rear and side view mirrors have an automatic dimming feature. These mirrors can be set to automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on them, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The Solterra offers an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

The Lexus RZ has power folding mirrors that offer unparalleled convenience while maneuvering in tight places or parked. With the mirrors folded it’s easier to walk past and help prevent parking damage. The mirrors can be quickly unfolded when the driver is ready to leave. Power folding mirrors are only offered on the Solterra Limited/Touring.

The RZ has a standard heated steering wheel to take the chill out of steering on extremely cold winter days before the vehicle heater warms up. A heated steering wheel is only available on the Solterra Limited/Touring.

The Lexus RZ has a standard Homelink wireless remote control system for garage door operation and device management, conveniently located on the rear view mirror. Homelink® eliminates the need for separate garage door openers and associated risks of losing, breaking, or having dead batteries. Subaru charges extra for Homelink® on the Solterra.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Lexus RZ has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Wireless charging costs extra on the Solterra.

The RZ has a 115-volt a/c outlet on the center console, 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.

The RZ’s optional Advanced Park can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. Remote Advanced Park will park and retrieve your car remotely: press a button and watch it park itself. This is ideal for tight locations. The Solterra Limited/Touring’s automatic parking system does not offer parking by remote control.

Model Availability

The RZ is available in both front-wheel drive and four-wheel drive configurations. The Solterra doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

Recommendations

Consumer Reports® recommends the Lexus RZ, based on reliability, safety and performance. The Subaru Solterra isn't recommended.

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