As the automobile world is rapidly transitioning towards electric vehicles, some new manufacturers are emerging and producing reasonably capable electric vehicles. In the meantime, the traditional manufacturers established in internal combustion engines have also considered EV production. Toyota and Subaru are the two new players in the electric SUV segment, with the Solterra and BZ4X. Both vehicles were in the pre-production stages for quite some time, and now they are expected to go on sale during the second quarter of 2022.
It was surprising that big manufacturers like Subaru and Toyota took so long to launch all-electric vehicles. Especially in the case of Toyota, as they have been leading manufacturers of plug-in hybrid vehicles. To put some figures, nearly 30% of all Toyota cars are hybrid or plug-in hybrid. Toyota surprised everyone by collaborating with Subaru and releasing two roughly identical vehicles, the BZ4X and the Solterra. This collaboration might be the ideal match as Subaru brings on a lot of engineering prowess and their experience of off-road vehicles combined with Toyotas’ highly sophisticated and reliable production capabilities and their expertise in electric cars.
2023 Subaru Solterra Vs 2023 Toyota BZ4X: A Different Drivetrain
Although these vehicles are nearly identical in every department, a few minor differences set them apart. The Toyota BZ4X offers either a front-wheel-drive or a dual motor AWD system. On the other hand, The Subaru will come with a dual-motor all-wheel-drive system as standard. The difference in drivetrain also affects the range offered by the vehicles, as the Subaru Solterra is expected to offer 220 miles. The all-wheel-drive version of the Toyota will offer the same arrangement, but the base pack front-wheel-drive configuration will offer up to 250 miles. The driving range of these vehicles is fairly competitive and healthy but not class-leading as other manufacturers provide a better range in this segment. The top trim of the Subaru Solterra will also feature the X mode, which is a one-of-a-kind all-wheel-drive operating system that will enable the driver to drive through the most treacherous driving conditions with relative ease. On the other hand, Toyota is yet to confirm if their multi-terrain select traction control systems will be available on the BZ4X. Even if Toyota does offer a drive mode selector, it will be no match to the legendary Subaru’s X Mode feature.
2023 Subaru Solterra Vs 2023 Toyota BZ4X: The Big Battery
The fantastic feature about these two vehicles is that they are capable of DC fast charging, which means 80% charge is possible in less than one hour if one can find a supercharger. These vehicles use an electric motor that produces 215 HP and 248 lb-ft of torque. The power output of the batteries is nearly 71-kilowatt-hour and is fairly sufficient for a vehicle of this size and class. These power figures are much better than any other internal combustion engine vehicle in this class. Both these vehicles have their batteries mounted on the floor, giving them a very low center of gravity, but if one chooses to go off-road, the 8.3 Inches of ground clearance should be more than enough to handle the rough stuff pretty quickly.
2023 Subaru Solterra Vs 2023 Toyota BZ4X: High on Tech
The interior of this vehicle is a charming place to be in, and the Crown jewel of the interior happens to be the 12.3-inch touch screen infotainment system. The system supports Android Auto and Apple CarPlay and uses the latest generation of Toyota's latest interface, which rolled out in their entire lineup. Another excellent addition to the long list of features is the 360 degrees bird’s eye view camera, which gives the driver ample confidence while driving off-road or during parking. As this system is shared with Subaru, this happens to be the first time a Subaru vehicle has been equipped with the system. These vehicles also come with other exciting bits like a full-size panoramic sunroof, digital gauge cluster heads-up display, and ventilated seats for the front passengers. The BZ4X stands for beyond zero as Toyota plans to go carbon-neutral and promote sustainability through its new vehicles.
Toyota and Subaru are known to make some of the most reliable cars in the market; moreover, Subaru even claimed that 96% of all vehicles sold in the past decade are still on the road and running in perfectly fine condition. Adding to the mix is Toyota’s trusted R&D department that has been making some of the best hybrid vehicles for over a decade; the 2023 Subaru Solterra and the Toyota BZ4X are undoubtedly two of the most sought-after electric vehicles on the market now and expected to sell in high numbers.
Sources: Subaru, Toyota, Hot cars