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Compact crossovers are incredibly versatile vehicles for individuals, couples, and small families. They offer a great blend of practicality, space for up to five adults when required, and a small road footprint. The latter allows them to easily park in small spaces and scoot around crowded urban centers with narrow roads. While there are many options in the segment, there’s also a burgeoning sub-segment of electric compact crossovers. Two great competitors in this space are the 2023 Toyota bZ4X and the 2023 Subaru Solterra.
The 2023 bZ4X and the 2023 Solterra are sisters since they were co-developed by Toyota and Subaru. That said, they do have some differences, which is why we're doing this comparison to determine which is ahead in the best electric compact crossover race. This bZ4X vs. Solterra shootout will compare their interior, performance, and safety characteristics. And if you want to know more about the 2023 bZ4X, contact our team at Limbaugh Toyota in Birmingham, AL.
As identical vehicles with the same length, width, and wheelbase, you'd expect their interior dimensions to be identical. And this is precisely the case with the 2023 bZ4X and the 2023 Solterra. They both have 94 cubic feet of space for up to five adults and 26 cubic feet of cargo volume. Their interior designs are identical, too, with a large 12.3-inch touch screen on all variants, along with standard Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™. Both vehicles have the same array of storage cubbies and bins in the cabin, but you don’t get a glovebox on either.
The 2023 bZ4X and the 2023 Solterra also have a 7-inch digital gauge cluster ahead of the driver, as you wouldn’t expect analog gauges in an EV. Other standard features include automatic climate control, a wireless phone charger, and a WiFi hotspot. However, there are two neat options on the 2023 bZ4X. One is the nine-speaker JBL sound system that comprehensively beats the standard six-speaker system. The other is a radiant heating element in the lower dash that warms the legs of front seat occupants.
The 2023 bZ4X offers a choice of two electric powertrains. There’s a single-motor variant that is a front-wheel drive and puts out 201 horsepower. The dual-motor variant has an all-wheel-drive system that provides 215 horsepower and 249 lb-ft of torque. According to Car and Driver, the 2023 bZ4X dashes to 60 from rest in 6.4 seconds with the all-wheel-drive system. The battery packs on both variants are nearly identical, with around 64 kWh of capacity. EPA estimated range for the single motor variant is an impressive 250 miles, while the all-wheel-drive variant can touch 228 miles.
The 2023 Solterra is only available in all-wheel-drive form, with 215 horsepower and 249 lb-ft of torque. Curiously, it took 6.5 seconds in Car and Driver’s zero-to-60 test, slightly longer than the 2023 bZ4X. More telling is the range of the 2023 Solterra. Subaru claims that it has a battery pack with a gross capacity of 72 kWh, but the EPA estimated range is only 228 miles, the same as the all-wheel-drive 2023 bZ4X.
Both vehicles offer regenerative braking for recuperating energy when decelerating and can be charged at a Level 2 charging station via the onboard 6.6kWh charger or a fast DC charger. Using a fast DC charging facility, the front-wheel-drive 2023 bZ4X can be charged at up to 150 kWh. The all-wheel-drive variant caps out at 100 kWh, as does the 2023 Solterra. Buyers of Toyota also receive a free year of charging at EVgo locations.
The 2023 bZ4X and the 2023 Solterra come with an extremely robust set of safety features. They have airbags, stability control, automated emergency braking with pedestrian detection, and lane-departure warning. Both offer lane-keeping assist and adaptive cruise control as standard fitment.
It’s a tough contest, but we’re glad to say that the 2023 bZ4X is the winner of our Toyota vs. Subaru electric compact crossover shootout. While the competition between the new bZ4X and the Solterra is fiercely close, Toyota's more frugal front-wheel-drive variant, higher charging speed, and free charging for a year at EVgo locations tip the balance in its favor. Now, it’s time to swing by Limbaugh Toyota in Birmingham, AL, and test drive a 2023 bZ4X today.
