2025 Subaru Solterra vs 2026 Tesla Model Y
Comparison Overview
Deciding between the 2025 Subaru Solterra and the 2026 Tesla Model Y often comes down to prioritizing budget versus outright capability. If you're cross-shopping entry-level electric crossovers, that $6,495 starting MSRP difference is significant, placing the Solterra at $38,495 versus the Model Y's $44,990. The performance gap is also noticeable; the Solterra offers 215 hp, significantly less than what many might expect from a newer EV. However, the Model Y pulls ahead dramatically in range, boasting an impressive 357 miles compared to the Solterra's 227 miles. Furthermore, the Tesla provides superior practicality with 33.1 cu ft of cargo space versus the Subaru's 23.8 cu ft. While the Solterra includes standard AWD, the Tesla's superior range and cargo volume make a strong case, even with its slightly larger dimensions at 188.6 inches long.
Size Comparison
Performance
Fuel Efficiency
Full Specifications
Our Verdicts
2025 Subaru Solterra
The Solterra offers a lower entry price point ($38,495) making it immediately more accessible for daily driving budgets.
2026 Tesla Model Y
The Model Y easily wins for families due to its substantially larger 33.1 cu ft of cargo capacity compared to the Solterra's 23.8 cu ft.
2026 Tesla Model Y
While neither is a powerhouse, the Model Y is expected to offer significantly better acceleration than the Solterra's 215 hp output.
2025 Subaru Solterra
The Solterra provides foundational EV utility and standard AWD at a $6,495 lower MSRP.
Choose the Subaru Solterra if...
- Your absolute maximum budget is under $40,000, as the Solterra starts at $38,495.
- You require standard All-Wheel Drive capability immediately upon purchase.
- You prioritize a slightly smaller footprint at 184.6 inches in length for tight city parking.
Choose the Tesla Model Y if...
- Long road trips are frequent, given the Model Y's massive 357-mile range.
- You need maximum storage, utilizing the 33.1 cu ft cargo area.
- You are willing to pay the $6,495 premium for higher expected performance and range figures.
Key Dimensions
| Dimension | Subaru Solterra | Tesla Model Y |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 184.6" | 188.6" |
| Width | 73.2" | 75.6" |
| Height | 65.0" | 63.9" |
| Wheelbase | 112.2" | 113.8" |
Features Comparison
Safety
| Feature | Subaru | Tesla |
|---|---|---|
| Blind Spot Monitor | ✓ | ✓ |
| Lane Departure Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Lane Keeping Assist System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Cross Traffic Alert | ✓ | — |
| Rear Cross Traffic Alert | ✓ | ✓ |
| Driver Attention Alert | ✓ | ✓ |
| Pre-Collision Safety System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Post-Collision Safety System | ✓ | — |
| Dual Front Side-Mounted Airbags | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Head Airbags | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Head Airbags | ✓ | ✓ |
| Passenger Airbag Occupant Sensing Deactivation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electronic Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Traction Control System | ✓ | ✓ |
| LATCH System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Door Child Safety Locks | ✓ | ✓ |
| Anti-lock Brakes (ABS) | 4-Wheel | 4-Wheel |
| Front Ventilated Disc Brakes | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Ventilated Disc Brakes | ✓ | ✓ |
| Brake Preparation System | ✓ | — |
| Brake Assist | ✓ | — |
| Tire Pressure Monitoring System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Automatic Headlights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Headlight Delay-Off | ✓ | ✓ |
| LED Headlights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Self-Leveling Headlights | ✓ | — |
| Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Headrests | 2 | 2 |
| Front Height Adjustable Headrests | ✓ | — |
| Rear Headrests | 3 | 3 |
| Rear Center 3-Point Seatbelt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Anti-Theft Alarm System (Remote) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Engine Immobilizer | ✓ | — |
| Brake Drying | — | ✓ |
| Adaptive Headlights | — | ✓ |
| Front Fixed Headrests | — | ✓ |
| Rear Height Adjustable Headrests | — | ✓ |
Engine
| Feature | Subaru | Tesla |
|---|---|---|
| Base Engine Type | electric | electric |
| Horsepower | 215 hp | — |
| Torque | 249 lb-ft | — |
Drive Train
| Feature | Subaru | Tesla |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission Type | 1-speed direct drive | 1-speed direct drive |
| Drivetrain Type | all wheel drive | rear wheel drive |
| Hill Descent Control | ✓ | — |
Fuel
| Feature | Subaru | Tesla |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel Type | electric | electric |
| EPA Efficiency (City/Highway MPGe) | 114/94 MPGe | 144/123 MPGe |
| EPA Efficiency (Combined MPGe) | 104 MPGe | 134 MPGe |
| EPA Electric Driving Range | 227 mi. | 357 mi. |
| EPA Energy Consumption (kWh/100 mi) | 32 | 25 |
| Charging Time (240V) | 11.0 hr. | 10.0 hr. |
| Battery Capacity | 72.8 kWh | — |
| DC Fast Charging Port Type | SAE Combo | NACS |
Comfort & Convenience
| Feature | Subaru | Tesla |
|---|---|---|
| Push Button Start | ✓ | ✓ |
| Tilt and Telescopic Steering Wheel | ✓ | — |
| Audio Controls on Steering Wheel | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control on Steering Wheel | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Power Steering | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear View Camera | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Parking Sensors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Adaptive Cruise Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Cupholders | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Cupholders | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Door Pockets | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Door Pockets | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Seatback Storage | ✓ | — |
| Leather Steering Wheel | ✓ | — |
| Heated Steering Wheel | ✓ | ✓ |
| Dual Zone Climate Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Ventilation Ducts | ✓ | ✓ |
| Interior Air Filtration | ✓ | ✓ |
| Dual Vanity Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto-Dimming Rearview Mirror | ✓ | ✓ |
| Power Tilt and Telescopic Steering Wheel | — | ✓ |
| Front View Camera | — | ✓ |
| Side View Camera | — | ✓ |
| Front Parking Sensors | — | ✓ |
| Wireless Charging Pad | — | ✓ |
| Universal Remote Transmitter | — | ✓ |
In Car Entertainment
| Feature | Subaru | Tesla |
|---|---|---|
| Infotainment Display | 8.0 in | 15.4 in |
| AM/FM Stereo | ✓ | ✓ |
| Speaker System | 6 | 16 |
| Android Auto (Wireless) | ✓ | — |
| Apple CarPlay (Wireless) | ✓ | — |
| USB Port | ✓ | ✓ |
| USB Port with External Media Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Satellite Radio | ✓ | ✓ |
| Satellite Radio Trial Length | 4 months | — |
| Subwoofer Count | — | 1 |
Power Feature
| Feature | Subaru | Tesla |
|---|---|---|
| One-Touch Power Windows | 4 | 4 |
| Remote Keyless Entry | ✓ | — |
| Heated Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Moonroof Type | — | 1st Row Fixed Glass Extended |
| Keyless Entry | — | ✓ |
| Reverse Tilt Dual Mirrors | — | ✓ |
Frontseats
| Feature | Subaru | Tesla |
|---|---|---|
| Front Head Room | 38.8 in. | 41.0 in. |
| Front Leg Room | 42.1 in. | 41.9 in. |
| Front Shoulder Room | 57.8 in. | 56.4 in. |
| Front Hip Room | 54.4 in. | 54.0 in. |
| Seat Material: Cloth | ✓ | — |
| Front Seat Type: Bucket | ✓ | ✓ |
| Driver Seat Manual Adjustments | 6-way | — |
| Driver Seat Height Adjustment | ✓ | ✓ |
| Passenger Seat Manual Adjustments | 6-way | — |
| Passenger Seat Height Adjustment | ✓ | ✓ |
| Driver Seat Heating | Multi-level | Multi-level |
| Passenger Seat Heating | Multi-level | Multi-level |
| Seat Material: Leatherette | — | ✓ |
| Driver Seat Power Adjustments | — | 8-way |
| Driver Seat Lumbar Support | — | Power |
| Passenger Seat Power Adjustments | — | 8-way |
| Driver Seat Ventilation | — | ✓ |
| Passenger Seat Ventilation | — | ✓ |
Rearseats
| Feature | Subaru | Tesla |
|---|---|---|
| Rear Head Room | 38.0 in. | 39.4 in. |
| Rear Leg Room | 35.3 in. | 40.5 in. |
| Rear Shoulder Room | 56.0 in. | 53.2 in. |
| Rear Hip Room | 44.8 in. | 50.5 in. |
| Split-Folding Rear Seatback | ✓ | ✓ |
| Reclining Rear Seats | ✓ | ✓ |
| Folding Center Armrest | ✓ | ✓ |
| Heated Rear Seats (Multi-Level) | — | ✓ |
Tires and Wheels
| Feature | Subaru | Tesla |
|---|---|---|
| Wheel Material | Alloy | Alloy |
| Wheel Cover Type | Full | Full |
| Wheel Size | 18 x 7.5 in | 19 x 9.5 in. |
| Tire Type | All Season | All Season |
| Tire Size | 235/60R18 | 255/45R19 |
Suspension
| Feature | Subaru | Tesla |
|---|---|---|
| Four-Wheel Independent Suspension | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Stabilizer Bar | ✓ | — |
| Rear Stabilizer Bar | ✓ | — |
| Stabilizer Bar | — | ✓ |
Warranty
| Feature | Subaru | Tesla |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Warranty | 3 yr./ 36000 mi. | 4 yr./ 50000 mi. |
| Drivetrain Warranty | 5 yr./ 60000 mi. | 8 yr./ 120000 mi. |
| EV Battery Warranty | 8 yr./ 100000 mi. | 8 yr./ 120000 mi. |
| Corrosion/Rust Warranty | 5 yr./ unlimited mi. | 12 yr./ unlimited mi. |
| Roadside Assistance | 3 yr./ 36000 mi. | — |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about comparing the 2025 Subaru Solterra and 2026 Tesla Model Y.
How significant is the electric range difference between these two crossovers?
The difference is substantial for long-distance travel; the 2026 Model Y delivers 357 miles of range, while the 2025 Solterra is rated for only 227 miles.
Does the Subaru Solterra include All-Wheel Drive standard?
Yes, the 2025 Subaru Solterra comes standard with an all-wheel drive system, a feature often optional or unavailable on the base configuration of the 2026 Tesla Model Y.
Which vehicle offers more usable storage space for groceries and gear?
The Tesla Model Y is the clear winner here, offering 33.1 cubic feet of cargo space, which beats the Solterra's 23.8 cubic feet.
What is the price gap when comparing the entry-level trims?
There is a $6,495 difference in MSRP, with the Solterra starting at $38,495 and the Model Y at $44,990.
How do the horsepower figures compare between the two EVs?
The Solterra is quoted at 215 hp, which suggests the Model Y will have substantially more power, considering the significant difference listed in available specifications.
Are these cars similar in physical size?
They are close in size, but the Model Y is slightly longer at 188.6 inches compared to the Solterra's 184.6 inches, although the Tesla is slightly lower in height at 63.9 inches.
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