First impressions - Toyota bZ4X and Subaru Solterra

21 June 2022

Toyota and Subaru have recently released their respective all-electric compact SUVs but unlike the Lexus RZ450e, the two companies didn’t put much effort into differentiating their vehicles. Visually the cars are identical, technically they are indistinguishable. Let’s try and find some changes.

Both cars are based on the same platform and are available with the same electric motors and batteries, but Toyota bZ4X offers an entry model with single motor and front wheel drive - Subaru Solterra skips that option entirely offering just one AWD model. Both cars in AWD versions use the 71.4kWh lithium-ion battery pack but Toyota increased the usable capacity for its American market destined cars to 72.8kWh. It isn’t a different battery - Toyota simply reduced the safety “buffer”.

Meeting both cars in person for the first time can be confusing, especially if both are in similar colors. From the side it’s just not possible to tell them apart, the wheels are the same and the shape of the cars is identical. It's not necessarily bad though - both cars are really good looking, have a nice sporty stance. They are quite low for SUVs and both have gloss black painted roof and A-pillars which makes them appear lower than they really are.

You will also struggle to find any differences at the rear - if you take the badges away there is no way to tell which car is which. Both have the split spoiler on the roof with a shark fin antenna in the middle, both lack rear wiper and use hydrophobic glass instead. It does repel the water but it doesn’t really repel dirt, so we are not sure what’s wrong with a good old-fashioned wiper? You are paying €60,000 for AWD Toyota in Europe and you don’t get a rear wiper. Subaru can be almost excused since it’s only $45,000 in the US but still - is this really progress?

The front is a little bit easier to tell the two cars apart as the bumpers are different. Toyota went with a single giant piece of plastic running across the face of th bZ4X whereas Subaru borrowed a fake grille from Ford Fiesta. Subaru added integrated fog lights at the bottom of the bumper and Toyota added color coded plastic covers to its headlights. That’s where the differences end.

Stepping inside the difference once again boils down to the logo on the steering wheel. Every single bit of the interior is identical. The seats upholstery, the graphics on the screens - all identical. Switches, buttons, carpets - absolutely no difference.

More importantly, these are good-looking cars on the inside. The cabin is really nicely laid out with the center screen sitting a little bit higher, driving position is comfortable and it feels like the car is wrapped around the driver.

The steering wheel is small and chunky and it has normal buttons - none of that capacitive malarkey. Dashboard is made of textured soft plastic that mimics fabric successfully and despite it being gray it manages to add some class to the interior.

The overwhelming impression of the interior can be summed up by calling it a “sea of gray” - there are all shades of gray inside with black accents. Subaru breaks the monotony with its blue logo but that’s where the adventure ends.

And yet both cars feel spacious, seats are comfortable, there’s plenty of room in the back for two adults, three even wouldn’t complain on shorter trips. All the switches are solid and can be found exactly where they are supposed to be, no Renault Megane E-Tech style surprises.

Both cars have the same size trunk - 452l with the rear seats up. And it's really easy to get to, the edge is low and loading up is not a problem. BMW iX could learn a lesson or two from Toyota and Subaru. There’s additional storage under the floor, for all the charging cables and smaller items.

As first impressions go - this duo is solid. It’s not going to take your breath away, not with its design either outside or inside. Neither of the cars will draw any attention to itself and if you get them in neutral color then you will simply blend into your surroundings and will remain incognito.

Many people will appreciate this, both cars will deliver years of trouble free motoring, good performance on and off the road.

The spacious and comfortable interiors with plenty of space for luggage will be appreciated by families. Being unremarkable can be a good thing, Toyota conquered the world by selling inconspicuous but reliable cars, Prius was laughed at by the entire planet and yet it sold more than 15 million units and became the most important car in the last 20 years for the company. Subaru is simply borrowing the tools from the master.