Compare the2025 Toyota Rav4 Plug-In HybridVS 2025 Subaru Solterra

In a Vehicle-to-Vehicle Frontal Crash Prevention 2.0 test conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the Toyota Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid achieved a “Acceptable” rating - the second highest possible - for its performance in forward collision warning and automatic braking systems, demonstrating its excellent capabilities in preventing collisions. The Subaru Solterra has not been tested.

Both the Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid and the Solterra have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, all wheel drive, 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 and available around view monitors.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Toyota Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid is safer than the Subaru Solterra:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH, results indicate that the Toyota Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid is safer than the Subaru Solterra:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

Toyota pays for scheduled maintenance on the Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid for 2 years and 25000 miles. Toyota will pay for oil changes, tire rotations, air filter replacements, cabin filter replacement, brake fluid replacement, inspections, and any other required maintenance. Subaru doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the Solterra.

There are almost 2 times as many Toyota dealers as there are Subaru dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid’s warranty.

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid’s reliability 46 points higher than the Solterra.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the statistics that show that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than Subaru vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Toyota second in reliability, above the industry average. With 51 more problems per 100 vehicles, Subaru is ranked 13th.

The Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid’s 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid produces 87 more horsepower (302 vs. 215) than the Solterra’s electric motors.

As tested in Car and Driver the Toyota Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid is faster than the Subaru Solterra:

The Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid’s maximum EPA estimated range on a full tank and a full charge is 622 miles, after which it can be refueled at any gas station in minutes. The Solterra’s range is only 222 to 227 miles, after which the minimum time to recharge is 35 minutes for only an 80% charge at a specially configured quick charge station not available in most areas. A full recharge using a conventional 110-volt outlet can take up to 50 hours.

The Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid has a standard space-saver spare tire so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn’t available on the Solterra; it requires you to depend on roadside assistance and your vehicle will have to be towed.

For better maneuverability, the Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid SE’s turning circle is .6 feet tighter than the Solterra’s (36.1 feet vs. 36.7 feet).

The Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid is 3.7 inches shorter than the Solterra, making the Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid has 5.6 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Solterra (101.3 vs. 95.7).

The Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid has 1.5 inches more rear headroom, 2.5 inches more rear legroom, 2.9 inches more rear hip room and .4 inches more rear shoulder room than the Solterra.

The Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid has a much larger cargo volume than the Solterra with its rear seat up (33.5 vs. 23.8 cubic feet).

The Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid’s cargo area is larger than the Solterra’s in every dimension:

A standard locking glovebox (which can’t be accessed with the valet key) keeps your small valuables safer in the Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid. The Solterra doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

To make loading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid XSE’s available 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.

The Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid has a 2500 lbs. towing capacity. The Solterra has no towing capacity.

Standard Trailer Sway Control on the Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid uses the Enhanced Vehicle Stability Control sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. The Solterra doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

The Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid has a much higher standard payload capacity than the Solterra (1295 vs. 1045 lbs.).

The Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid XSE 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.

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid has a standard rear wiper. The Solterra doesn’t offer a rear wiper.

The Solterra Limited/Touring’s cornering lamps activate a lamp on the front corner when the turn signal is activated. The Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid XSE’s optional adaptive cornering lights turn the actual headlight unit up to several degrees, depending on steering wheel angle and vehicle speed. This lights a significant distance into corners at any speed.

The Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid XSE offers an optional 115-volt a/c outlet in the cargo area, 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.

Insurance will cost less for the Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid will cost $1385 to $2215 less than the Solterra over a five-year period.

The Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid will retain 59.06% to 59.32% of its original price after five years, while the Solterra only retains 51.28% to 52.31%.

Consumer Reports® chose the Toyota Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid as its “Top Pick,” the highest scoring vehicle in its category, based on reliability, safety and performance. The Subaru Solterra isn't recommended.

The Toyota Rav4 outsold the Subaru Solterra by almost 38 to one during 2024.