2023 Subaru Solterra vs. 2022 Subaru Outback

2023 Subaru Solterra ・ Photo by Subaru

The 2023 Subaru Solterra is an all-new all-electric vehicle. It’s the first EV from Subaru with the efficiency of an electric powertrain combined with the ruggedness and versatility of a Subaru. It has a lineup of just three trims with good standard safety and technology features and lots of room for cargo.

The 2022 Subaru Outback has long been a part of the Subaru lineup. It has a wide range of seven trim levels. And while the Solterra is an EV, the Outback offers two responsive gas engines. Let’s take a closer look at these two Subaru SUVs to see which is the best.

More Trims Mean More Choice

The 2023 Subaru Solterra has three trims. The Premium at $44,995 has an 8.0-inch touchscreen and automatic climate control. The Limited adds features including a power rear tailgate and 12.3-inch touchscreen at $48,495. The Touring sits at the top of the lineup with a price of $51,995 and gets you a panoramic moonroof and ventilated front seats.

The 2022 Subaru Outback comes in a range of eight trims with two gas engine options. The Base trim starts at $26,945 while the Touring comes in at $37,495 as the top trim level with the 2.5-liter engine. There are then three additional trims with a 2.4-liter turbocharged engine priced from $35,145 to $39,945. That wide range of choices gives the Outback the win.

: Subaru Outback

Photo by Subaru

The Power of Performance

The Solterra has a 72.8-kWh battery that delivers 215 horsepower. It accelerates strongly off the line with plenty of power for passing slower moving vehicles in highway driving. Although it’s strong, it’s not especially aggressive when it comes to performance.

The Outback has a base 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine with 182 horsepower and 176 lb-ft of torque paired to a continuously variable automatic transmission. Optional is a 2.4-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder with 260 horsepower and 277 lb-ft of torque. This one goes to the Outback for a choice of two powertrains that includes a peppy turbocharged option.

: Subaru Outback

Photo by Subaru

Let’s Talk Fuel Efficiency

This Solterra is an electric vehicle that has not yet been rated by the EPA. It gets a Subaru-estimated 94 mpge combined in the Premium trim. The Limited and Touring trims come in slightly lower with 93 mpge combined.

The Subaru Outback with its gas engines does have EPA figures. The 2.4-liter turbocharged engine gets an EPA-estimated 26 mpg combined while the 2.5-liter engine takes that figure up to 29 mpg. While that’s good fuel economy, it simply cannot beat the efficiency and cost savings offered by an electric vehicle.

: Subaru Solterra

Photo by Subaru

Do You Want to Charge Up or Fuel Up?

While you can just pull into any gas station, fill up the tank of the Subaru Outback, and be on your way in a few minutes, that’s not the case with the Subaru Solterra. As an electric vehicle, charging takes more time, and it requires a bit of planning if you’re embarking on a long-distance road trip.

Despite the need to plan for EV charging, it’s not something you truly have to worry about every day. The range of the Solterra more than covers an average day’s driving, which means you can simply plug-in overnight at home and not have to worry about stopping to charge at all. The convenience of not having to stop at a gas station all the time gives this one to the Solterra.

: Subaru Solterra

Photo by Subaru

Heading Off Road

The Subaru Outback has standard all-wheel drive with torque vectoring and X-Mode. This includes hill descent control that makes driving steep off-road grades easier. In addition, there’s 8.7 inches of ground clearance to manage uneven terrain. The new Wilderness trims improves on that figure with 9.5 inches of ground clearance.

The Subaru Solterra also has standard all-wheel drive with X-Mode for improved off-road handling. There’s hill descent assist for steep off-road terrain and 8.3 inches of ground clearance. The Solterra can handle more challenging terrain than most EVs, but it doesn’t have the ground clearance offered by the Outback.

: Subaru Outback

Photo by Subaru

Room for Everyone’s Cargo

Going out on an adventure usually means there’s plenty of stuff you need to take a long for the trip. The Solterra has up to 29.0 cubic feet for cargo behind the rear seats. There’s also a wide tailgate opening and a low load floor to make lifting heavy cargo less of a strain.

The Subaru Outback also has good room for cargo It offers 32.5 cubic feet for cargo behind its rear seats for all your stuff. Though not a huge difference, that extra bit of cargo room will prove helpful when you have a full load of people and need every inch of space.

: Subaru Outback

Photo by Subaru

Comfortable and Durable Interiors

There’s seating for five in both SUVs, but there are still differences to be found when you take a close look at the interiors. The Solterra is more refined with a streamlined, modern approach that’s typical of electric vehicles. There’s seating for three in the rear seats, but the sloped roof cuts into headroom.

The Subaru Outback takes a more traditional Subaru approach with more rugged styling that looks like it’s ready for mud and dirt. Especially in the Wilderness trim, this is an SUV you won’t be afraid to let the dog run through with muddy paws. It also has more accommodating headroom for rear passengers.

: Subaru Outback

Photo by Subaru

A Strong Offering of Standard Safety Features

Since the Solterra and Outback are both built by Subaru, they have quite similar safety offerings. The Solterra has Subaru’s EyeSight driver assistance system with blind-spot monitoring, lane change assist, and rear cross-traffic alert. A 360-degree surround-view camera is available and there’s new safe exit assist to warn passengers of oncoming vehicles before they step out of the car.

The Outback also features EyeSight as a standard feature. It offers blind-spot monitoring, lane-change assist, and rear cross-traffic alert, but they’re not standard features as they are on the Solterra. This puts the Solterra ahead when it comes to safety.

: Subaru Solterra

Photo by Subaru

Differing Infotainment Systems

The Solterra has an 8.0-inch touchscreen on its base trim only along with both wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The other two trims have a larger 12.3-inch touchscreen that makes the system easier to use especially when you’re following complicated navigation routes through twisting city streets.

The Outback has dual 7.0-inch infotainment screens on the base trim only. It includes both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, but not with wireless connectivity. One trim up and the system gets an upgrade to an 11.6-inch touchscreen. The Solterra wins for its larger available screen and wireless smartphone connectivity.

: Subaru Solterra

Photo by Subaru

And the Winner Is...

In some ways these vehicles are very similar. Both are from Subaru and both offer the versatility to carry cargo and people. They have some off-road capability for the more adventurous set and they have good standard safety and technology features. The biggest difference it that the Solterra is an electric vehicle while the Outback has only gas engines.

It’s something of a tough comparison, but the Outback comes out ahead. It has better off-road capability, more room for cargo, better rear seat room, and stronger performance. Although we give this contest to the Outback, if you’re looking to make the move to an electric vehicle, the Solterra should be at the top of your list.

: Subaru Outback

Photo by Subaru