Subaru Solterra vs Volkswagen ID.4

The 2024 Subaru Solterra bore a distinct resemblance to its Toyota counterpart, the Toyota bZ4X. Subaru made it uniquely its own by equipping it with standard dual-motor all-wheel drive (AWD), a minor lift in ground clearance, subtle styling alterations, and a host of Subaru-specific adjustments. Despite the gray cladding reaching up to the headlights and the glossy black trim hanging down from the taillights, the Solterra had a striking appearance, particularly in the Harbor Mist Gray Pearl paint finish of the test vehicle. Though the 20-inch wheels of the Limited and Touring trims reduced overall range, their aesthetic appeal made the compromise worthwhile.

Subaru's lineup for 2024 included the Premium, Limited, and Touring trims, with prices ranging from $46,340 to $53,340, inclusive of a $1,345 destination charge. Even though the Solterra didn’t qualify for the $7,500 federal income tax credit, Subaru applied this benefit to a lease, reducing monthly payments. Furthermore, every 2024 Solterra EV offered 10 free days of car rental via the Subaru Just Drive Rental program, though this depended on dealership participation.

Entering the Solterra, one would be greeted by an unconventional interior design comprising a squircle-shaped steering wheel, digital gauges nestled against the windshield, fabric dashboard trim, and a futuristic flyover bridge functioning as the center console.

In contrast, the 2024 Volkswagen ID.4 maintained a conservative but timeless look quintessential to Volkswagen's design ethos. This year, AWD versions came standard with 20-inch wheels, while the S Plus trim featured a 21-inch design. The ID.4 lineup included two models: the ID.4 with a 62-kWh battery and the ID.4 Pro with an 82-kWh battery. Trim levels included base, S, and S Plus. Pro models could be equipped with AWD for added traction and performance. Prices ranged from an MSRP of $39,735 to $57,055, plus a $1,425 destination charge from the Chattanooga, Tennessee, factory.

Volkswagen's 2024 ID.4 models equipped with SK On battery sourced components qualified for the full $7,500 federal tax credit. In addition, every 2024 ID.4 offered 500 kWh of free DC fast charging at Electrify America stations, plus a three-year complimentary EA Pass+ membership with discounted charging rates.

During a test drive of an ID.4 Pro S, it became evident that interior changes, like moving the transmission selector to a stalk on the steering wheel's right side and revising steering wheel controls, made the interior more user-friendly and intuitive.

Subaru’s 2024 Solterra was equipped with a dual-motor electric drive system offering standard AWD. Though its output was modest at 215 horsepower and 249 pound-feet of torque, the range was relatively limited at 227 miles for Premium trim and 222 miles for Limited and Touring trims. The 72.8-kWh battery boasted improved cold-weather and DC fast charging performance for the year.

At a Southern California Electrify America station, the Solterra charged on a 150-kilowatt DC fast charger at a rate of 48 cents per kW. Despite the advertised fast charging, the speed did not exceed 65 kW, indicating it would take two hours to fully recharge the battery. A 20-minute fast charge raised the battery from 27% to 60% at a cost of $8.64.

In testing, the Solterra displayed an electricity consumption rate of 30.3 kWh per 100 miles on the evaluation loop, outperforming the EPA rating of 33 kWh/100 mi. However, its weekly average consumption was 35.7 kWh/100 mi, underscoring mixed results in efficiency. The Solterra's handling was secure but uninspiring, with noticeable wind and road noise breaking the cabin's quiet at highway speeds.

On the other hand, the 2024 Volkswagen ID.4 was far from a compromised EV with its new rear electric drive motor in single-motor Pro models, producing 282 horsepower and 402 pound-feet of torque. This propelled the ID.4 to 60 mph in a claimed 5.9 seconds, a notable improvement over the 2023 model. The 62-kWh models retained the previous motor with 201 hp and 229 lb-ft of torque.

The ID.4 Pro with AWD added an additional front motor, giving it a combined output of 335 horsepower and 402 pound-feet of torque, achieving 0-60 mph in 4.9 seconds. Its range varied, with the RWD Pro models rated at 291 miles and AWD versions at 263 miles by the EPA.

Charging capabilities for the ID.4 were robust, handling up to 140-kW DC fast charging for the 62-kWh battery and 175-kW for the 82-kWh battery, reaching 10% to 80% charge in approximately 30 minutes. During the media event test in Pasadena, California, the ID.4 Pro S demonstrated impressive efficiency at 28.6 kWh/100 miles.

Getting in and out of the 2024 Subaru Solterra was easy due to its height. Updated features for 2024 included an easy-exit function for the power driver’s seat and an eight-way power front passenger seat in the Limited and Touring trims. The StarTex artificial leather upholstery was convincing, and the test car offered comforts such as heated front and rear seats, ventilated front seats, and a heated steering wheel.

Storage was ample, particularly around the center console, but the lack of lining in many compartments potentially led to items scraping or rattling against hard plastic surfaces. Back-seat passengers were well-catered for with sufficient legroom, supportive seats, USB-C ports, and air-conditioning vents. Cargo space was 23.8 cubic feet with seats up, expanding to 63.5 cubic feet with rear seats folded, though a front trunk was absent.

Interior improvements in the 2024 Volkswagen ID.4 made it more practical and comfortable. The transmission selector was re-situated to a more accessible stalk on the steering wheel, and touch-sensing controls were revised, though accidental activations of the heated steering wheel were noted.

The ID.4's interior space was commendable, featuring 30.3 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats and up to 64.2 cubic feet with seats folded, slightly edging out the Solterra in cargo capacity. Rear passenger comfort was ensured with adequate legroom, supportive seating, and amenities similar to the Solterra's.

The 2024 Subaru Solterra's infotainment technology was a highlight. The entry-level Premium trim featured an 8-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a Wi-Fi hotspot, while Limited and Touring trims upgraded to a 12.3-inch high-resolution touchscreen, adding a surround-view camera and a Harman Kardon premium audio system. The interface was superior to Subaru's Starlink system, and the digital rearview mirror and Advanced Park semi-autonomous parking system added convenience.

Volkswagen’s 2024 ID.4 offered an upgraded 12.9-inch touchscreen infotainment system in Pro models. The new layout was user-friendly with illuminated controls for night use and featured a preconditioning function for DC fast charging. The infotainment system supported gesture control and included a three-year complimentary subscription to Plus Nav and Plus Speech, though the voice assistant Ida showed mixed effectiveness in recognizing commands. The ID.4 also offered a Harman Kardon premium sound system in the S Plus trim.

Subaru’s EyeSight suite for the Solterra included features like front cross-traffic alert and proactive driving assist. New additions in 2024 included a hands-free driving feature and active lane-change assist. Although the safety features were comprehensive, their performance, such as lane-centering assist on curvy roads, showed room for improvement. However, both the NHTSA and IIHS gave the Solterra high marks for crash safety, including a five-star overall rating and a Top Safety Pick+ designation, respectively.

Volkswagen’s ID.4 came standard with IQ.Drive, including Travel Assist and Emergency Assist for semi-autonomous driving and monitoring unresponsive drivers. The Memory Parking feature was a unique addition, enabling autonomous parking in pre-defined spaces. The ID.4 also earned favorable safety ratings from the NHTSA, though IIHS evaluations were incomplete at the time of review.