If you’re torn between a Tesla Model Y and a Subaru Solterra, you’re not alone. Both are all-electric compact SUVs with room for the family, standard all-wheel drive available, and enough tech to make your old gas SUV feel like a flip phone. But they drive differently, charge differently, and fit different kinds of lives. Let’s walk through Tesla Model Y vs Subaru Solterra in the real world so you can see which one fits you, not just on paper, but in your driveway.
At a glance
Tesla Model Y vs Subaru Solterra: who each SUV is for
Tesla Model Y: Best if you want range & tech
- You road-trip often and want 250–330 miles of EPA-rated range, depending on trim.
- You’ll use fast charging a lot and care about access to Tesla’s Supercharger network.
- You like clean, minimalist interiors and big touchscreens.
- You want strong acceleration and a more engaging on-road feel.
Subaru Solterra: Best if you live for bad weather & dirt roads
- You drive in snow, mud, or on unpaved roads and value Subaru-style AWD confidence.
- You don’t need max range, roughly 222–228 miles EPA is enough for your routine.
- You prefer a more traditional SUV cabin with familiar controls.
- You want extra ground clearance (about 8.3 inches) and off-pavement traction modes.
How to decide quickly
Price, trims, and value for money
Pricing shifts every year with incentives and inventory, but generally the Subaru Solterra stickers a bit higher than a comparable Tesla Model Y when new, while used Model Ys are now plentiful and often sharply priced. Solterra inventory is smaller but sometimes comes with attractive dealer discounts or lease offers, especially in regions where Subaru is strong.
Typical price positioning (new & used)
Always check local incentives and used listings for up-to-date numbers.
Tesla Model Y pricing reality
- New: Typically starts in the low-to-mid $40,000s before incentives.
- Used: Plenty of 2021–2023 Long Range and AWD models now dip into the mid-$30,000s, depending on miles and battery health.
- Frequent Tesla price updates make used values move quickly, good for shoppers, confusing for owners.
Subaru Solterra pricing reality
- New: Usually priced in the upper-$40,000s with standard AWD and good equipment.
- Used: Fewer on the market so far; expect prices similar to or slightly below new after incentives.
- Traditional dealer network means more room to negotiate or lease vs Tesla’s fixed-price model.
Don’t shop on sticker alone
Range and charging: highway reality check
EPA range & basic charging numbers
On range alone, Model Y wins by a clear margin. Depending on configuration, you’re looking at roughly mid-200s to low-300s miles of EPA range, versus roughly 220–230 miles for the Subaru Solterra. On a winter highway run at 75 mph, both will lose some of that, but the Tesla starts with more to give.
Fast-charging experience
- Tesla Model Y: Plug-and-charge at most Superchargers, the car and charger handle billing automatically.
- Subaru Solterra: You’ll use different apps or RFID cards (Electrify America, ChargePoint, etc.) and may see more variation in charger performance.
- At home, both support Level 2 charging; Tesla typically at 9.6–11.5 kW depending on onboard charger and circuit, Solterra at about 6.6 kW, which means slower overnight top-ups from very low states of charge.
Home charging rule of thumb
Interior space, comfort, and everyday usability
Both SUVs are spacious, but they prioritize that space differently. The Tesla Model Y is the cargo and efficiency champ: a deep rear well, big hatch opening, and optional third-row seating on some trims. The Subaru Solterra sticks closer to the classic Subaru formula, two rows, roomy seating, and a high seating position that feels immediately familiar if you’re coming from a Forester or Outback.
Space and comfort: what you’ll feel from the driver’s seat
Tesla Model Y
- More overall cargo volume, especially with rear seats folded.
- Optional small third row in some models, best for kids or occasional use.
- Very open, minimalist cabin with a huge glass roof.
- Most functions run through the center touchscreen, clean, but a learning curve.
Subaru Solterra
- Two-row layout with generous headroom and decent cargo space.
- Higher seating position and more traditional dash layout.
- Physical buttons and knobs for key functions alongside the touchscreen.
- More conventional feel if you’re not ready to live entirely inside a screen.
Car seats & kids
Performance, AWD capability, and driving feel
If you judge by spec sheets alone, the Tesla Model Y feels more like a performance crossover, while the Subaru Solterra plays the confident trail buddy. Even the dual-motor Model Y variants deliver strong acceleration, and Performance trims can be downright quick. The Solterra’s dual-motor setup is tuned less for speed and more for traction and smoothness.
On-road and off-road personality
Tesla Model Y driving feel
- Quick, almost effortless acceleration, especially in dual-motor trims.
- Lower ride height and more car-like handling on pavement.
- All-wheel drive variants handle slippery roads very well.
- Ground clearance is respectable, but this is not a rock-crawler.
Subaru Solterra driving feel
- Standard dual-motor all-wheel drive with Subaru-style traction tuning.
- 8.3 inches of ground clearance and multiple drive modes for dirt, snow, and mud.
- Suspension tuned for comfort and stability on rough surfaces.
- Feels right at home on rutted driveways, forest roads, and ski-town parking lots.
If snow and trails are your life
Tech, safety, and driver-assistance features
Both SUVs take safety seriously, but they take different routes getting there. The Tesla Model Y has outstanding crash-test scores and some of the most advanced driver-assist tech on the market, though it leans heavily on cameras and software. The Subaru Solterra brings Subaru’s EyeSight-style philosophy to EVs, combining cameras and sensors with a more traditional control layout.
Tech & safety comparison
High-level look at how each EV SUV handles safety, screens, and driver assistance.
| Feature area | Tesla Model Y | Subaru Solterra |
|---|---|---|
| Crash-test reputation | Top-tier ratings from major agencies; very strong occupant protection record. | Strong safety focus; based on Subaru’s track record and added EV-specific features. |
| Driver-assist basics | Standard automatic emergency braking, lane keeping, blind-spot features on most trims. | Standard suite including adaptive cruise, lane-keeping, and available Traffic Jam Assist. |
| Advanced systems | Optional enhanced Autopilot / Full Self-Driving features for lane changes, navigation assist, and more (driver must stay attentive). | Lane centering and traffic jam assist add convenience but are less ambitious than Tesla’s systems. |
| Screen & controls | Single large center touchscreen controls nearly everything; over-the-air software updates frequently add features. | Large central touchscreen plus a separate driver display; more physical buttons and a more traditional layout. |
| App & connectivity | Tesla app is deeply integrated: preconditioning, charging, remote access, service scheduling. | Subaru app offers remote features and charging controls, but is less central to the ownership experience. |
Availability can vary by model year and trim; always confirm equipment on the exact vehicle you’re considering.
Driver-assist is not self-driving
Ownership costs, reliability, and recalls
Electric SUVs are generally cheaper to run than gas counterparts, but how they age and how recalls are handled still matter. Tesla has years of real-world EV data behind the Model Y; Subaru is newer to the full-EV game with the Solterra.
- Energy costs: Both beat similar gas SUVs on fuel cost. The Model Y’s higher efficiency and larger battery give you more freedom to choose when to charge; the Solterra’s efficiency is competitive but hampered slightly by its standard AWD and off-road focus.
- Service and maintenance: Neither has oil changes, but tire wear, brake fluid, and cabin filters still matter. Tesla uses its own service centers and mobile techs; Subaru uses its dealer network, which may be more convenient if you live far from a Tesla center.
- Recalls & updates: Tesla tends to handle many issues via over-the-air software updates, with hardware recalls handled at service centers. Subaru’s approach is more traditional, dealer visits for recalls and updates, although some software updates can be done remotely.
Battery health matters most on used EVs
Buying used: Tesla Model Y vs Subaru Solterra
On the used market, the Tesla Model Y is everywhere, with multiple years, trims, and mileage bands to choose from. That gives you negotiating power and lets you be picky about features, colors, and options. The Subaru Solterra is still relatively rare as a used EV, but that can work in your favor if you find one in excellent condition that a dealer is motivated to move.
Used EV buying checklist: Model Y & Solterra
1. Verify real battery health
Ask for objective battery diagnostics, not just a dashboard guess. On Recharged, every used Model Y and Solterra comes with a <strong>Recharged Score battery report</strong> so you can see remaining capacity and charging history signals.
2. Look at range vs your routine
Take your real weekly driving, commute, errands, weekend trips, and map it against each car’s usable range. If you regularly drive more than 180–200 miles in a day, the Model Y’s extra range will feel worth it.
3. Check charging history and patterns
Frequent DC fast charging at high states of charge can accelerate battery wear. A car that mostly lived on Level 2 home charging is usually a better long-term bet.
4. Inspect tires, brakes, and suspension
EVs are heavy and torque-rich. Make sure tires are in good shape, suspension feels tight, and there’s no uneven wear that points to alignment or bushing issues.
5. Confirm driver-assist calibration and updates
On a test drive, verify that adaptive cruise, lane-keeping, and cameras all work smoothly. Ask about recent software updates, especially on Teslas.
6. Match warranty coverage to your plans
Look at remaining battery and powertrain warranty years/miles for each vehicle. A slightly higher price on a car with more warranty left can be the smarter play.
How Recharged simplifies used EV shopping
Quick spec comparison: Tesla Model Y vs Subaru Solterra
Headline specs: what most shoppers care about
Representative figures for recent model years; always verify exact specs for the specific vehicle you’re considering.
| Category | Tesla Model Y (dual-motor example) | Subaru Solterra (dual-motor) |
|---|---|---|
| Drivetrain | RWD or dual-motor AWD, depending on trim | Standard dual-motor AWD |
| EPA range | Approx. mid-200s to low-300s miles, depending on battery and trim | Approx. 222–228 miles, depending on trim |
| Battery size | Roughly mid-70 kWh usable (varies by trim/year) | About 72.8 kWh |
| Fast charging | Peak >200 kW on Tesla Supercharger; very robust network | Up to ~100 kW on CCS; 10–80% typically around 35 minutes |
| Ground clearance | Lower, more car-like (around 6–7 inches on many trims) | About 8.3 inches |
| Cargo & seating | Large cargo area, optional 3rd-row in some versions | Two-row layout with good cargo but no 3rd row |
| Infotainment | Single large center touchscreen, frequent OTA feature updates | Large central screen plus driver display, more physical controls |
| Safety & driver-assist | Top crash ratings, advanced camera-based driver assistance and optional upgraded Autopilot features | Strong safety focus with Subaru driver-assist suite and available Traffic Jam Assist |
Specs vary by trim and year. This table is meant as a directional guide, not a substitute for checking a specific VIN.
Which should you buy? Real-world recommendations
Choose the Tesla Model Y if…
- You regularly drive long distances and want the most range and best DC fast-charging experience you can get in this class.
- You like cutting-edge tech, over-the-air updates, and Tesla’s strong app integration.
- You want maximum choice in the used market, years, trims, colors, and price points.
- A big, open, minimal interior appeals more than traditional buttons and gauges.
Choose the Subaru Solterra if…
- You live where winter, mountains, or dirt roads are a way of life and value Subaru-style AWD and ground clearance.
- Your daily driving fits comfortably within its range, and you mostly charge at home.
- You prefer a familiar SUV cockpit with physical controls and Subaru’s safety-first vibe.
- You already love how a Forester or Outback feels and just want the EV version of that attitude.
Test-drive them the same day
When you put the Tesla Model Y vs Subaru Solterra side by side, you’re not really looking at a winner and a loser, you’re choosing between a tech-forward range machine and a weather-proof adventure partner. The right answer is the one that matches your roads, your climate, and your charging reality. If you want help comparing real vehicles, battery health in hand, Recharged can line up used Model Ys and Solterras, walk you through the Recharged Score reports, and handle financing, trade-in, and delivery. You bring your wishlist, we’ll bring the data.
