Compare the2024 BMW i4VS 2023 Subaru Solterra

The i4’s pre-crash front seatbelts will tighten automatically in the event the vehicle detects an impending crash, improving protection against injury significantly. The Solterra doesn’t offer pre-crash pretensioners.

Both the i4 and the Solterra have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, four-wheel antilock brakes, 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, driver alert monitors and available around view monitors.

The i4 comes with a full 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire car and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The Solterra’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year or 14,000 miles sooner.

The i4’s corrosion warranty is 7 years longer than the Solterra’s (12 vs. 5 years).

BMW pays for scheduled maintenance on the i4 for 3 years and 36,000 miles. BMW will pay for tire rotations, cabin filter replacement, brake fluid replacement, inspections, and any other required maintenance. Subaru doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the Solterra.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that BMW vehicles are more reliable than Subaru vehicles. J.D. Power ranks BMW above average in long-term dependability. With 5 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Subaru is rated below average.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2023 Auto Issue reports that BMW vehicles are more reliable than Subaru vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks BMW third in overall reliability. Subaru is ranked 7th.

The i4 eDrive35’s standard electric motor produces 67 more horsepower (282 vs. 215) and 46 lbs.-ft. more torque (295 vs. 249) than the Solterra’s electric motors. The i4 eDrive40’s standard electric motor produces 120 more horsepower (335 vs. 215) and 68 lbs.-ft. more torque (317 vs. 249) than the Solterra’s electric motors. The i4 xDrive40’s standard electric motors produces 181 more horsepower (396 vs. 215) and 194 lbs.-ft. more torque (443 vs. 249) than the Solterra’s electric motors. The i4 M50’s standard electric motors produces 321 more horsepower (536 vs. 215) and 337 lbs.-ft. more torque (586 vs. 249) than the Solterra’s electric motors.

On the EPA test cycle the i4 gets better mileage than the Solterra:

The i4 can travel longer on a full charge than the Solterra on a full charge:

The i4 has a standard locking charge port which locks and unlocks with the power locks. The Solterra doesn’t have a locking charge port. A locking charge port prevents tampering and damage.

The i4 M50’s launch control uses engine electronics to hold engine RPM’s precisely in order to provide the most stable and rapid acceleration possible, using all of the available traction. The Solterra doesn’t offer launch control.

For better stopping power the i4’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Solterra:

The i4 stops shorter than the Solterra:

For better traction, the i4 M50’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Solterra (F:255/35R20 & R:285/30R20 vs. 235/60R18).

The i4’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 50 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Solterra Premium’s standard 60 series tires. The i4 M50’s optional 255/35R20 front and 285/30R20 rear tires have a lower 35 series front and 30 series rear profile than the Solterra Limited/Touring’s 50 series tires.

The rear suspension of the i4 uses air springs for a smoother, controlled ride than the Solterra, which uses coil springs. Air springs maintain proper ride height and ride more smoothly.

The i4 offers an optional driver-adjustable suspension system. It allows the driver to choose between an extra-supple ride, reducing fatigue on long trips, or a sport setting, which allows maximum control for tricky roads. The Solterra’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

The i4 has a standard automatic rear load leveling suspension to keep ride height level with a heavy load or when towing. The Solterra doesn’t offer a load leveling suspension.

The i4 is 8.2 inches shorter in height than the Solterra, making the i4 much easier to wash and garage and drive (lower center of gravity).

A standard locking glovebox (which can’t be accessed with the valet key) keeps your small valuables safer in the i4. The Solterra doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

To make loading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the i4’s 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 i4 uses gas struts to support the hood for easier service access. The Solterra uses a prop rod to support its heavy hood. It takes two hands to open the hood and set the prop rod, the prop rod gets in the way during maintenance and service, and the prop rod could be knocked out, causing the heavy hood to fall on the person maintaining or servicing the car.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that BMW service is better than Subaru. J.D. Power ranks BMW 7th in service department satisfaction (above the industry average). With a 14% lower rating, Subaru is ranked 16th.

The i4 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.

The i4’s power window, power lock, power mirror and cruise control switches are lit from behind, making them plainly visible and easier to operate at night. The Solterra’s power window (except driver window) and power lock switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

The i4’s rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The Solterra Premium’s standard manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

The Solterra Limited/Touring’s cornering lamps activate a lamp on the front corner when the turn signal is activated. The i4’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 i4’s standard rear and side view mirrors have an automatic dimming feature. These mirrors can be set to automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on them, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The Solterra has an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

The i4 is available in both rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive configurations. The Solterra doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

Consumer Reports® recommends both the BMW i4 and the Subaru Solterra, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The i4 was chosen as a Car and Driver’s “Top Ten” for 2023. The Solterra has never been chosen by Car and Driver in their “10Best” issue.