Toyota RAV4 vs Subaru Solterra

What's the difference?

The Toyota RAV4 Cruiser Hybrid 2WD model reaffirms why the RAV4 is so popular in Australia. It offers families space, convenience and features in a well-priced and handsome package. The cabin noise might be an ick for some but for everything else this model offers it could be overlooked.

The updated Subaru Solterra is now good enough to compete with rivals such as the Tesla Model Y and Zeekr 7X. The price is right as are the driving range and motor outputs.

There's room for improvement in terms of cabin packaging. The car doesn’t cater for taller, larger people up front, with the steering wheel placement and wide centre console. Cabin storage could also be much better.

Still, the Solterra is superb to drive. One of the best EVs I’ve piloted at this price.

In anticipation of the next-gen model, there hasn't been any design changes for the RAV4 - it remains a good-looking family SUV despite being a little heavy-handed with its angles.

Some external design highlights include garage friendly dimensions and a host of black accents across the body, including 18-inch alloy wheels that help to create an edgy kerb-side appeal.

Head inside and the RAV4 Cruiser offers a premium cabin-feel with its leather upholstery and large tech screens that headline the dashboard.

As always, there is a sense that design is based on functionality rather than style, which is typical of Toyota, but the simplicity makes the cabin relaxing to be in.

You’re not overwhelmed by touchpads or gadgets as can be the case in other new cars and there is a certain charm about that.

The Solterra is a mid-sized SUV with sporty coupe-like styling and this update has seen the front of the car receive a new look which to my eyes is better than the previous face. 

The rest of the car’s exterior remains mainly unchanged in the design.

If you aren’t a fan of the Solterra’s look then check out Toyota’s bZ4X, which is its twin and has slightly more conservative styling, and while I do like the Subaru’s face, I think Toyota’s tail-light treatment is cleaner.

The cabin is modern with a large central media screen, a high-placed instrument display and a wide centre console with dual phone chargers. But the squareish steering wheel steals the show, completing the futuristic vibe.

This update has seen the centre console re-designed with the dual chargers added and the gear-shifter moved backwards away from the media display.

The cabin doesn’t have much in the way of glitzy touches, with dark materials dominating throughout. Hard plastics abound, but the interior still looks and feels premium.

The RAV4 continues to impress with its practicality.

Access and comfort for both rows is excellent. The heat and cool functions for the front seats are perfect for all seasons and the two-position memory function on the driver’s side is handy if you often share driving duties with your partner.  

The rear row seating is well-padded and middle seaters will love the legroom the lower transmission tunnel offers. Head- and legroom is good in both rows, even for taller adults.

Amenities and storage are also great throughout the car.

Front rowers enjoy a decently sized middle console which I can squeeze my small handbag into, a glove box, two cupholders, two drink bottle holders, a phone tray and two shelves in the dashboard. You also get a sunglasses holder!

In the rear you get a single map pocket, two cupholders and two drink bottle holders, which is enough for my little family of three.

In terms of technology, you get a bunch and the usability is great.

The 10.5-inch touchscreen multimedia system looks really nice and is now the same system that Lexus uses, which is a big plus as it’s much easier to use than the previous Toyota one. The next-gen model should see this upgraded to a 12.3-inch system, which is more in line with its rivals.

You also get built-in satellite navigation, wireless Apple CarPlay and wired Android Auto. CarPlay maintains a strong connection.

There's a multitude of charging options throughout, including a USB-A port, four USB-C ports, a 12-volt socket and a wireless charging pad.

Rounding out the cabin is a boot that offers plenty of space with its 580L capacity and you get a temporary spare tyre, as well as, a retractable cargo cover.

However, the quality of the cargo cover isn't the best and it would be easier to use if it had a handle to grip onto.

The Cruiser model comes with a powered tailgate, which is always handy but the 'warning' alert as it opens or descends is very loud. Truck-reversing-beeping loud. Everyone will know when you open the boot!

The steering wheel’s square design is like that for a reason - it’s designed to provide the driver with a clearer view of the instrument cluster. But as noted in the past with other vehicles that choose this set up, the ergonomics don’t work for everybody - especially if you’re tall like me (I’m 189cm).

In my case the top of the steering wheel obstructs my visibility of the display, which shows vehicle speed among other crucial info. 

There’s also a problem with the clearance of the steering wheel and my legs. This is caused by a combination of my height, the low steering wheel and the limitations of how much it can be raised, the low-hip point in the seating position and the shape of the wheel. 

Add an overly wide centre console and space for larger and taller drives becomes even more cramped.

Moving the shifter back in this update also makes it more difficult to use for me and the mechanism is quite clunky.

Second row space is a much better story, with a flat floor, good headroom and lots of legroom even for me behind my driving position. The rear door aperture isn’t great and this has made installing child car seats and the corresponding child difficult.

Cabin storage could also be better. There’s no glove box, but there is space under the centre console, although this is now where the large driver’s manual lives. There’s a large centre console bin, big door pockets and four cupholders (two up front and two in the second row).

The second row has directional air vents and USB ports. There are USB ports up front, too.

Boot capacity isn't enormous at 421 litres in the entry-grade and 410 litres in the Touring. There’s no front boot, either. Under the bonnet is the Solterra’s front motor and electrical hardware.    

The Solterra is a five seater SUV, so no third row here.

The updated Solterra is offered in two grades. An entry-grade model, simply called Solterra, lists for $63,990 and above that is the Solterra Touring for $69,990. That’s up to seven thousand dollars more affordable than pre-update.

We tested the top-of-the-range Touring, which comes loaded with standard features, the only option being leather seats.

If you were wondering if you needed to spend the extra money on the Touring you might be pleased to know both grades have exactly the same powertrain and the entry-grade comes with plenty of standard features.

Coming standard on the entry grade Solterra are 18-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights and LED tail-lights, power mirrors, puddle lamps, a powered tailgate with kick-sensor (new with the update) and roof rails. 

There’s also synthetic leather seat trim, heated and eight-way power-adjustable front seats, a heated leather steering wheel, heated second row seats, dual-zone climate control, a 14-inch multimedia touchscreen (new) and 7.0-inch driver display, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, dual wireless phone chargers (new) and a six-speaker sound system.

The Solterra Touring comes standard with all this but adds 20-inch alloy wheels, a panoramic sun roof, ventilated front seats (new) and a 10-speaker Harman Kardon sound system.

The Touring also features a 220V vehicle-to-load (V2L) power outlet.

All RAV4 models have a continuously variable automatic transmission and the same hybrid combination of a 2.5L four-cylinder petrol engine and electric motor which combine to produce up to 160kW of power and 221Nm of torque for front-wheel-drive models. 

The combo delivers decent power for an SUV of this size.

The Solterra has two electric motors and as before there is one driving the front wheels, and one driving the rear wheels for all-wheel drive. Toyota’s bZ4X twin can be had in two-wheel drive and AWD.

The big news is the motors are now more powerful. Much more powerful. Combined output is 252KW (up from 160kW). That’s a huge increase but power is still less than the output of a Model Y or Zeekr 7X.

The front motor now makes 167kW/268Nm, while the rear motor produces 88kW/169Nm. Acceleration from 0-100km/h is about five seconds and that’s almost two seconds faster than the old version. 

The Toyota hybrid powertrain produces the lowest official combined fuel cycle figure compared to its rivals at just 4.7L/100km and the best theoretical driving range of up to 1170km courtesy of its 55L fuel tank.

After covering a mix of open-road and urban driving this week, the on-test figure is 5.5L/100km, which proves Toyota does hybrids well.

The updated Soltera’s battery size has increased to 74.7kWh. That’s up from 71.4kWh and means driving range has increased. 

The new, larger lithium ion battery delivers a range of 566km (WLTP) in the entry-grade Solterra (up from 414km). That addresses a big concern about the old car. The Touring has a range of 517km and any range above 500km is acceptable in my book.

Also big news is the increase in maximum AC charging capacity from 11kW to 22kW. DC charging capacity is the same at 150kW with 0-80 per cent charge in about 30 minutes.

Consumption officially ranges from about 14.6kWh/100km in the entry-grade Solterra to 16.0kW/100km in the Touring. The Touring we tested was reporting 17.0kW/100km according to the trip computer after 163km of testing in mainly urban conditions. 

The RAV4 Hybrid Cruiser 2WD is stupidly easy to drive which is one of its best qualities.

The driver is front and centre for design, so you don’t have to take your eyes off the road to twiddle with climate controls or changing your music. That makes the driving feel… well, cruisy.

Power delivery is mostly smooth and offers decent punch when you need to put your foot down. However, it can be laggy off the mark from a cold-start, so take care when crossing traffic.

Suspension feels well-tuned for our Aussie roads, even the regional ones, but never feels floaty. This is well-grounded but you do get some roll in corners.

A drawback is the cabin is annoyingly loud once you hit the open-road and there is a wind-whistle near the driver that drove me nuts.

There are also a lot of squeaky/rubbing noises when you hit bumpy roads. However, it is a refined experience around town, when engine noise is all but nil. The urban environment is where it shines. 

The steering is direct with a tight 11.4m turning circle, which makes the RAV4 easy to park. It also helps that the 360-degree view camera set-up is top-notch, which is not always the case for Toyota, and you get front and rear parking sensors too. 

The Solterra may slightly lag behind rivals in some areas such as range and power output, but where most rivals can barely touch it is when it comes to driving.

Currently there aren’t many electric vehicles that are good to drive, except for more prestige offerings from brands such as BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Porsche. 

The Solterra is one of the best electric vehicles I have driven at this price point and it’s down to the outstanding platform it shares with the Toyota bZ4X which provides superb ride comfort, great handling and excellent steering.

Acceleration is strong and traction from the all-wheel drive is good.

Sure, while the driving position needs improvement, the car itself is excellent to drive.

Visibility is also good and sound intrusion is minimal. We noticed some materials making noises in the cabin. Although this is common, with no engine to mask it, it becomes more noticeable in EVs. 

The Solterra has been awarded the maximum five-star ANCAP rating - but that was given under 2022 testing criteria and the bar has been raised quite a lot higher since then. 

Still, the level of safety technology is high with AEB, lane keeping assistance, blind spot warning and rear cross traffic alert onboard. 

Front and rear parking sensors are standard on both grades, as is a 360 degree camera view. Auto parking is standard on the Touring.

A digital rear vision mirror is also standard on both grades providing a clear and unobstructed view.

There are seven airbags present, including a front centre bag. And there are three child seat top tether points across the second row with ISOFIX anchors in the two outer positions.

The RAV4 is offered with a five-year/unlimited km warranty, but you add two more years if you service exclusively with Toyota and on schedule.

There is a five-year capped-priced servicing program and it costs just $260 per service, which is very competitive for the class.

Servicing intervals are reasonable at every 12-months or 15,000km whichever occurs first.

The Solterra is covered by Subaru’s five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty which is falling behind the seven-year warranty offered by many now. The battery is covered  by an eight-year, 160,000km warranty. 

There is also five years of capped price servicing with each yearly/15,000km service costing between $130-$300. That’s a very reasonable price.