The electric vehicle market is heating up, with nearly every major automaker now offering battery-powered models to meet the growing demand. Two of the most compelling new entries in the popular compact crossover SUV segment are the 2023 Subaru Solterra and 2022 Kia EV6.
The Solterra is Subaru‘s first-ever electric vehicle, developed jointly with Toyota. It aims to deliver Subaru‘s signature all-wheel drive performance and off-road capability in an emissions-free package. The EV6 is one of several electric models from Kia, with bold styling and an emphasis on on-road performance.
While both are similar in size and target the same general audience, there are key differences between the Solterra and EV6 in areas like power, range, technology and pricing. After extensively researching both vehicles, I‘ll provide an in-depth comparison to help you determine which is the best fit for your needs and budget. Let‘s dive in!
Performance
The Subaru Solterra features a dual-motor all-wheel drive system producing a combined 215 horsepower and 249 lb-ft of torque. The AWD setup provides excellent traction in all conditions, aided by a generous 8.3 inches of ground clearance and a special X-Mode that optimizes the drivetrain for off-road use.
Subaru is known for building some of the most capable and confidence-inspiring vehicles in snowy and rugged terrain, and the Solterra looks to continue that tradition in electrified form. The tradeoff is that it‘s not as quick as some rivals, with a 0-60 mph time of around 6.5 seconds. Top speed is capped at 110 mph.
The Kia EV6, on the other hand, prioritizes on-road performance. It uses the same platform as the very well-received Hyundai Ioniq 5. A variety of drivetrain configurations are offered. The base model is rear-wheel drive with a single 167 hp motor, while a larger battery boosts output to 225 hp. Dual-motor AWD is optional with 320 hp and 446 lb-ft of torque.
But the real star of the lineup is the high-performance EV6 GT. Its dual-motor system cranks out a prodigious 576 hp and 545 lb-ft, enough to rocket this family-friendly crossover to 60 mph in just 3.4 seconds. Kia says that‘s quicker than a Ferrari Roma. The GT also gets an electronic limited-slip differential, performance brakes, and stickier tires to make the most of the extra power.
So in terms of straight-line acceleration, the EV6 dominates this matchup, especially in the ridiculously quick 576-hp GT guise. The Solterra is more about steady, surefooted progress over any kind of terrain. One isn‘t necessarily better than the other – it just depends on your driving habits and needs.
Range & Charging
All the performance in the world doesn‘t mean much if your EV is constantly searching for a plug. I‘m happy to report that both the Solterra and EV6 offer competitive range and fast charging capability to minimize the time spent refueling.
The Subaru Solterra has an estimated range of up to 228 miles on a full charge of its 72.8 kWh battery pack. When it comes time to recharge, the Solterra can DC fast charge at speeds of up to 100 kW, allowing it to go from a 10% to 80% charge in 56 minutes. The included 120V charging cable can fully recharge the battery in about 50 hours, so 240V Level 2 charging is recommended for home use which reduces the time to around 9 hours.
Kia offers the EV6 with two battery sizes. The standard range 58 kWh pack is good for 232 miles of range in the base rear-drive model. Opting for the long range 77.4 kWh battery increases that to 310 miles, one of the longest of any EV on the market today. AWD drops that figure slightly to a still-impressive 274 miles.
When you find a 350 kW DC fast charger, the EV6 can charge from 10-80% in just 18 minutes, a notable advantage over the Solterra. Using a Level 2 charger, the EV6 can fully recharge in 7 hours and 10 minutes. In a pinch, the included Level 1 cable will do the job in 51 hours for the larger battery, 40 hours for the smaller one.
The EV6 is the clear winner in terms of outright range and charging times thanks to its larger available battery pack and 800V architecture that allows faster charging speeds. But the Solterra‘s 228-mile range should still be sufficient for most drivers‘ daily needs.
Driver Assistance & Safety
Safety is a top priority for Subaru, and the Solterra debuts some new technologies for the brand. It‘s the first Subaru to offer a 360-degree camera system that provides a top-down view to make parking and maneuvering in tight spaces easier. The second-generation EyeSight driver assist suite is standard, with automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assist, blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and automatic high beams.
Also included is a safe exit assist feature that alerts passengers to oncoming traffic when opening the doors. The Solterra earned a five-star overall safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration as well as a 2022 Top Safety Pick award from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.
The Kia EV6 offers a broadly similar array of active safety features as part of the standard DriveWise system. You get automated emergency braking, blind spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, automatic high beams, and a surround-view camera.
The EV6 goes a step further than the Solterra with an available Highway Driving Assist 2 semi-autonomous driving mode. HDA 2 can change lanes automatically when the turn signal is activated, and uses navigation data to slow down for curves and automatically adjust the speed based on the posted limit.
Kia has not yet published crash test ratings for the EV6. But given the brand‘s track record and the EV6‘s modern construction, it should prove just as safe and secure as the Solterra.
Interior & Technology
Inside, the Solterra has a clean, modern design centered around a 12.3-inch touchscreen that controls all infotainment functions. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard for easy smartphone integration. The system can receive over-the-air updates to add features and fix bugs.
A cool feature is a digital key that allows you to use your phone to lock, unlock and start the vehicle. You can also activate the climate control remotely so the cabin is at your preferred temperature before you get in. A wireless charging pad is included on all but the base trim.
Other notable tech features include a configurable 7-inch digital instrument panel and an intelligent assistant that responds to natural language commands beginning with "Hey Subaru." You can ask it to do things like set the temperature, open the windows, or find the nearest charging station.
The EV6‘s cabin has a sportier vibe with a wide center console and two-spoke steering wheel. Twin 12-inch screens are integrated into a single curved panel on the dash, one serving as a digital instrument cluster and the other handling infotainment duties.
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are included, as is a wireless charging pad on most trims. An available head-up display projects key information like speed and turn-by-turn directions on the windshield to help keep your eyes on the road. The standard 6-speaker audio system can be upgraded to a 14-speaker Meridian premium surround sound setup.
For such compact crossovers, both the Solterra and EV6 are surprisingly spacious inside. The boxy shape and flat floors provide generous headroom and legroom for five adult passengers. The Solterra has a bit more cargo space with 27.7 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 56.9 cubic feet with them folded, compared to 24.4 and 50.2 cubic feet for the EV6.
Pricing & Value
By far the biggest advantage the Solterra has over the EV6 is its much lower starting price of $44,995 for the Premium trim. For that price, you get standard all-wheel drive, the larger 20-inch wheels, a power driver‘s seat, heated front seats and steering wheel, a garage door opener, the wireless phone charger and more. The better-equipped Limited starts at $48,495 and the Touring tops the range at $51,995.
The entry-level EV6 Light with the smaller battery and rear-wheel drive starts at $48,700. Adding all-wheel drive to the Light is restricted to the larger battery and raises the price to $52,600. The mid-level Wind and sporty GT-Line trims are offered exclusively with AWD and the 77.4 kWh pack starting at $57,600 and $59,600 respectively. If you want the ridiculously quick EV6 GT, be prepared to spend at least $62,600.
At those prices, the EV6 costs anywhere from $3,705 to $17,605 more than an equivalent Solterra. That delta would be easier to justify if the base EV6 offered standard AWD, but it doesn‘t – and adding it requires stepping up to a costlier trim with the larger battery.
It‘s worth noting that, at the time of writing, both vehicles are eligible for the full $7,500 federal EV tax credit, in addition to any available state and local incentives. But the Solterra is certainly the more affordable option, with the lowest starting price of any electric SUV on the market today.
Bottom Line
The Subaru Solterra and Kia EV6 are two of the most compelling new electric crossovers you can buy right now. With zero tailpipe emissions and familiar SUV proportions, they make the switch to EV ownership easy and painless. But which one is right for you?
For drivers who favor on-road performance, the Kia EV6 is tough to beat. With up to 576 horsepower on tap in the GT model, it is one of the quickest and best-handling electric vehicles at any price. The EV6 also offers much longer maximum range of up to 310 miles and faster charging speeds, minimizing stops on long road trips. The tradeoffs are a higher price tag across the board and slightly less cargo space.
The more affordable Subaru Solterra, on the other hand, prioritizes traction and stability in all conditions with standard all-wheel drive and a robust 8.3 inches of ground clearance. Subaru‘s X-Mode enhances off-road capability beyond what most drivers would attempt in an EV. The comfortable, tech-rich interior has space for the whole family and their gear. In the Solterra, Subaru has created an EV without compromise, delivering the brand‘s signature rugged utility and value in a zero-emission package.
After weighing all the factors, the Subaru Solterra earns my recommendation for most buyers simply because it offers so much capability for the money. The EV6 is alluring and certainly worth stretching your budget for if maximum range and performance are your priorities, especially in the top GT trim. But at thousands less than even the cheapest EV6, the Solterra just makes more sense for the average driver.
Whichever you choose, both the Subaru Solterra and Kia EV6 are excellent electric crossovers that move the EV market meaningfully forward. They prove that going electric no longer requires sacrifice, with cutting-edge technology, generous equipment rosters and all the utility today‘s SUV buyers demand. The future of mobility is looking very bright indeed.
