Two new electric SUVs with family-friendly dimensions: Subaru Solterra and Nissan Ariya in the How To Cars comparison test based on points.
Let's start with one thing in common: A heat pump is standard on both models - the heating system does not use the valuable battery supply directly. The first differences become apparent as soon as you climb into the driver's seat. In the Subaru you sit halfway up – more crossover than SUV high seat.
Poor readability in the Subaru cockpit
The Peugeot-like arrangement of the cockpit over the steering wheel is intended to replace a head-up display . Unfortunately, the cockpit with the speedometer and (difficult to read) range indicator, which is placed far forward, is only not covered by the steering wheel when the driver is seated high and the steering wheel is pushed far down.
Those who like to squat dynamically low will be just as unhappy as those with long legs. The previously only announced aircraft-style rudder with flattened top and bottom would be an improvement.
Tidy workplace in the Nissan
Those who like to sit high will get their money's worth, especially in the Nissan . Tall drivers, on the other hand, often look at the headliner because the downward adjustment range is too small. Unique: The center console can be retracted electrically so that nobody is walled in. We only know so much airiness from the expensive BMW iX.
Despite the flowing roofline, the headroom in the back is also long enough. The find in the Subaru rear even more space up, but at the price of too deep a seat - a colleague felt reminded of parents' evenings in kindergarten. Solterra rear passengers sit a full two inches closer to the car floor than those in the Ariya, with legs bent like frogs. In addition, they can hardly push their feet under the front seats.
The Solterra can also bad paths
The fundamentally different characters are already apparent before you set off: the Nissan is the lounge on wheels with a reduced interior. The Subaru rolls up with narrower tires with higher flanks and signals with large unpainted areas: I'm the guy for the more robust jobs!
A promise that he keeps on loose ground. 21 centimeters of ground clearance are clearly not at Defender level, but better than the 18 of the Nissan. This Subaru also has the brand-typical X-Mode button with mud and snow driving modes, as well as the Grip Control off-road cruise control, which can be fine-tuned between 2 and 10 km/h using a rocker switch – just steer. This allows even completely inexperienced drivers to excel off-road.
The Subaru springs finer
The steering is also different: American smooth-running in the Nissan, even a bit wobbly in the dodge test. The one in the Subaru requires more hand strength, matching the more solid character.
Difference in comfort: The Subaru's suspension responds more sensitively to transverse grooves and cobblestones than that of the Nissan.
In the suspension chapter, the Subaru collects more points, speaks to slow cross grooves or cobblestones more finely. Upside-down world at Nissan: Initially, the 20-inch springs to harsher than that of the Subaru. On the other hand, when riding fast over undulating asphalt, the hindquarters seem a bit under-cushioned. But he always stays safe.
We loaded at three degrees. The Subaru loaded with a maximum of 100 instead of the specified 150 kW. When the battery level reached 80 percent, the electricity only trickled in at just under 7 kW. It takes forever to get to 100 percent. And it charges at the wall box with 6.6 kW because it only has a single-phase on-board charger. The Solterra with a three-phase on-board charger will not be available until autumn 2023.
Big differences in loading
The Ariya charged with a maximum of 80 kW instead of the specified 130 kW, but up to 80 percent smoothly and even with a charge level of 99 percent with around 20 kW. The base Ariya also only has a single-phase on-board charger, but our example had the Evolve Pack on board, which includes a three-phase one—clearly faster.
In the Solterra, the drowsiness detection often reports for trivial reasons: "Inattention on the part of the driver detected." It's no wonder he's hanging around at the charging station for so long when it's cold.
Conclusion
Same format, different nature: the Nissan pleases with its living room-like airiness, the Subaru, which is even more comfortable on the chassis side, is the electric car of choice for rougher use. Both are not the spearhead of lightning-fast charging technology, Subaru in particular is weak here.
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