Subaru Solterra EV looks a lot like a Toyota bZ4X in new pics
Subaru’s upcoming Solterra electric SUV is looking a lot more like the Toyota bZ4X with every new detail.
Fresh teaser images released by Subaru overnight show a mid-sized SUV that seems to share plenty with the upcoming Toyota bZ4X that is due in Australia in 2022.
Subaru’s first EV – which Subaru Australia says it is “very interested” in – shares its e-TNGA platform with the bZ4X, although Subaru has rebranded it as the e-Subaru Global Platform.
READ MORE: Subaru Solterra on sale in 2022
READ MORE: Toyota first EV, the bZ4X, revealed ahead of 2022 on-sale
It is the latest partnership between the two brands (Toyota owns 20 percent of Subaru), the most obvious of which is the Toyota 86 and Subaru BRZ sports cars that are all but identical.
The new pictures of the Solterra show a close-up of the front corner of the car revealing a headlight and bumper treatment very similar to that of the bZ4X.
The pictures show the Solterra in a forest environment partially covered by trees and foliage.
In one side-on picture Subaru has used a rain drop falling from a leaf to cover the centre of the car, then providing an upside down reflection within the water droplet.
If you zoom in and rotate images you get a better idea of how the car looks – and how the Solterra compares with the bZ4X.
There are differences, such as the LED elements within the headlight, but it appears the two cars will share plenty, including the prominent black cladding around the wheels and many body panels.
Even the the way the distinctive tail lights cut into the bumper and rear quarter panel of each car is almost identical, as you can see from the comparison below.
It’s worth remembering that the only images so far revealed of the bZ4X are of a concept car, albeit one that looks close to production. While it’s not stated in the short press release that accompanied the new Solterra images, the Subaru appears to be the production-ready version, right down to its unpainted black plastic exterior design highlights.
So the Toyota could also change slightly in the lead up to its mid-2022 arrival in Australia.
Inside, the Solterra also seems an almost carbon copy of the bZ4X. The centre console and infotainment screen are very similar, right down to the ambient lighting that seems to cover a storage pod.
And each has a high-mounted digital instrument cluster that is close to the driver’s line of sight.
One key difference between Solterra and bZ4X is the steering wheel: the Subaru gets a circular wheel that’s a lot different to the Batman-style wheel (with a chopped-off top) in the Toyota (a wheel also similar to the yoke on the updated Tesla Model S due in Australia late in 2022); click here to see more images of the bZ4X to compare. If we’re guessing, that could be one of the elements that changes on the production version of the bZ4X.
Subaru also showed off the Solterra’s rump, complete with the AWD badge proudly displayed, suggesting it will have a dual-motor setup.
The final teaser image released by Subaru was shot from overhead, showing a panoramic glass sunroof of a car tackling some light gravel tracks.
The only other clues as to what lies beneath the skin of the Solterra is a promise it will be “the most technologically advanced Subaru yet” … which you would expect.
Subaru also said: “Packed with advanced safety technology, the versatile and capable Solterra is built from Subaru SUV DNA, including legendary Subaru Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive and plenty of ground clearance.”
Sounds like it could be designed to do at least some form of off-roading, no doubt taking advantages of the benefits of electric motors and an EV setup off-road.
Subaru is officially calling the Solterra a 2023 model, the company also said it will go on sale in America in mid-2022.
It will compete with a raft of upcoming mid-sized SUVs and crossovers, including the Kia EV6, Hyundai Ioniq 5, Tesla Model Y and Nissan Ariya, among others.
As for Australia, nothing has changed since earlier this year when Subaru confirmed the Solterra name. That means there’s nothing confirmed in terms of timing, although Subaru Australia says it is interested.
“The Subaru factory in Japan confirms there is no timeline for the electric Solterra vehicle for Australia,” a Subaru spokesperson told us. “However, we are very interested and future electric vehicle projects form part of ongoing dialogue between Subaru Australia and the factory.”
As for where it is likely to be priced, that’s also an unknown. The only clue we have to how much a Solterra could cost come from the Toyota side of the fence. Toyota Australia has warned the bZ4X will not be cheap.
