Compare the2024 Subaru SolterraVS 2024 Kia EV6

For enhanced safety, the front and rear seat shoulder belts of the Subaru Solterra have pretensioners to tighten the seatbelts and eliminate dangerous slack in the event of a collision. The Kia EV6 doesn’t offer pretensioners for its rear seat belts.

The Subaru Solterra has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags helps prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The EV6 doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

The Solterra has a standard Secondary Collision Brake, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The EV6 doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, Full-Time Four-Wheel Drive is standard on the Solterra. But it costs extra on the EV6.

When descending a steep, off-road slope, the Solterra’s standard Downhill Assist Control allows you to creep down safely. The EV6 doesn’t offer Downhill Assist Control.

Both the Solterra and the EV6 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, 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 Subaru Solterra has achieved the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) highest rating of “Top Safety Pick Plus” for the 2024 model year. This distinction is based on its exceptional performance in IIHS’ rigorous battery of safety tests. Specifically, it earned a “Good” rating in the latest, more stringent moderate overlap front crash test, a “Good” result in the updated side impact test, and a “Good” score in the revised pedestrian crash prevention test. The EV6 has not yet been fully evaluated by the IIHS for 2024.

The Solterra’s 5 year corrosion warranty has no mileage limitations, but the corrosion warranty on the EV6 runs out after 100,000 miles.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2024 Auto Issue reports that Subaru vehicles are more reliable than Kia vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Subaru 4 places higher in reliability than Kia.

The Solterra’s electric motors produces 48 more horsepower (215 vs. 167) than the EV6 Light Short Range’s standard electric motor.

On the EPA test cycle the Solterra gets better mileage than the EV6:

The Solterra can travel longer on a full charge than the EV6 on a full charge:

The Solterra’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs standard on the EV6 are solid, not vented.

For better maneuverability, the Solterra’s turning circle is 1.5 feet tighter than the EV6’s (36.7 feet vs. 38.2 feet). The Solterra’s turning circle is 2.5 feet tighter than the EV6 GT’s (36.7 feet vs. 39.2 feet).

For greater off-road capability the Solterra has a 2.2 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the EV6 (8.3 vs. 6.1 inches), allowing the Solterra to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The Solterra has a larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the EV6 with its rear seat folded (63.5 vs. 50.2 cubic feet).

The Solterra’s cargo area is larger than the EV6’s in almost every dimension:

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Subaru service is better than Kia. J.D. Power ranks Subaru 7th in service department satisfaction (above the industry average). With a 39% lower rating, Kia is ranked 24th.

The Solterra’s front and rear power windows all open or close fully with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The EV6’s rear power window switches have to be held the entire time to open or close them fully.

If the windows are left open on the Solterra the driver can close them all at the outside door handle. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows at the outside door handle or from a distance using the keyless remote. (This window function must be activated by your Subaru service department.) The driver of the EV6 can only close the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

To help drivers avoid possible obstacles, the Solterra Limited/Touring has standard cornering lights to illuminate around corners when the turn signals are activated. The EV6 doesn’t offer cornering lights.

Insurance will cost less for the Solterra owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the Solterra will cost $515 less than the EV6 over a five-year period.