Skoda Enyaq vs Subaru Solterra

On the entry cars the Solterra wins clearly. Its base AWD claims 566km on a 74.7kWh battery, more than the Enyaq Select 60's 431km on a smaller 61kWh LFP pack. The gap narrows as you climb the Skoda range: the Sportline 85 reaches 551km and the RS 546km, both close to the Subaru. The Solterra Touring actually drops to 517km on its heavier 20-inch wheels, so the cheapest Solterra is also the longest-legged. Read the Solterra as the range pick if you buy at the entry grade. Read the Enyaq Sportline as the answer if you want similar range with a bigger boot.

The Enyaq. It opens at $55,990 driveaway for the Select 60 against the Solterra's $67,520 for the base AWD, roughly an $11,500 head start. Ownership widens the gap: the Skoda's seven-year warranty runs two years longer than Subaru's five, and its 30,000km or 24-month service cadence is twice as long as the Solterra's 15,000km or 12 months, so it visits the workshop half as often. Both cover the battery for eight years and 160,000km. The Solterra does publish capped-price servicing, which adds certainty. Read the Enyaq as the value and running-cost pick; read the Solterra as the buy if its extra standard kit justifies the premium.

The Solterra, and clearly so at home. Its 22kW three-phase AC doubles the Enyaq's 11kW, so a suitable wallbox refills it far quicker overnight. On DC fast charging the two are closer. The Solterra peaks at 150kW, while the Enyaq's bigger-battery Sportline 85 and RS reach 165kW and the LFP Select 60 manages 105kW. Both take roughly half an hour for a 10 to 80 per cent top-up. Read the Solterra as the charging pick for its home-charging edge; read the upper Enyaq grades as competitive on the highway if you rarely three-phase charge at home.

The Enyaq, mainly on boot space. It holds 585 litres seats-up and 1,710 with the rear seats folded, against the Solterra's 421 litres, a 164-litre advantage that shows with prams, luggage and the weekly shop. The Skoda also fits three-zone climate as standard where the Subaru runs dual-zone. Both seat five, both offer a power tailgate, and both feel roomy in the back. The Solterra's counter is standard all-wheel drive and more range, handy for family touring. Read the Enyaq as the practicality pick; read the Solterra as the choice if all-weather grip outranks cargo space for your family.

Both carry a current five-star ANCAP rating, so the split is in the detail. The Enyaq scores higher for occupant protection, at 94 per cent adult and 89 per cent child against the Solterra's 88 and 86. The Solterra scores higher for vulnerable road users and safety assist, at 80 and 82 per cent to the Enyaq's 71 and 73, fits eight airbags to the Skoda's seven on the base grade, and includes a 360-degree camera and auto high beam across the range where the Enyaq's Select 60 has neither. Read it as a genuine wash: strong occupant protection favours the Enyaq, broader standard assist favours the Solterra.

That is the cleanest dividing line. Every Solterra is dual-motor all-wheel drive, with 252kW and 212mm of ground clearance, so wet roads, gravel and light snow duty are covered on any grade. The Enyaq Select 60 and Sportline 85 are rear-wheel drive, and only the $79,990 RS adds all-wheel drive. If all-paw security is on your list and you do not want to reach the flagship, the Solterra answers it for far less. If you mostly drive sealed suburban roads, the Enyaq's rear drive is no handicap, and its boot and ownership terms become the deciding factors instead.

For a household making its first EV switch, the Enyaq is the easier recommendation. The 585-litre boot, three-zone climate and polished, familiar cabin make it a low-stress step from a petrol SUV, and the seven-year warranty plus 30,000km servicing take the anxiety out of ownership. Range is competitive from the Sportline 85 up. The Solterra earns a look if the family regularly heads off the blacktop or tackles snow, since its standard all-wheel drive and 566km base range suit touring. Read the Enyaq as the default family pick; read the Solterra as the choice for families who value all-weather grip over cargo space.

On value the Enyaq leads. It gets you into a medium EV for $55,990 driveaway, close to $11,500 under the Solterra's entry AWD, and its seven-year warranty and 30,000km service intervals lower the cost and hassle of keeping it. The trade is that the base Select 60 is rear-drive and 140kW, so value here means accepting less power and no all-wheel drive. The Solterra's answer is that its higher price buys standard all-wheel drive, more range and faster home charging on every grade. Read the Enyaq as the value buy; read the Solterra as worth the premium if you use what it adds.

For gravel roads, snow trips and gear-hauling weekends, the Solterra is the natural fit. Standard all-wheel drive, 252kW and 212mm of ground clearance give it security the rear-drive Enyaq grades lack, and its 566km base range suits longer touring runs. The Enyaq only matches the all-wheel-drive traction with the RS, which costs more than either Solterra. What the Skoda offers this buyer is the bigger boot for the gear and the longer warranty. Read the Solterra as the active-lifestyle pick on grip and range; read the Enyaq RS as the alternative if you want polish with all-wheel drive and can stretch the budget.