Subaru Solterra vs Volkswagen ID.4

On the entry grades the Subaru edges it. The Solterra AWD claims 566km on the WLTP cycle from its 74.7kWh battery, against 547km for the rear-drive ID.4 Pro on a larger 82kWh pack. The Subaru travels further partly because it is more efficient, a claimed 146Wh per kilometre against the Volkswagen's 163. Both figures fall in the pricier grades, the Solterra Touring to 517km and the ID.4 GTX to 516km, so the cheaper car is the longer-legged one in each range. Treat both as laboratory numbers and expect a little less at highway speed.

The Solterra wins home charging, the ID.4 wins the highway. At home or a destination charger the Solterra is well ahead, with a 22kW three-phase AC on-board charger against the ID.4's 11kW, which roughly halves the time to refill from a wallbox. On a DC fast-charger the roles reverse: the Volkswagen peaks at 175kW to the Subaru's 150kW, so a highway top-up is a little quicker. Neither is class-leading on DC in a segment where 800-volt rivals charge faster still, so if you mostly charge in the driveway the Subaru's AC advantage is the one that counts.

They pull in opposite directions. The Solterra is the more efficient car at a claimed 146Wh per kilometre against 163 for the ID.4 Pro, so it uses less electricity for the same trip. The Volkswagen claws that back on servicing: it visits the workshop every 30,000km or two years, half as often as the Subaru's yearly 15,000km schedule, and carries five years of roadside assistance to the Subaru's one. Both come with a five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty and an eight-year, 160,000km battery guarantee, so the long-term cover is even.

Both carry a five-star ANCAP rating, so the decision sits in the sub-scores. The ID.4 rates higher for adult occupant protection at 93 per cent against 88, and for child occupant at 89 against 86. The Solterra scores better for vulnerable road users, 80 against 76, and for safety assist, 82 against 76, and it fits eight airbags to the Volkswagen's seven. Note the timing: the Solterra's rating is stamped 2025, while the ID.4's is a five-star result carried from a 2021 test. Both are very safe cars, so let the rest of the package decide.

The ID.4 is the more practical hauler despite being the shorter car overall. Its boot holds 543 litres with the rear seats up, folding to 1,575 litres, where the Solterra manages 421 litres in the base AWD and 410 in the Touring, below the 500-litre-plus mark that is common in this class. Both seat five and ride on flat electric-SUV floors, so rear-seat space is close, but for prams, sports gear and the weekly shop the Volkswagen has the clear edge. If maximum boot space is the priority, the ID.4 answers it.

For most families the ID.4 Pro makes the stronger case. Its 543-litre boot, service intervals of 30,000km or two years, and a composed ride Australian reviewers consistently praise make it the low-fuss daily, and at $64,990 driveaway as of 2026 it slightly undercuts the Subaru. The Solterra's counter is standard all-wheel drive on every grade, more efficiency and double the home-charging speed, which matter if you live where the weather turns or you charge on three-phase power. If boot space and easy ownership lead your list, take the ID.4; if traction and home charging do, the Solterra AWD earns the look.

The Solterra is the natural pick here. Every grade runs dual-motor all-wheel drive as standard, adds Subaru's X-Mode terrain settings and clears 212mm of ground, so gravel roads, boat ramps and grassy campsites are within its remit. The ID.4 gives you all-wheel drive only if you step up to the GTX, which as of 2026 asks about $10,000 more than the Pro; the base Pro is rear-wheel drive and sits lower at 177mm. Neither is a genuine off-roader, but for loose surfaces and wet-weather confidence without paying up a grade, the standard-traction Subaru is the safer bet.

A high-kilometre commuter should shortlist the Solterra AWD for its lower energy use, longer range and quicker home charging. It draws a claimed 146Wh per kilometre against the ID.4's 163, claims 566km, and its 22kW AC charging cuts driveway top-up times. The ID.4 Pro fights back on the workshop side, servicing every 30,000km or two years to the Subaru's yearly 15,000km, plus five years of roadside cover, which trims running costs over time. If you charge at home on three-phase power the Subaru's efficiency and AC speed win the week; if you rack up distance between services, the Volkswagen's longer intervals narrow the gap.