Subaru Solterra vs Subaru Outback

It dates back to the days of the raised station wagon, before a crossover was a must-have—or even a thing. It’s now in its sixth generation, and it was just refreshed last year, but while others have ballooned into mini-SUVs, the Outback has clung steadfastly to the station wagon shape.

In Canada, the 2024 Outback comes in Convenience, Touring, Onyx, Limited, Wilderness, Limited XT, and Premier XT trims. The bottom four trims come with the base engine, while the Wilderness and the two XT trims come with the higher-powered turbocharged mill. Updates for this year include feature-enriched trim levels and trim-specific aesthetic tweaks.

Verdict: Not everyone needs or wants a massive vehicle. With its higher ride height and excellent visibility, the Outback delivers the peace of mind many seek from an SUV in a smaller and more practical package. The broad trim spectrum means you can get a luxury experience at a lower price point or a no-nonsense version much cheaper.

Just one year after Subaru introduced its first electric car, the 2024 Solterra receives changes to upgrade battery charging, update the EyeSight collection of standard safety features, enhance comfort and convenience, and add utility. Although there’s been a slight increase in its base price for 2024, the Subaru Solterra continues to qualify for the Canadian federal government’s iZEV rebate program as well as provincial and territorial incentives where they exist.

Verdict: With the 2024 Solterra, Subaru has a more credible EV to sell. From the new steering wheel and available ventilated front seats to the updated EyeSight features and quicker charging battery pack, it is more appealing than before. However, unimpressive range ratings remain an issue.