Compare the2024 Subaru SolterraVS 2024 Toyota Mirai

In the past twenty years hundreds of infants and young children have died after being left in vehicles, usually by accident. When turning the vehicle off, drivers of the Solterra are reminded to check the back seat if they opened the rear door before starting out. The Mirai doesn’t offer a back seat reminder.

The Solterra has all-wheel drive to maximize traction under poor conditions, especially in ice and snow. The Mirai doesn’t offer all-wheel drive.

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

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the Solterra has standard Rear Cross Traffic Alert with Parking Support Brake, systems which detect vehicles approaching from the sides and can automatically apply the brakes to prevent a collision. Parking Support Brake costs extra on the Mirai.

Both the Solterra and the Mirai have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, post-collision automatic braking systems, 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 Mirai has not yet been evaluated by the IIHS for 2024.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Subaru vehicles are better in initial quality than Toyota vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Subaru above average in initial quality. With 9 more problems per 100 vehicles, Toyota is rated lower.

The Solterra’s electric motors produces 33 more horsepower (215 vs. 182) and 28 lbs.-ft. more torque (249 vs. 221) than the Mirai’s electric motor.

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

For better stopping power the Solterra’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Mirai:

For better maneuverability, the Solterra’s turning circle is 1.8 feet tighter than the Mirai’s (36.7 feet vs. 38.5 feet).

The Solterra is 11.2 inches shorter than the Mirai, making the Solterra easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The front grille of the Solterra uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The Mirai doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The Solterra has .4 inches more front headroom, 1.3 inches more rear headroom, 2.2 inches more rear legroom and 1.6 inches more rear shoulder room than the Mirai.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the Solterra’s rear seats recline. The Mirai’s rear seats don’t recline.

The Solterra’s standard rear seats fold to accommodate long and bulky cargo. The Mirai doesn’t offer folding rear seats.

To make loading and unloading groceries and cargo easier, especially for short adults, the Solterra Limited/Touring has a standard power liftgate, which opens and closes automatically by pressing a button. The Mirai doesn’t offer a power trunk.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Subaru service is better than Toyota. J.D. Power ranks Subaru 7th in service department satisfaction (above the industry average). With a 26% lower rating, Toyota is ranked 21st.

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 Mirai doesn’t offer cornering lights.

On extremely cold winter days, the Solterra Limited/Touring’s standard heated steering wheel provides comfort, allowing the driver to steer safely and comfortably before the vehicle heater warms up. The Mirai doesn’t offer a heated steering wheel.

The Subaru Solterra outsold the Toyota Mirai by over three to one during 2023.