Compare the2026 Subaru SolterraVS 2026 Chevrolet Equinox EV

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Brakes and Stopping
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics

Safety

© 1999 - 2025Advanta-STAR Automotive Research, all rights reserved. This vehicle comparison and all of the content in it are provided only by license from Advanta-STAR Automotive Research Corporation of America (“Advanta-STAR”). If you are not a legally licensed user of this vehicle comparison, it is against federal law to access it, copy it, forward it, or use it in any manner whatsoever. Any unauthorized use of this vehicle comparison is a violation of U.S. and international law and is punishable criminally and civilly. Removal of this watermark/notification without prior written license and approval received from Advanta-STAR is an agreement, understanding, and/or stipulation by the person(s), entities, agents, attorneys, and any other persons involved in the removal of this watermark/notification (including but not limited to Search Optics, LLC and any and all parent entities, sister entities, and subsidiary entities of Search Optics, LLC and/or any other entity, agent, attorney, and persons related in any manner to Search Optics, LLC) to: 1) an agreed upon amount of liquidated monetary damages of a minimum of $1,250,000.00 US Dollars in favor of Advanta-STAR; 2) the jurisdiction and enforcement of any legal claims associated with this matter asserted by Advanta-STAR in the United States Federal District Court in Portand, Oregon; and 3) service of process of any legal claims asserted by Advanta-STAR associated with this matter may be accomplished by First-Class Postage by the United States Postal Service or comparable service. HHRTO-PMOAK 2a06:98c0:3600::103 2025/12/19

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 Equinox EV 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 Equinox EV.

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

To deliver safety and visibility under dusty conditions the Subaru Solterra’s backup monitor has a standard rear washer to keep the view clear. A camera washer system costs extra on the Chevrolet Equinox EV.

Both the Solterra and the Equinox EV 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, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning and available around view monitors.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Subaru Solterra is safer than the Chevrolet Equinox EV:

	Solterra	Equinox EV
	Passenger
STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	227	336
Chest Compression	.5 inches	.6 inches
Neck Stress	130 lbs.	174 lbs.
Neck Compression	25 lbs.	39 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH, results indicate that the Subaru Solterra is safer than the Chevrolet Equinox EV:

	Solterra	Equinox EV
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	103	128
Chest Movement	.4 inches	.9 inches
Abdominal Force	86 lbs.	163 lbs.
Hip Force	237 lbs.	288 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The Subaru Solterra has achieved the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) highest rating of “Top Safety Pick Plus” for the 2025 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 Equinox EV has not yet been evaluated by the IIHS for 2025.

Warranty

The Solterra’s corrosion warranty is unlimited miles longer than the Equinox EV’s (unlimited vs. 100,000 miles).

Reliability

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the Solterra’s reliability 13 points higher than the Equinox EV.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ March 2025 Auto Issue reports that Subaru vehicles are more reliable than Chevrolet vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Subaru first in overall reliability. Chevrolet is ranked 16th.

Engine

The Solterra’s standard electric motors produces 13 more horsepower (233 vs. 220) than the Equinox EV’s standard electric motor. The Solterra XT’s standard electric motors produces 50 more horsepower (338 vs. 288) than the Equinox EV’s optional electric motors.

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the Solterra gets better mileage than the Equinox EV:

			MPGe
Solterra
	AWD	Premium Electric Motors	131 city/109 hwy
		Limited Electric Motors	128 city/105 hwy
		XT Electric Motors	128 city/105 hwy
Equinox EV
	FWD	Electric Motor	117 city/100 hwy
	AWD	Electric Motors	112 city/95 hwy
		RS Electric Motors	103 city/88 hwy

The Solterra has a standard locking charge port which locks and unlocks with the power locks. The Equinox EV doesn’t have a locking charge port. A locking charge port prevents tampering and damage.

Brakes and Stopping

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

	Solterra	Equinox EV
Front Rotors	12.9 inches	12.6 inches
Rear Rotors	12.5 inches	12.4 inches

The Solterra stops shorter than the Equinox EV:

	Solterra	Equinox EV
70 to 0 MPH	183 feet	189 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH (Wet)	145 feet	146 feet	Consumer Reports

Suspension and Handling

The Solterra Touring handles at .80 G’s, while the Equinox EV RS pulls only .78 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

For better maneuverability, the Solterra’s turning circle is 1.4 feet tighter than the Equinox EV’s (36.7 feet vs. 38.1 feet).

For greater off-road capability the Solterra has a 1.9 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the Equinox EV (8.3 vs. 6.4 inches), allowing the Solterra to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

Chassis

The Subaru Solterra may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 400 to 550 pounds less than the Chevrolet Equinox EV.

The Solterra is 6 inches shorter than the Equinox EV, 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 Equinox EV doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

Passenger Space

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

Cargo Capacity

The Solterra has a larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Equinox EV with its rear seat folded (63.5 vs. 57.2 cubic feet).

Servicing Ease

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Subaru service is better than Chevrolet. J.D. Power ranks Subaru third in service department satisfaction. With a 21% lower rating, Chevrolet is ranked 13th.

Ergonomics

The Solterra’s standard easy entry system glides the driver’s seat back, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. An easy entry system costs extra on the Equinox EV.

The Solterra’s front and rear power windows all open or close with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside of the car. The Equinox EV’s standard power window switches have to be held the entire time to close them fully. The Equinox EV’s optional passenger windows don’t close automatically.

If the windows are left open on the Solterra the driver can close all of them 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 Equinox EV can only close the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

In poor weather, headlights can lose their effectiveness as grime builds up on their lenses. This can reduce visibility without the driver realizing. The Solterra has standard headlight washers to keep headlight output high. The Equinox EV doesn’t offer headlight washers.

The Solterra’s standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. Chevrolet charges extra for heated mirrors on the Equinox EV.

Both the Subaru Solterra and Chevrolet Equinox EV offer exterior mirrors that can be folded to provide convenience. The Solterra offers available power folding mirrors, which allow for easy, one-touch folding or unfolding at the driver’s discretion. This provides added convenience when maneuvering or parking, as well as when walking past the parked vehicle. In comparison, the Equinox EV’s foldable mirrors are manual, requiring the driver to get out and physically fold them once parked and unfold them before getting in.

The Solterra has a standard dual zone air conditioning allows the driver and front passenger to choose two completely different temperatures so people with different temperature preferences won’t have to compromise. This makes both the driver and front passenger as comfortable as possible. Dual zone air conditioning costs extra on the Equinox EV.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Subaru Solterra has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console for two separate devices. Wireless charging costs extra on the Equinox EV, and only charges one device.

The Solterra Limited/Touring has a 115-volt a/c outlet in the cargo area, allowing you to recharge a laptop or run small household appliances without special adapters that can break or get misplaced. The Equinox EV doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

See Available Inventory