Vehicle comparison
Subaru Solterra vs Toyota bZ4X
Side-by-side fuel and ownership cost comparison. Estimates use 12,000 mi/year at average US gas and electricity prices.
- Updated for 2026
- EPA-style MPG
- US avg fuel prices
- EV rates vary by state
- Transparent assumptions
Lowest running cost
Toyota bZ4X wins on fuel cost
At 12,000 miles per year, the Toyota bZ4X costs about $582 per year, roughly $38 less than the Subaru Solterra. Over 5 years, that's about $188 in fuel savings.
Spec & cost comparison
MPG/MPGe figures are estimates based on typical recent model years.
| Spec | Subaru Solterra | Toyota bZ4X |
|---|---|---|
| Type | EV | EV |
| Fuel | Electric | Electric |
| City MPG/MPGe | 114 | 119 |
| Highway MPG/MPGe | 94 | 96 |
| Combined MPG/MPGe | 104 | 108 |
| Battery (kWh) | 72.8 kWh | 71.4 kWh |
| Energy cost | $0.16/kWh | $0.16/kWh |
| Cost per mile | $0.052 | $0.048 |
Annual cost at 8k / 12k / 15k miles
Estimated yearly charging spend at common US mileage levels.
| Miles/year | Subaru Solterra | Toyota bZ4X | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8,000 | $413/yr · $34/mo | $388/yr · $32/mo | $25 (Toyota bZ4X) |
| 12,000 | $619/yr · $52/mo | $582/yr · $48/mo | $38 (Toyota bZ4X) |
| 15,000 | $774/yr · $65/mo | $727/yr · $61/mo | $47 (Toyota bZ4X) |
Estimates only. Real costs depend on driving style, terrain, local gas/electricity prices and weather.
Which one is best for…
Best for commuting
Toyota bZ4X
Highest combined MPG/MPGe and lowest cost per mile means cheaper daily driving.
See Toyota bZ4XBest for road trips
Toyota bZ4X
Better highway efficiency, larger tank/battery and longer range between stops.
See Toyota bZ4XBest for families
Toyota bZ4X
SUVs, minivans and three-row vehicles win on space and child-seat flexibility.
See Toyota bZ4XBest for lowest running cost
Toyota bZ4X
Cheaper energy use and lower cost per mile at every common mileage tier.
See Toyota bZ4XHow we compare these vehicles
- Annual mileage
- Modeled at 12,000 mi/yr unless a scenario specifies otherwise.
- Cost per mile
- $/gal ÷ MPG, or $/kWh ÷ (MPGe ÷ 33.7) for EVs.
- EV vs gas
- Compared at average US gas and residential electricity prices — fast-charging can be 2–3× higher.
- Maintenance
- Fuel cost only — EVs typically save another $400–$1,000/yr in service and brake wear.
Sources & assumptions
- EPA fuel economy data — City / highway / combined MPG and MPGe baselines.
- U.S. Department of Energy (fueleconomy.gov) — Vehicle efficiency and EV range references.
- AAA gas price trends — Recent national and regional retail fuel averages.
- EIA electricity rates — Average residential per-kWh prices used for EV charging.
We summarize publicly available data — no scraping, no external API calls. Figures are calibrated periodically; use the calculators above for your exact inputs.
Frequently asked questions
Which is cheaper to drive, the Subaru Solterra or Toyota bZ4X?
At 12,000 miles per year, the Toyota bZ4X costs about $582 per year vs $619 for the Subaru Solterra — roughly $38 less per year.
What's the MPG difference between the Subaru Solterra and Toyota bZ4X?
The Subaru Solterra is rated around 104 combined MPGe versus 108 MPGe for the Toyota bZ4X. Highway figures are 94 vs 96.
How much will I spend on charging over 5 years?
Driving 12,000 miles a year for five years, expect about $3097 for the Subaru Solterra and $2909 for the Toyota bZ4X, a difference of roughly $188.
Is the Subaru Solterra or Toyota bZ4X better for commuting?
For pure cost per mile, the Toyota bZ4X wins. EVs charged at home typically deliver the lowest commuting cost, followed by hybrids and efficient compacts.
Which one is better for road trips?
Toyota bZ4X is generally the better road-trip choice — gas and hybrid vehicles win on long highway routes thanks to faster refueling, while EVs work best when charging stops fit your route.
Are these fuel cost numbers accurate for my driving?
They're estimates based on EPA-style combined MPG and average US gas and electricity prices. Real-world cost depends on local fuel prices, driving style, terrain, weather and how much city vs highway driving you do.