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June 17, 2022
Test drive of the bZ4X and Solterra, the SUV-type BEVs jointly developed by Toyota and Subaru. What are the differences in their ride quality? | TOYOTA SUBARU
TOYOTA bZ4X
SUBARU SOLTERRA
Test Drive of the SUV-type BEVs Jointly Developed by Toyota and Subaru
Text by OGAWA Fumio
The TOYOTA bZ4X and SUBARU SOLTERRA, SUV-type BEVs (Battery Electric Vehicles) jointly developed by Toyota and Subaru, were launched in May. With identical body silhouettes and even dimensions, do these two models offer different driving experiences? Motor journalist Fumio Ogawa reports after attending a press test drive event.
Same Chassis, Powertrain, and Body Size
Will 2022 truly be the year of EVs for Japanese manufacturers? Following the launch of the Nissan Ariya, Toyota Motor Corporation and Subaru Corporation released their jointly developed BEVs (Battery Electric Vehicles) in May 2022.
The TOYOTA bZ4X and SUBARU SOLTERRA share the same chassis and powertrain. Both models offer two drivetrain options: a front-wheel-drive system with a 150kW motor in the "e-Axle" and a four-wheel-drive model with 80kW "e-Axles" on both front and rear.
What's interesting is that despite having identical body sizes, wheelbase, and overall silhouette, the two cars exhibit distinct characters when driven.
In short, the Toyota model offers a slightly milder feel, while the Subaru model has a sportier character. Indeed, when I confirmed this with Daisuke Ono, General Manager of the Product Planning Department at Subaru, he stated, "We didn't want to disappoint the expectations of Subarists who love Subaru cars."
These sister cars were developed through a project involving an equal number of engineers from both companies, and the development was based at a Toyota facility. However, Subaru took the lead, and the final product reportedly aligned with Mr. Ono's vision.
The Toyota development team took this foundation and applied their own tuning. They modified the dampers, adjusted the power steering feel, and chose different tire sizes – 18 inches for the bZ4X compared to the Solterra's 20 inches. They explained to me that these changes were made "to ensure a smooth transition for existing Toyota owners."
The models I drove were both four-wheel-drive versions. Here too, there's a difference: the Solterra, reflecting Subaru's commitment, features permanent all-wheel drive with torque constantly supplied to both front and rear wheels. The bZ4X, on the other hand, operates in front-wheel-drive mode during low-load driving conditions, such as on highways.