Compare the2026 Lexus ESVS 2026 Subaru Solterra

Both the ES and the Solterra have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, available all wheel drive, around view monitors and driver alert monitors.

The ES comes with a full 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire car and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The Solterra’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year or 14,000 miles sooner.

Lexus’ powertrain warranty covers the ES 1 year and 10,000 miles longer than Subaru covers the Solterra. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 6 years or 70,000 miles. Coverage on the Solterra ends after only 5 years or 60,000 miles.

The ES’ corrosion warranty is 1 year longer than the Solterra’s (6 vs. 5 years).

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Lexus vehicles are better in initial quality than Subaru vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Lexus first in initial quality, above the industry average. With 21 more problems per 100 vehicles, Subaru is ranked 11th.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the statistics that show that Lexus vehicles are more reliable than Subaru vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Lexus first in reliability, above the industry average. With 72 more problems per 100 vehicles, Subaru is ranked 21st.

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

The ES’ standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 55 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Solterra Premium’s standard 60 series tires. The ES’ optional tires have a lower 45 series profile than the Solterra Limited/Touring’s 50 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the ES has standard 19-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the Solterra Premium. The ES’ optional 21-inch wheels are larger than the 20-inch wheels on the Solterra Limited/Touring.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the ES’ wheelbase is 3.9 inches longer than on the Solterra (116.1 inches vs. 112.2 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the ES is 2.6 inches wider in the front and 3.3 inches wider in the rear than the track on the Solterra.

The Lexus ES may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs up to about 350 pounds less than the Subaru Solterra.

The ES uses computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The Solterra doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

The ES has 2.4 inches more front hip room, 5.4 inches more rear legroom and 9.1 inches more rear hip room than the Solterra.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Lexus service is better than Subaru. J.D. Power ranks Lexus second in service department satisfaction. With a 4% lower rating, Subaru is ranked third.

Unlike the driver-only memory seat and mirrors in the Solterra, the ES Luxury has a passenger memory, so that when drivers switch, the memory setting adjusts the driver’s seat, steering wheel position and outside mirror angle and the front passenger seat also adjusts to the new passenger’s preset preferences.

The ES Luxury/Premium+ has a standard heads-up display that projects speed in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The Solterra doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

The ES’ standard Smart Access allow you to unlock the doors from any outside door handle, open the trunk, and start the car, all without removing the key from the pocket or purse. Keyless Access and Start standard on the Solterra doesn’t offer a sensor on the rear doors, so you’ll have to reach a front handle to unlock the rear door.

To help drivers avoid possible obstacles, the ES Luxury has standard cornering lights to illuminate around corners when the turn signals are activated. The Solterra doesn’t offer cornering lights.

A power rear sunshade and manual rear side window sunshades are standard in the ES Luxury to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The Solterra doesn’t offer a rear or rear side window sunshades.

The Lexus ES has power folding mirrors that offer unparalleled convenience while maneuvering in tight places or parked. With the mirrors folded it’s easier to walk past and help prevent parking damage. The mirrors can be quickly unfolded when the driver is ready to leave. Power folding mirrors are only offered on the Solterra Limited/Touring.

The ES has standard front air conditioned seats and the ES 350e Luxury offers them optionally in the rear. This keeps the passengers comfortable and takes the sting out of hot seats in summer. The Solterra doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats in the rear.

The ES has a standard heated steering wheel to take the chill out of steering on extremely cold winter days before the car heater warms up. A heated steering wheel is only available on the Solterra Limited/Touring.

Both the ES and the Solterra offer available massaging front seats. The ES 350e Luxury also offers optional massaging rear seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging rear seats aren’t available in the Solterra.

The Lexus ES has a standard Homelink wireless remote control system for garage door operation and device management, conveniently located on the rear view mirror. Homelink® eliminates the need for separate garage door openers and associated risks of losing, breaking, or having dead batteries. Subaru charges extra for Homelink® on the Solterra.

The ES is available in both front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive configurations. The Solterra doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

The Lexus ES outsold the Subaru Solterra by almost four to one during 2025.