Compare the2027 BMW iX3 VS 2026 Subaru Solterra

The iX3’s pre-crash front seatbelts will tighten automatically in the event the vehicle detects an impending crash, improving protection against injury significantly. The Solterra doesn’t offer pre-crash pretensioners.

The BMW iX3’s optional Surround View is equipped with washers for its front and rear cameras, ensuring crystal-clear visibility in any weather condition. Conversely, the Subaru Solterra only offers a rear camera washer, which may not provide the same level of all-weather performance.

Both the iX3 and the Solterra 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, four-wheel antilock brakes, all-wheel drive, 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 BMW iX3 weighs 644 to 759 pounds more than the Subaru Solterra. The NHTSA advises that heavier vehicles are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

The iX3 comes with a full 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire truck and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The Solterra’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year or 14,000 miles sooner.

The iX3’s corrosion warranty is 7 years longer than the Solterra’s (12 vs. 5 years).

BMW pays for scheduled maintenance on the iX3 for 3 years and 36,000 miles. BMW will pay for tire rotations, cabin filter replacement, brake fluid replacement, inspections, and any other required maintenance. Subaru doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the Solterra.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that BMW vehicles are more reliable than Subaru vehicles. J.D. Power ranks BMW above average in long-term dependability. With 23 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Subaru is rated below average.

The iX3 50 xDrive’s standard electric motors produces 230 more horsepower (463 vs. 233) than the Solterra’s standard electric motors. The iX3 50 xDrive’s electric motors produces 125 more horsepower (463 vs. 338) than the Solterra XT’s standard electric motors.

On the EPA test cycle the iX3 gets better mileage than the Solterra:

			MPGe
iX3
	AWD	20" Summer Tires Electric Motors	125 city/110 hwy
Solterra
	AWD	Limited Electric Motors	128 city/105 hwy
		XT Electric Motors	128 city/105 hwy

The iX3 can travel longer on a full charge than the Solterra on a full charge:

			Miles
iX3
	AWD	20" Summer Tires Electric Motors	434 miles
		21" All Season Tires Electric Motors	399 miles
		21" Summer Tires Electric Motors	398 miles
		22" Summer Tires Electric Motors	392 miles
		20" All Season Tires Electric Motors	383 miles
Solterra
	AWD	Premium Electric Motors	288 miles
		Limited Electric Motors	278 miles
		XT Electric Motors	278 miles

The iX3’s launch control uses engine electronics to hold engine RPM’s precisely in order to provide the most stable and rapid acceleration possible, using all of the available traction. The Solterra doesn’t offer launch control.

For better stopping power the iX3’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Solterra:

	iX3	iX3	Solterra
Front Rotors	13 inches	13.7 inches	12.9 inches
Rear Rotors	13.6 inches	13.6 inches	12.5 inches

For better traction, the iX3 has larger standard tires than the Solterra (255/45R20 vs. 235/60R18). The iX3’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Solterra (F:255/40R21 & R:275/40R21 vs. 235/60R18).

The iX3’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 45 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Solterra Premium’s standard 60 series tires. The iX3’s optional tires have a lower 35 series profile than the Solterra Limited/Touring’s 50 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the iX3 has standard 20-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the Solterra Premium. The iX3’s optional 22-inch wheels are larger than the 20-inch wheels on the Solterra Limited/Touring.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the iX3’s wheelbase is 1.9 inches longer than on the Solterra (114.1 inches vs. 112.2 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the iX3 is 1.1 inches wider in the front and .9 inches wider in the rear than on the Solterra.

The iX3 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 iX3 has 1.8 inches more front headroom, .8 inches more front shoulder room, .5 inches more rear headroom and 2.2 inches more rear shoulder room than the Solterra.

The iX3 has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the Solterra with its rear seat up (31.4 vs. 23.8 cubic feet). The iX3 has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Solterra with its rear seat folded (65 vs. 63.5 cubic feet).

A standard locking glovebox keeps your small valuables safer in the iX3. The Solterra doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

The iX3 has a 4400 lbs. towing capacity. The Solterra has no towing capacity.

Standard Trailer Stabilization Control on the iX3 uses the Dynamic Stability Control sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. The Solterra doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

Unlike the driver-only memory seat and mirrors in the Solterra, the iX3 has standard driver and passenger memory, so that when drivers switch, the memory setting adjusts the driver’s seat, power steering assist, outside mirror angle, climate settings and radio stations and the front passenger seat also adjusts to the new passenger’s preset preferences.

The iX3 offers an optional heads-up display that projects speed, navigation instruction and driver assistance information readouts 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 iX3’s standard Comfort Access allows you to unlock the doors from any outside door handle, open the cargo door, and start the vehicle, all without removing the key from 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 doors.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are standard on the iX3 to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The Solterra doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the iX3 has a standard rear wiper. The Solterra doesn’t offer a rear wiper.

The iX3’s standard rear and side view mirrors have an automatic dimming feature. These mirrors can be set to automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on them, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The Solterra has an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

The BMW iX3 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 iX3 offers optional massaging front seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging seats aren’t available in the Solterra.

The BMW iX3 has a standard Homelink wireless remote control system for garage door operation and device management, conveniently located on the infotainment. 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 iX3’s optional Parking Assistant Plus can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. Optional Remote Control Parking will park and retrieve your car remotely: press a button and watch it park itself. This is ideal for tight locations. The Solterra Limited/Touring’s automatic parking system does not offer parking by remote control.