Compare the2026 Subaru Solterra VS 2027 Chevrolet Bolt

The Subaru Solterra has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags help prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The Bolt doesn’t offer knee airbags.

In a Vehicle-to-Vehicle Frontal Crash Prevention 2.0 test conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the Subaru Solterra achieved a “Good” rating - the highest possible - for its performance in forward collision warning and automatic braking systems, demonstrating its excellent capabilities in preventing collisions. The Chevrolet Bolt has not been tested.

The Solterra offers all-wheel drive to maximize traction under poor conditions, especially in ice and snow. The Bolt doesn’t offer all-wheel drive.

The Subaru Solterra’s rear backup camera has a standard washer for maintaining a clear view under various conditions. In contrast, the Chevrolet Bolt does not offer a rear camera washer, meaning its effectiveness relies on manual cleaning by the user when necessary.

Both the Solterra and the Bolt have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact 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, post-collision automatic braking systems, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning and available around view monitors.

The Subaru Solterra weighs 588 to 734 pounds more than the Chevrolet Bolt. The NHTSA advises that heavier vehicles are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

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

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ March 2026 Auto Issue reports that Subaru vehicles are more reliable than Chevrolet vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Subaru second in overall reliability. Chevrolet is ranked 17th.

The Solterra’s standard electric motors produces 23 more horsepower (233 vs. 210) than the Bolt’s electric motor. The Solterra XT’s standard electric motors produces 128 more horsepower (338 vs. 210) than the Bolt’s electric motor.

As tested in Motor Trend the Solterra XT is faster than the Chevrolet Bolt:

	Solterra	Bolt
Zero to 60 MPH	4.4 sec	6.7 sec
Quarter Mile	13 sec	15.1 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	101.9 MPH	95 MPH

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

			Miles
Solterra
	AWD	Premium Electric Motors	288 miles
		Limited Electric Motors	278 miles
		XT Electric Motors	278 miles
Bolt
	FWD	Electric Motor	262 miles

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

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

	Solterra	Bolt
Front Rotors	12.9 inches	11 inches
Rear Rotors	12.5 inches	10 inches

The Solterra’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the Bolt are solid, not vented.

For better traction, the Solterra has larger tires than the Bolt (235/60R18 vs. 215/50R17).

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Solterra Premium has standard 18-inch wheels. Only 17-inch wheels are available on the Bolt. The Solterra Limited/Touring has standard 20-inch wheels.

For superior ride and handling, the Subaru Solterra has fully independent front and rear suspensions. An independent suspension allows the wheels to follow the road at the best angle for gripping the pavement, without compromising ride comfort. The Chevrolet Bolt has a rear torsion beam axle, with a semi-independent rear suspension.

The Solterra has standard front and rear stabilizer bars, which help keep the Solterra flat and controlled during cornering. The Bolt’s suspension doesn’t offer a rear stabilizer bar.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Solterra’s wheelbase is 6.9 inches longer than on the Bolt (112.2 inches vs. 105.3 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Solterra is 3.5 inches wider in the front and 3.9 inches wider in the rear than on the Bolt.

The Solterra Touring executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the Bolt RS (26.7 seconds @ .69 average G’s vs. 27.2 seconds @ .67 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the Solterra’s turning circle is 1 foot tighter than the Bolt’s (36.7 feet vs. 37.7 feet).

For greater off-road capability the Solterra has a 2.7 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the Bolt (8.3 vs. 5.6 inches), allowing the Solterra to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The Solterra has 3.1 inches more front hip room, 3.4 inches more front shoulder room, .2 inches more rear headroom and 3 inches more rear shoulder room than the Bolt.

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

The Solterra has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the Bolt with its rear seat up (23.8 vs. 16.2 cubic feet). The Solterra has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Bolt with its rear seat folded (63.5 vs. 56.3 cubic feet).

To make loading and unloading groceries and cargo easier, especially for short adults, the Solterra has a standard power liftgate, which opens and closes automatically by pressing a button, or on the Solterra Limited/Touring, by just kicking your foot under the back bumper, completely leaving your hands free. The Bolt doesn’t offer a power cargo door.

The Solterra has a higher standard payload capacity than the Bolt (1045 vs. 873 lbs.).

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.

When two different drivers share the Solterra, the memory seats and mirrors make it convenient for both. Each setting activates different, customized memories for the driver’s seat position and outside mirror angle. The Bolt doesn’t offer a memory system.

The Solterra’s standard easy entry system glides the driver’s seat back, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The Bolt doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

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 Bolt’s passenger windows don’t close automatically.

The Solterra’s rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The Bolt’s standard manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

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 Bolt doesn’t offer headlight washers.

When the Solterra Limited/Touring is put in reverse, both rearview mirrors tilt from their original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirrors into their original positions. The Bolt’s mirrors don’t automatically adjust for backing.

Both the Subaru Solterra and Chevrolet Bolt 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 Bolt’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 standard heated front seats. Heated front seats cost extra on the Bolt. The Solterra Limited/Touring also has standard heated rear seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren’t available in the Bolt.

The Solterra’s 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. The Bolt doesn’t offer dual zone air conditioning.

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 Bolt, and only charges one device.

The Solterra Limited/Touring’s Advanced Park can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. The Bolt doesn’t offer an automated parking system.