Compare the2026 Subaru Solterra VS 2027 Rivian R2

In the past twenty years hundreds of infants and young children have died after being left in vehicles, usually by accident. When turning the vehicle off, drivers of the Solterra are reminded to check the back seat if they opened the rear door before starting out. The R2 doesn’t offer a back seat reminder.

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 R2 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 Rivian R2 has not been tested.

The Solterra has a standard Secondary Collision Brake, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The R2 doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The Solterra has a standard Parking Support Brake that uses rear sensors to monitor for objects to the rear and automatically applies the brakes to prevent a collision. The R2 doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, Full-Time Four-Wheel Drive is standard on the Solterra. But it costs extra on the R2.

The Subaru Solterra’s rear backup camera has a standard washer for maintaining a clear view under various conditions. In contrast, the Rivian R2 does not offer a rear camera washer, meaning its effectiveness relies on manual cleaning by the user when necessary.

Both the Solterra and R2 have rear cross-traffic warning, but the Solterra has Parking Support Brake (automatically applies the brakes) to better prevent a collision when backing near traffic. The R2’s Rear Cross-Traffic Warning doesn’t automatically brake.

Both the Solterra and the R2 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, 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.

There are over 6 times as many Subaru dealers as there are Rivian dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Solterra’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Subaru vehicles are better in initial quality than Rivian vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Subaru above average in initial quality. With 87 more problems per 100 vehicles, Rivian is rated below average.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ March 2026 Auto Issue reports that Subaru vehicles are more reliable than Rivian vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Subaru second in overall reliability. Rivian is ranked 26th.

On the EPA test cycle the Solterra gets better mileage than the R2:

			MPGe
Solterra
	AWD	Premium Electric Motors	131 city/109 hwy
		Limited Electric Motors	128 city/105 hwy
		XT Electric Motors	128 city/105 hwy
R2
	AWD	Premium Electric Motors	114 city/96 hwy
		21-inch Tires Performance Electric Motors	114 city/96 hwy
		All-Terrain Electric Motors	109 city/89 hwy

The Solterra has a standard locking charge port, which locks and unlocks with the power locks. The R2 doesn’t have a locking charge port. A locking charge port prevents tampering and damage.

The Solterra Premium’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 60 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the R2 Standard’s standard 65 series tires. The Solterra Limited/Touring’s tires have a lower 50 series profile than the R2 Premium’s 55 series tires.

The Solterra Touring handles at .79 G’s, while the R2 Performance pulls only .78 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

For better maneuverability, the Solterra’s turning circle is 3 feet tighter than the R2’s (36.7 feet vs. 39.7 feet).

The Subaru Solterra may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 450 pounds less than the Rivian R2.

For excellent aerodynamics, the Solterra has standard flush composite headlights. The R2 has recessed headlights that spoil its aerodynamic shape and create extra drag.

The Solterra has .7 inches more front legroom and .2 inches more front shoulder room than the R2.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the Solterra’s rear seats recline. The R2’s rear seats don’t recline.

To make loading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the Solterra Limited/Touring’s liftgate can be opened and closed just by kicking your foot under the back bumper, leaving your hands completely free. The R2 doesn’t offer a hands-free gesture to open its liftgate, forcing you to put cargo down if your hands are full.

If the windows are left open on the Solterra the driver can close all of them at the outside door handle. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows at the outside door handle or from a distance using the keyless remote. (This window function must be activated by your Subaru service department.) The driver of the R2 can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The Solterra’s standard Keyless Access and Start allow you to unlock the doors from either front door handle, open the cargo door, and start the vehicle, all without removing the key from pocket or purse. An advanced key system standard on the R2 doesn’t offer a sensor on any door except the driver’s, so you’ll have to walk to the driver's door to touch the handle.

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 R2 doesn’t offer headlight washers.

The Solterra is equipped with both FM and AM stereo radios, offering access too more content and better coverage than the R2, which solely provides FM radio. With AM radio, you can enjoy a wider variety of stations featuring news, talk shows, sports commentary, native language programing, automated traffic guidance, and emergency broadcasts. AM waves travel further and penetrate buildings and obstacles more effectively than FM signals, especially at night. Having both FM and AM stereo radios the Solterra offers a more comprehensive listening experience compared to only FM in the R2.

HD Radio boasts several benefits over conventional radio: superior sound quality with clearer and consistent FM broadcasts, CD-quality audio, and Multicast Channels offering up to four streams from a single station, adding programming choices. Cars like the Solterra equipped with HD Radio provide an improved in-car entertainment experience. The R2, devoid of this technology, foregoes these benefits. Selecting the Subaru Solterra empowers drivers to enjoy a more immersive and enjoyable listening experience while on the go.

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 R2 doesn’t offer an automated parking system.