Subaru vs. Tesla
iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of cars from Subaru and Tesla contrasts the two brands across a broad spectrum of vehicle specifications to determine which one is better. In addition to comparing pricing and specs, iSeeCars uses all the ratings, rankings, and insights from its comprehensive analyses of vehicle models, including calculations of reliability, safety, depreciation, value retention, and projected lifetime recalls based on recall history. This in-depth evaluation is used to identify which brand represents a better overall choice for shoppers who are considering both Subaru and Tesla cars.
When comparing the Subaru brand to the Tesla brand, Subaru has the advantage in the areas of used car pricing, depreciation, safety, retained value, vehicle rankings and variety of models offered. Tesla has the advantage in the areas of horsepower, fuel efficiency and towing capacity.
Subaru versus Tesla: Pricing and Value: Subaru has a lower used vehicle starting price in 5 out of 5 comparisons. Subaru models depreciate at a lower (better) rate in 5 out of 5 comparisons. The lower overall prices for Subaru, plus their lower depreciation rate, gives Subaru the overall advantage over Tesla.
Subaru versus Tesla: Horsepower, Fuel Efficiency and Towing Capacity: Tesla vehicles offer higher maximum horsepower numbers in their base trim in 5 out of 5 model comparisons. Tesla offers a longer driving range in 1 out of 1 model comparisons. Tesla offers a greater towing capacity in 2 out of 3 comparisons. In 1 comparisons, Subaru and Tesla have the same towing capacity.
Subaru versus Tesla: Quality, Reliability, Safety, and Value Retention Ratings: Subaru has better safety ratings in 2 out of 5 comparisons while Tesla has better safety ratings in 1 out of 5 comparisons. Subaru and Tesla tie for safety in 2 comparisons. Subaru shows higher ratings for retained value in 5 out of 5 comparisons.
Safest Car Rankings: Subaru has the better car ranking in 1 category: Solterra in Safest Electric SUVs.
Available Body Styles: Subaru offers 7 SUVs, 1 wagon, 2 sedans, and 1 coupe. In comparison, Tesla offers 2 SUVs and 2 sedans.
Drivetrain Options: Subaru offers 8 gasoline vehicles, 2 hybrids, and 1 electric vehicle. Tesla offers 5 electric vehicles.
Subaru offers 8 all-wheel-drive models and 1 rear-wheel-drive model. Tesla offers 5 all-wheel-drive models and 3 rear-wheel-drive models.
New Car Pricing
EVs
Subaru Solterra
$36,889 - $47,885
Other Comparisons
Subaru Forester
$31,888 - $43,559
Subaru Forester (hybrid)
$37,165 - $46,234
Subaru Outback (suv)
$32,586 - $46,228
Subaru WRX
$37,369 - $50,192
New Car Pricing
EVs
Tesla Model Y
Not Yet Available
Other Comparisons
Tesla Model Y
Not Yet Available
Tesla Model Y
Not Yet Available
Tesla Model Y
Not Yet Available
Tesla Model 3
Not Yet Available
Used Car Pricing
EVs
Subaru Solterra
$27,864 - $46,950
Other Comparisons
Subaru Forester
$28,888 - $38,988
Subaru Forester (hybrid)
$35,568 - $45,694
Subaru Outback (suv)
$28,999 - $40,745
Subaru WRX
$34,130 - $47,543
Used Car Pricing
EVs
Tesla Model Y
$42,990 - $57,950
Other Comparisons
Tesla Model Y
$42,990 - $57,950
Tesla Model Y
$42,990 - $57,950
Tesla Model Y
$42,990 - $57,950
Tesla Model 3
$34,489 - $42,997
5-Year Depreciation (Lower is better)
EVs
Subaru Solterra
55.1%
Other Comparisons
Subaru Forester
37.2%
Subaru Forester (hybrid)
39.5%
Subaru Outback (suv)
43.3%
Subaru WRX
35.3%
5-Year Depreciation (Lower is better)
EVs
Tesla Model Y
60.8%
Other Comparisons
Tesla Model Y
60.8%
Tesla Model Y
60.8%
Tesla Model Y
60.8%
Tesla Model 3
57%
Horsepower / Torque
EVs
Subaru Solterra
215 hp / 249 foot-lbs
Other Comparisons
Subaru Forester
180 hp / 178 foot-lbs
Subaru Forester (hybrid)
194 hp
Subaru Outback (suv)
182 hp / 176 foot-lbs
Subaru WRX
271 hp / 258 foot-lbs
Horsepower / Torque
EVs
Tesla Model Y
295 hp / 309 foot-lbs
Other Comparisons
Tesla Model Y
295 hp / 309 foot-lbs
Tesla Model Y
295 hp / 309 foot-lbs
Tesla Model Y
295 hp / 309 foot-lbs
Tesla Model 3
425 hp / 475 foot-lbs
MPG (city/highway/combined)
Other Comparisons
Subaru Forester
26 / 33 / 29
Subaru Forester (hybrid)
35 / 34 / 35
Subaru Outback (suv)
26 / 32 / 28
Subaru WRX
19 / 26 / 22
MPG (city/highway/combined)
Other Comparisons
Tesla Model Y
Not Yet Available
Tesla Model Y
Not Yet Available
Tesla Model Y
Not Yet Available
Tesla Model 3
127 / 127 / 127
EV Range
Subaru Solterra
227 miles
EV Range
Tesla Model Y
357 miles
iSeeCars Overall Quality Ratings
EVs
Subaru Solterra
Not available
Other Comparisons
Subaru Forester
8.6 / 10
Subaru Forester (hybrid)
8.2 / 10
Subaru Outback (suv)
8.3 / 10
Subaru WRX
8.5 / 10
iSeeCars Overall Quality Ratings
EVs
Tesla Model Y
Not available
Other Comparisons
Tesla Model Y
Not available
Tesla Model Y
Not available
Tesla Model Y
Not available
Tesla Model 3
Not available
iSeeCars Reliability Ratings
EVs
Subaru Solterra
Not available
Other Comparisons
Subaru Forester
8.0 / 10
Subaru Forester (hybrid)
8.0 / 10
Subaru Outback (suv)
7.8 / 10
Subaru WRX
7.6 / 10
iSeeCars Reliability Ratings
EVs
Tesla Model Y
Not available
Other Comparisons
Tesla Model Y
Not available
Tesla Model Y
Not available
Tesla Model Y
Not available
Tesla Model 3
Not available
iSeeCars Safety Ratings
EVs
Subaru Solterra
10 / 10
Other Comparisons
Subaru Forester
9.0 / 10
Subaru Forester (hybrid)
8.0 / 10
Subaru Outback (suv)
9.0 / 10
Subaru WRX
9.0 / 10
iSeeCars Safety Ratings
EVs
Tesla Model Y
9.0 / 10
Other Comparisons
Tesla Model Y
9.0 / 10
Tesla Model Y
9.0 / 10
Tesla Model Y
9.0 / 10
Tesla Model 3
8.0 / 10
iSeeCars Resale Value Ratings
EVs
Subaru Solterra
7.5 / 10
Other Comparisons
Subaru Forester
8.7 / 10
Subaru Forester (hybrid)
8.5 / 10
Subaru Outback (suv)
8.2 / 10
Subaru WRX
8.8 / 10
iSeeCars Resale Value Ratings
EVs
Tesla Model Y
7.1 / 10
Other Comparisons
Tesla Model Y
7.1 / 10
Tesla Model Y
7.1 / 10
Tesla Model Y
7.1 / 10
Tesla Model 3
7.3 / 10
iSeeCars Safest Car Rankings
EVs
Subaru Solterra
#1 of 65 in
Safest Electric SUVs
Other Comparisons
Subaru Forester
#14 of 67 in
Safest Crossover SUVs
Subaru Forester
#5 of 36 in
Safest Hybrid SUVs
Subaru Outback
#18 of 67 in
Safest Crossover SUVs
Subaru WRX
#5 of 37 in
Safest Small Cars
iSeeCars Safest Car Rankings
EVs
Tesla Model Y
#6 of 65 in
Safest Electric SUVs
Other Comparisons
Tesla Model Y
#6 of 65 in
Safest Electric SUVs
Tesla Model Y
#6 of 65 in
Safest Electric SUVs
Tesla Model Y
#6 of 65 in
Safest Electric SUVs
Tesla Model 3
#3 of 30 in
Safest Electric Cars