Compare the2026 Subaru SolterraVS 2026 Audi Q4 e-tron

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Brakes and Stopping
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics
Recommendations

Safety

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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 Q4 e-tron 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 Q4 e-tron doesn’t offer knee airbags.

With its standard Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection, the Subaru Solterra is better at preventing collisions with pedestrians than the Audi Q4 e-tron, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety:

	Solterra	Q4 e-tron
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
	Crossing Child - DAY
12 MPH	AVOIDED	AVOIDED
25 MPH	AVOIDED	-15 MPH
	Crossing Adult - NIGHT
12 MPH Brights	AVOIDED	AVOIDED
12 MPH Low beams	AVOIDED	AVOIDED
25 MPH Brights	-23 MPH	-21 MPH
	Parallel Adult - NIGHT
25 MPH Brights	AVOIDED	AVOIDED
25 MPH Low beams	AVOIDED	AVOIDED
37 MPH Brights	AVOIDED	-21 MPH
Warning Issued-Brights	2.3 sec	2 sec
37 MPH Low beams	AVOIDED	-22 MPH
Warning Issued-Low beams	2.1 sec	1.8 sec

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 Q4 e-tron.

When descending a steep, off-road slope, the Solterra’s standard Downhill Assist Control allows you to creep down safely. The Q4 e-tron doesn’t offer Downhill Assist Control.

The Subaru Solterra’s rear backup camera has a standard washer for maintaining a clear view under various conditions. In contrast, the Audi Q4 e-tron does not offer a rear camera washer, meaning its effectiveness relies on manual cleaning by the user when necessary.

The Solterra’s driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The Q4 e-tron doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the Solterra and the Q4 e-tron have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front 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 National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Subaru Solterra is safer than the Audi Q4 e-tron:

	Solterra	Q4 e-tron
OVERALL STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
	Passenger
STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	227	264
Chest Compression	.5 inches	.8 inches
Neck Injury Risk	37%	37.1%
Neck Compression	25 lbs.	132 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Subaru Solterra is safer than the Audi Q4 e-tron:

	Solterra	Q4 e-tron
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	3 Stars

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The Subaru Solterra has achieved the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) highest rating of “Top Safety Pick Plus” for the 2025 model year. This distinction is based on its exceptional performance in IIHS’ rigorous battery of safety tests. Specifically, it earned a “Good” rating in the latest, more stringent moderate overlap front crash test, a “Good” result in the updated side impact test, and a “Good” score in the revised pedestrian crash prevention test. The Q4 e-tron has not yet been fully evaluated by the IIHS for 2025.

Warranty

Subaru’s powertrain warranty covers the Solterra 1 year and 10,000 miles longer than Audi covers the Q4 e-tron. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 5 years or 60,000 miles. Coverage on the Q4 e-tron ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

There are over 2 times as many Subaru dealers as there are Audi dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Solterra’s warranty.

Reliability

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 Audi vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Subaru above average in initial quality. With 82 more problems per 100 vehicles, Audi is rated below average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Subaru vehicles are more reliable than Audi With 61 fewer problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, J.D. Power ranks Subaru higher than Audi.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ March 2025 Auto Issue reports that Subaru vehicles are more reliable than Audi vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Subaru first in overall reliability. Audi is ranked 7th.

Engine

The Solterra XT’s standard electric motors produces 56 more horsepower (338 vs. 282) than the Q4 45 e-tron’s standard electric motor.

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the Solterra gets better mileage than the Q4 e-tron:

			MPGe
Solterra
	AWD	Premium Electric Motors	131 city/109 hwy
		Limited Electric Motors	128 city/105 hwy
		XT Electric Motors	128 city/105 hwy
Q4 e-tron
	RWD	Q4 45 e-tron Electric Motor	125 city/104 hwy
	AWD	Q4 55 e-tron Electric Motors	107 city/92 hwy

The Solterra can travel longer on a full charge than the Q4 e-tron on a full charge:

			Miles
Solterra
	AWD	Premium Electric Motors	288 miles
		Limited Electric Motors	278 miles
		XT Electric Motors	278 miles
Q4 e-tron
	AWD	Q4 55 e-tron Electric Motors	258 miles

Brakes and Stopping

The Subaru Solterra has standard four-wheel disc brakes for better stopping power and improved directional control in poor weather. Only rear drums come on the Q4 e-tron. Drums can heat up and make stops longer, especially with antilock brakes that work much harder than conventional brakes.

Suspension and Handling

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Solterra’s wheelbase is 3.5 inches longer than on the Q4 e-tron (112.2 inches vs. 108.7 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Solterra is .7 inches wider in the front and 1.9 inches wider in the rear than on the Q4 e-tron.

For greater off-road capability the Solterra has a 2.5 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the Q4 e-tron (8.3 vs. 5.8 inches), allowing the Solterra to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

Chassis

The Subaru Solterra may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 300 to 350 pounds less than the Audi Q4 e-tron.

The front grille of the Solterra uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The Q4 e-tron doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

Passenger Space

The Solterra has .3 inches more front headroom, .9 inches more front legroom and 1.3 inches more front shoulder room than the Q4 e-tron.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the Solterra’s rear seats recline. The Q4 e-tron’s rear seats don’t recline.

Cargo Capacity

The Solterra has a larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Q4 e-tron with its rear seat folded (63.5 vs. 53.1 cubic feet).

Servicing Ease

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Subaru service is better than Audi. J.D. Power ranks Subaru third in service department satisfaction. With a 26% lower rating, Audi is ranked 18th.

Ergonomics

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 Q4 e-tron doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

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 the pocket or purse. Keyless Start standard on the Q4 e-tron only offers hands-free access for the ignition, none to unlock the vehicle.

Both the Solterra and the Q4 e-tron have standard heated front seats. 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 Q4 e-tron.

Standard air-conditioned seats in the Solterra Touring XT keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The Q4 e-tron doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

The Solterra is equipped with both FM and AM stereo radios, offering access to more content and better coverage than the Q4 e-tron, 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 Q4 e-tron.

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 Q4 e-tron, 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.

Compared to traditional radio, the Subaru Solterra’s standard SiriusXM satellite radio provides an unmatched listening experience. Its extensive coverage guarantees consistent, crystal-clear reception across the continental U.S., and access to over 100 channels dedicated to a multitude of genres, including music, news, sports, talk shows, and comedy, many with only limited commercial breaks. Satellite radio costs extra on the Q4 e-tron.

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 Q4 e-tron, and only charges one device.

The Solterra Limited/Touring has a 115-volt a/c outlet in the cargo area, allowing you to recharge a laptop or run small household appliances without special adapters that can break or get misplaced. The Q4 e-tron doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

Recommendations

The Subaru Solterra outsold the Audi Q4 by 9% during 2024.

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