Rivian R1S vs Subaru Solterra: Specs Compared
Also searched as Subaru Solterra vs Rivian R1S specs — both orientations show this same side-by-side comparison.
The Subaru Solterra is the more efficient of the two: it reaches 120 mpg combined versus 85 mpg for the Rivian R1S, a 35 mpg advantage and costs about $250 less per year to fuel.
Across 4 measured categories, the Subaru Solterra leads in 4. Figures are EPA test data, not manufacturer claims.
2022–2027
Rivian R1S
Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD · 94 configurations
2023–2027
Subaru Solterra
Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD · 10 configurations
Head-to-head specifications
| Metric | Rivian R1S | Subaru Solterra |
|---|---|---|
| Best combined MPG | 85 mpg | 120 mpg ✓ |
| Best city MPG | 94 mpg | 131 mpg ✓ |
| Best highway MPG | 77 mpg | 109 mpg ✓ |
| Lowest annual fuel costEPA estimate at 15,000 miles per year | $900 | $650 ✓ |
| Lowest CO2 output | Not available | Not available |
| Engines offered | Not available | Not available |
| Transmissions | Automatic (A1) | Automatic (A1) |
| Drivetrains | 4-Wheel Drive, Part-time 4-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive | All-Wheel Drive |
| Fuel types | Electricity | Electricity |
| EPA class | Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD |
| Years covered | 2022–2027 | 2023–2027 |
| Configurations on record | 94 | 10 |
Source: EPA fuel economy records via fueleconomy.gov. Best-case values across all recorded configurations for each model.
Rivian R1S vs Subaru Solterra dimensions and size
The Rivian R1S is 16.1 inches longer than the Subaru Solterra on a wheelbase 9.1 inches longer, and 2,702.9 lbs heavier. At over 200 inches, the larger of the two is past the comfortable limit of a standard 192-inch single garage bay once you allow walking room.
| Dimension | Rivian R1S (2026) | Subaru Solterra (2026) | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Length | 200.8 in | 184.6 in | 16.1 in |
| Width (excl. mirrors) | 79.1 in | 73.2 in | 5.9 in |
| Height | 77.2 in | 65 in | 12.2 in |
| Wheelbase | 121.3 in | 112.2 in | 9.1 in |
| Curb weight | 7,068 lbs | 4,365 lbs | 2,703 lbs |
Width excludes mirrors; add 8–12 inches for mirrors out. Figures are for the newest model year on record for each vehicle. See both drawn to scale.
Rivian R1S vs Subaru Solterra: what the numbers mean
Running cost over five years: at the EPA's 15,000-mile-a-year assumption the Subaru Solterra burns about $650 of fuel annually against $900 for the Rivian R1S. That $250 yearly gap compounds to roughly $1,250 over five years and $2,000 over eight — often more than the price difference between two trims of the same vehicle, and the single largest running-cost line item separating these two.
City and highway economy: the Subaru Solterra leads in both cycles — 131 mpg city and 109 mpg highway against 94 and 77 mpg — so its fuel-efficiency advantage holds whether you commute in traffic or cover long highway miles.
Drivetrain and class: the Rivian R1S is offered with 4-Wheel Drive, Part-time 4-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive, the Subaru Solterra with All-Wheel Drive. All-wheel drive typically costs one to two mpg combined against the same vehicle in front- or rear-wheel drive, which is worth remembering when the gap between these two is small. The EPA classes them as Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD and Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD respectively — the class drives the interior volume, cargo space and passenger space each one is measured against.
R1S vs Solterra: common questions
Which is better on gas, the Rivian R1S or the Subaru Solterra?
The Subaru Solterra is the more efficient of the two: it reaches 120 mpg combined versus 85 mpg for the Rivian R1S, a 35 mpg advantage and costs about $250 less per year to fuel.
Which costs less to run per year?
By EPA estimates at 15,000 miles a year, the Subaru Solterra runs about $650 a year in fuel at its most efficient configuration, versus about $900 for the Rivian R1S — a difference of roughly $250 per year.
What engines do the R1S and Solterra offer?
Rivian R1S: no engine data on record. Subaru Solterra: no engine data on record.
Are they in the same vehicle class?
The EPA classifies the Rivian R1S as Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD and the Subaru Solterra as Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD, so they aren't a like-for-like match on size.
More R1S comparisons
More Solterra comparisons
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