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Subaru Solterra vs VW ID.Buzz
Selected trimLimitedChange trim289 mi · 71 kWh · £52,505
At a glance
In this comparison, Subaru Solterra leads on running costs and city driving, while the VW ID.Buzz leads on value for money, family practicality and charging speed.
Which should you choose?
Choose the Subaru Solterra if...
- you want the lowest running costs - from just 2.1p per mile on off-peak electricity
- you need the best car for city driving and tight parking
Choose the VW ID.Buzz if...
- you want the most for your money - best overall spec per pound
- you need the most family-friendly option with good safety and space
- you need the fastest charging of these options
How we reached the recommendation
Verdict
Our take
The VW ID.Buzz leads in the most categories, but each car here has its strengths.
ValueVW
Subaru
4.3
VW
6.1
Motorway Range
Subaru
6.1
VW
5.9
Too close to call
FamilyVW
Subaru
6.7
VW
9.1
ChargingVW
Subaru
5.3
VW
7.9
Cost Per MileSubaru
Subaru
5.3
VW
2.5
City DrivingSubaru
Subaru
3.9
VW
2.8
What each car does better
See the specification differences behind the verdict, with supporting figures for each advantage.
Key specifications
Compare the key specifications for your selected trims.
| Measure | Subaru SolterraLimited | VW ID.BuzzLife 5-seat SWB |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £52,505 (better) | £60,005 |
| Official range | 289 miles (better) | 282 miles |
| Boot space | 452 L | Not available |
| 10-80% rapid charge | 20 min | Not available |
| 0-62 mph | 6.9 sec (better) | 7.6 sec |
Size Comparison
View:
Align by:
Subaru Solterra
VW ID.Buzz
Length
Subaru Solterra4,690mm-22mm
VW ID.Buzz4,712mm
Width
Subaru Solterra1,860mm-125mm
VW ID.Buzz1,985mm
Height
Subaru Solterra1,650mm-275mm
VW ID.Buzz1,925mm
Space, size & parking
Parking & manoeuvring
Compare exterior dimensions to assess how each car fits UK parking spaces.
| Measure | Subaru SolterraLimited | VW ID.BuzzLife 5-seat SWB |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 4,690 mm | 4,712 mm |
| Width (mirrors folded) | 1,860 mm (better) | 1,985 mm |
| Height | 1,650 mm | 1,925 mm |
| Turning circle | 11.2 m | 11.1 m (better) |
| Clearance in a standard bayA standard UK parking bay is 2,400 mm wide. | 540 mm spare (better) | 415 mm spare |
People & luggage
Compare seating, child-seat mounting points, boot space and towing capacity.
| Measure | Subaru SolterraLimited | VW ID.BuzzLife 5-seat SWB |
|---|---|---|
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| ISOFIX child-seat points | 3 | Not available |
| Boot space (seats up) | 452 L | Not available |
| Frunk | Not available | 0 L |
| Towing capacity (braked) | Not available | 0 kg |
How each stacks up
Percentile ranks against UK EVs of the same body style.
Subaru Solterra
Not enough peers to make confident percentile claims.
VW ID.Buzz
- 282 mile WLTP range, longer than 85% of MPVs we track.
- Peak DC charging of 185 kW, faster than 80% of MPVs in our catalogue.
Full specifications
| Specification |  Subaru Solterra Limited |  VW ID.Buzz Life 5-seat SWB |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4.69m | 4.71m+22mm |
| Width | 1.86m | 1.99m+125mm |
| Height | 1.65m | 1.93m+275mm |
| Wheelbase | 2.85m | 2.99m+139mm |
| Ground Clearance | 211mm | Not available |
| Capacity | ||
| Boot (seats up) | 452L | Not available |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Practicality | ||
| Turning Circle | 11.2m | 11.1m (better) |
| Kerb Weight | 2,015kg | Not available |
| Electric | ||
| Battery | 71kWh | 79kWh (better) |
| Range (WLTP) | 289 mi (better) | 282 mi |
| Max DC Charge | 150kW | 185kW (better) |
| Pricing | ||
| UK MSRP | £52,505 (better) | £60,005 |
| Details | ||
| Body Style | SUV | MPV |
| Available | 2023+ | 2025+ |
Range & charging
Range, charging & battery
Check official and estimated driving range alongside charging speeds, efficiency and battery technology.
| Measure | Subaru SolterraLimited | VW ID.BuzzLife 5-seat SWB |
|---|---|---|
| Official range (WLTP) | 289 miles (better) | 282 miles |
| Estimated motorway rangeEVcarsguide estimate at sustained motorway speed. | 241 miles (better) | 235 miles |
| 10-80% rapid charge time | 20 min | Not available |
| Max rapid charge rate | 150 kW | 185 kW (better) |
| Home AC charging | 7 kW | 11 kW (better) |
| Usable battery capacity | 71 kWh | 79 kWh (better) |
| Battery chemistry | NMC | NMC |
| Battery architecture | 400V | Not available |
Driving & everyday use
Performance & drivetrain
Compare acceleration, power and drivetrain specifications for the selected trims.
| Measure | Subaru SolterraLimited | VW ID.BuzzLife 5-seat SWB |
|---|---|---|
| 0-62 mph | 6.9 sec (better) | 7.6 sec |
| Power | 160 kW | 210 kW (better) |
| Torque | 336 Nm | 560 Nm (better) |
| Drivetrain | AWD | RWD |
What the critics say
See how UK motoring publications rate each car in their road tests.
Subaru Solterra
Limited
VW ID.Buzz
Life 5-seat SWB
8.5/10
average across 4 reviews
- Autocar4.5/5
- Auto Express4.5/5
- Electrifying.com8/10
Watch the reviews
Watch selected video reviews here, or visit each model page for the full collection.
Subaru Solterra
All 3 videos
Reviews and videos discuss each model overall; the specifications above apply to your selected trims.
Prices & deals
Calculate your real costs
For a useful running-cost comparison, factor in your mileage, charging access and current petrol or diesel car alongside the EV estimate.
Compare with petrol or diesel
Compare purchase price, energy, road tax and maintenance with a petrol or diesel alternative.
Calculate company-car tax
Work out monthly Benefit-in-Kind using current and future HMRC rates.
Cost per mile
Compare EV charging costs per mile with petrol and diesel using your charging options.
Check a lease quote
Assess the effective monthly cost alongside the list price and expected depreciation.
Safety & ownership confidence
Euro NCAP - Subaru Solterra Limited
Tested 2025
Adult Occupant88%
Child Occupant85%
Vulnerable Road Users80%
Safety Assist79%
Full result on euroncap.com (opens in new tab)
Euro NCAP - VW ID.Buzz Life 5-seat SWB
Tested 2022
Adult Occupant84%
Child Occupant85%
Vulnerable Road Users70%
Safety Assist73%
Full result on euroncap.com (opens in new tab)
Warranty
Check the published battery warranty cover for each selected trim.
| Measure | Subaru SolterraLimited | VW ID.BuzzLife 5-seat SWB |
|---|---|---|
| Battery warranty | Not available | 8 years |
| Battery warranty distance | Not available | 160,934 km |
Buying options
Get a quote
Subaru Solterra
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
VW ID.Buzz
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Live used listings
Active inventory from independent UK dealers.
Subaru Solterra
No active listings.
VW ID.Buzz
- £50,4992025Car360View
Frequently asked questions
Is the VW ID.Buzz worth the extra £7,500 over the Subaru Solterra?
The VW ID.Buzz costs £7,500 more than the Subaru Solterra. For that premium it adds 35 kW faster peak rapid charging and 50 kW more power. On EVcarsguide's combined category scores, the VW ID.Buzz comes out ahead overall.
Which is cheaper to own over 5 years, the Subaru Solterra or the VW ID.Buzz?
The Subaru Solterra is £7,500 cheaper to buy. Running costs are almost identical - about £168 a year either way, at 8,000 miles on an off-peak home tariff. Add 5 years of charging and the Subaru Solterra comes out roughly £7,620 cheaper overall. These figures cover list price and home charging only - insurance, servicing, tyres and depreciation will move the real total.
What are the Subaru Solterra and VW ID.Buzz like on a long motorway trip?
EVcarsguide estimates a real-world motorway range of about 241 miles for the Subaru Solterra and 235 miles for the VW ID.Buzz - effectively matched, and both well below their WLTP figures because sustained high speed is the hardest case for an EV.
Which is easier to park and drive in town, the Subaru Solterra or the VW ID.Buzz?
The Subaru Solterra is the easier car for tight UK car parks: it is 125 mm narrower than the VW ID.Buzz. In a standard 2,400 mm bay that leaves about 540 mm of total clearance for the Subaru Solterra and about 415 mm of total clearance for the VW ID.Buzz.
Which battery will hold up better as a used buy, the Subaru Solterra or the VW ID.Buzz?
Over a 8-year ownership window EVcarsguide's degradation model projects roughly 84% battery health for the Subaru Solterra and 84% for the VW ID.Buzz. That is close enough that capacity loss should not decide between them. Both use NMC-type cells, so for daily use keep the charge limit near 80% to slow degradation.
Go deeper on each car
Visit the full model pages for owner feedback, expert reviews, used prices and battery-health information.
Compare against other rivals
Compare similarly sized and priced electric cars before finalising your shortlist.
More Subaru Solterra comparisons
More VW ID.Buzz comparisons
See both cars in our rankings
EVcarsguide scores every verified EV on price, range, family use and running costs. Here is where this pair appears.
Where the Subaru Solterra and VW ID.Buzz rank among the best family EVsWhere the Subaru Solterra and VW ID.Buzz rank among the best motorway EVsWhere the Subaru Solterra and VW ID.Buzz rank among the best city EVsWhere the Subaru Solterra and VW ID.Buzz rank among the cheapest EVs to runWhere the Subaru Solterra and VW ID.Buzz rank among EVs with the biggest bootsWhere the Subaru Solterra and VW ID.Buzz rank among Best Used Electric Cars Under £10,000 (UK)
If neither is quite right
Explore other verified electric cars that may better suit the priorities this pair does not meet.
Further reading
Explore buying and ownership guides to help you choose between these electric cars.
Data accuracy
Specs are sourced from manufacturer websites and manually reviewed. These figures were last verified .