Compare the2026 Subaru SolterraVS 2025 Audi A6 e-tron

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 A6 e-tron doesn’t offer automatic braking for stationary objects directly to the rear.

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 A6 e-tron.

When descending a steep, off-road slope, the Solterra’s standard Downhill Assist Control allows you to creep down safely. The A6 e-tron doesn’t offer Downhill Assist Control.

To deliver safety and visibility under dusty conditions the Subaru Solterra’s backup monitor has a standard rear washer to keep the view clear. A camera washer system costs extra on the Audi A6 e-tron.

Both the Solterra and the A6 e-tron have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee 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, driver alert monitors and available around view monitors.

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 A6 e-tron has not yet been evaluated by the IIHS for 2025.

Subaru’s powertrain warranty covers the Solterra 1 year and 10,000 miles longer than Audi covers the A6 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 A6 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.

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.

For better traction, the Solterra has larger tires than the A6 e-tron (235/60R18 vs. 225/55R19).

For better maneuverability, the Solterra’s turning circle is 3.7 feet tighter than the A6 e-tron’s (36.7 feet vs. 40.4 feet).

The Subaru Solterra may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 550 to 700 pounds less than the Audi A6 e-tron.

The Solterra is 9.4 inches shorter than the A6 e-tron, making the Solterra easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The Solterra has .3 inches more front headroom, .7 inches more front legroom, .4 inches more rear headroom and .1 inches more rear legroom than the A6 e-tron.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the Solterra’s rear seats recline. The A6 e-tron’s rear seats don’t recline.

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.

The Solterra is equipped with both FM and AM stereo radios, offering access to more content and better coverage than the A6 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 A6 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 A6 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.

The Subaru Solterra stands out above the Audi A6 e-tron by offering not one, but two Qi-compatible phone chargers. This convenience helps travelers with multiple devices to keep powered up on-the-go. Wireless charging eliminates lost or cluttered charging cables and two of them provide more flexibility. Both vehicles also offer Qi charging for the rear passengers.

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 A6 e-tron doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.