2025 Volvo vs. Subaru Brand Comparison

Now more than ever before, shoppers looking for their next vehicle have more brands and more vehicles to choose from. If you're searching for a vehicle that combines safety, versatility, value, and cutting-edge technology - the first two manufacturers that come to mind are often Volvo and Subaru. While they might appear as equals at first glance, a closer look reveals some key differences between them. To help illustrate why Volvo is the better choice compared to Subaru, our team at Motorcars Volvo Cars has assembled this informative brand comparison guide.

Electric Powertrain Innovation

It's hard to ignore the benefits of making the switch to an all-electric vehicle. From smooth, seamless power delivery to benefits that impact both your wallet and the environment - it's only natural that driving an EV has sparked your interest. Volvo continues to set the benchmark for the industry when it comes to pioneering electrified powertrains. If you look at the Subaru lineup, you'll be disappointed to find just a single EV model.

For comparison, Volvo currently fields a comprehensive lineup with every model in the lineup coming with at least a mild hybrid system. Add to this an extensive list of plug-in hybrids and all-electric models, and the Volvo lineup offers some kind of electrification for everyone. Regardless of your lifestyle or driving habits, Volvo is the clear choice when it comes to electrified efficiency.

Current Volvo Hybrids & EVs:

Safety

No brand has become more synonymous with pioneering life-saving safety technologies than Volvo. From day one, Volvo has remained committed to protecting the lives of its drivers and that very same dedication continues to this very day. When tested by experts at the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the results clearly speak for themselves.

For 2025, Volvo earned a 5-star safety rating for a total of 10 models. The 5-Star Safety Ratings program evaluates how vehicles perform in crash tests. NHTSA performs frontal, side, and rollover tests because these types account for the majority of crashes on America's roadways.

The following Volvo models received 5-Star ratings:

Volvo XC90 VS Subaru Ascent

2025.5 Volvo XC90 B5 Core	VS	2025 Subaru Ascent Touring
$59,745	MSRP	$51,165
23 / 30 / 26 ✓	Fuel Economy (city / highway / combined)	19 / 25 / 21
8-speed automatic ✓	Transmission	CVT
Double wishbone ✓	Front Suspension	Strut
85.7 cubic feet ✓	Max Cargo Capacity	72.8 cubic feet
12.3-inch digital ✓	Gauges	Analog
Standard ✓	Hands-Free Tailgate	Not Available
Standard ✓	Park Assist	Not Available
Standard ✓	Wireless Charging	Not Available
36 months / 30,000 miles ✓	Included Maintenance	None

Three-row SUVs have become incredibly popular in recent years, so we're comparing each brand's three-row model to demonstrate some important differences between the Volvo and Subaru approaches to vehicle building. Both the XC90 and the Ascent come with four-cylinder engines, producing nearly identical power. They also both come with standard all-wheel drive and even have the same 5,000-pound towing capacity. Since the Ascent has a bit of a price advantage, it might seem like it's the better deal. A closer look shows that the XC90 has some serious advantages that not even a fully-loaded Ascent can match. The first and most obvious of these is fuel economy, where the difference between these two is substantial. In some cases, you would have to choose between great fuel economy and driving fun, but not with the XC90. This proven SUV delivers a more engaging experience with its 8-speed automatic transmission compared to the numb CVT in the Ascent. On top of that, the Ascent comes with strut front suspension, which is good for saving space and manufacturing cost, but handling suffers when compared to a double wishbone setup like you get in the XC90.

The exterior size of both vehicles is very similar, but clever design has allowed Volvo to get quite a bit more cargo space out of the XC90. Tech is another area where the XC90 has a clear advantage. Digital gauge clusters have become quite popular in recent years, thanks to the clear advantage of a customizable layout. For new vehicles in this price range, they're fairly common, and the 12.3-inch display in the XC90 is a particularly good example. The Subaru comes with an old-fashioned analog setup, but that's not the only outdated part of the Ascent. While the Ascent does have a power liftgate, it doesn't come with hands-free access the way the XC90 does. Park Assist and a wireless phone charger are also standard on the XC90, but unavailable on any trim of the Ascent. Lastly, Volvo includes 36 months or 30,000 miles of routine maintenance with the purchase price of the XC90. This is more than usual, but it's significantly more than the none that you get with the Ascent.

Volvo EX30 VS Subaru Solterra

2025 Volvo EX30 Plus	VS	2025 Subaru Solterra Touring
$44,900	MSRP	$44,995
253 miles ✓	Range	222 miles
422 HP / 400 LB-FT TQ ✓	Horsepower / Torque	215 HP / 249 LB-FT TQ
26 minutes ✓	DC Fast Charging Time (10 - 80%)	35 minutes
8 hours	220v Home Charging Time	11 hours
Active ✓	Blind Spot Monitoring	Passive
Front / Rear ✓	Cross Traffic Alert	Rear only
Standard ✓	Real-Time Traffic / Weather	Not Available
4 years ✓	Connected Features Included	1 year
48 months / 40,000 miles ✓	Included Maintenance	None

Electric vehicles are a fast-growing segment, and although there is only one electric Subaru model, the Solterra is priced very similarly to the Volvo EX30. The EX30 has a range advantage over the Solterra, enough that you'll notice. But the really remarkable difference is power output, where the EX30 has such a massive advantage that it's impossible to ignore. This is the first hint of just how much more advanced Volvo EV technology is compared to the rest of the industry. Charging time is another area where you can see this, with the EX30 boasting much quicker charging on both public fast chargers and the kind of home charger that can be installed in your garage.

The advanced technological features of the EX30 don't end with the drivetrain either. This being Volvo, there is a robust suit of safety features that Subaru can't quite match. While the Solterra will worn you when there is another vehicle in your blind spot, the EX30 will actually correct the steering to actively avoid an accident. Both vehicles will warn you of cross traffic while you're backing out of a parking space, but only the Volvo will also warn you of front cross traffic when you reach a blind corner. Both vehicles come with navigation, but only the EX30 also comes with real-time traffic and weather updates. As for the other connected features, both come with things like cabin preconditioning and remote locking doors via a connected app. But while Volvo includes 4 years of this service with the price of the EX30, Subaru only offers one year before you have to start paying for the service. Volvo also includes data service for things like music streaming in those 4 years, but that's a separate subscription for the Solterra, and the included period is a scant 30 days. Similarly, the included maintenance is once again a big advantage for Volvo.

The Volvo XC90 is one of the best cars of the decade because it's a spectacular luxury SUV that kicked off a long line of fresh new vehicles forever changing the course of the Volvo brand, said Brian Moody, executive editor for Autotrader. The XC90 effectively elevates the entire brand to a true luxury position, it's the full embodiment of all that Volvo can do right. The XC90 is a perfect example of how design restraint actually adds to the allure of a given vehicle. Both inside and out, the Volvo XC90 is tasteful and luxurious.