Subaru Solterra vs. Crosstrek Hybrid: We Gave the EV Every Advantage: It Still Cost More to Own

During our recent testing, we had a chance to back-to-back test two green Subaru vehicles, which have virtually identical passenger space and are more alike than different. We decided to conduct a close analysis of the two vehicles' cost of ownership to determine whether the Solterra battery-electric vehicle or the Crosstrek Hybrid has an advantage. This is a hot topic, now that gas prices are a bit higher than the inflation-adjusted norm. The outcome busts the myth that EVs have advantages in the long-term cost of ownership.

Why Solterra vs. Crossstrek Hybrid?
It may come as a surprise to our readers that the Crosstrek has about three more cubic feet of passenger space than the Solterra. The Solterra is larger outside, but the Crosstrek is bigger inside. Not only is the Crosstrek larger in total passenger volume, but it also has more headroom, more front seat legroom, and more rear seat legroom. When driven, our right knee was always in contact with the Solterra’s hard plastic center console. Oddly enough, the “smaller” hybrid is actually bigger when you drive it. Now, the Solterra does have the edge on cargo volume, so we consider this matchup fair.

What Trims Will We Compare?
The Solterra we tested was a Limited, so instead of the Sport Hybrid Crosstrek we tested, we’ll use the higher-cost Limited Hybrid's price in our comparison to make the matchup as fair as possible.

Purchase Costs and Depreciation - Hybrid Advantage $6,430 On Day 1: $9,370 In Year 5
We will use Subaru’s official prices in our comparison, but of course, discounting will also play a role in the out-the-door price of any vehicle you buy, so shop around. We chose colors of these two vehicles without added paint charges for our comparison. Here are the prices of the 2026 Solterra Limited and Crosstrek Hybrid Limited, including Subaru’s Destination and Delivery charge:
2026 Solterra Limited $42,845
2026 Crosstrek Limited $36,415
Hybrid Advantage $6,430
On the very first day of our comparison, the hybrid starts out with a $6,430 price advantage over the battery-electric vehicle (BEV). This number is amazingly close to the average price disadvantage that EVs have over “gas-powered vehicles.” In April, Cox Automotive analyzed the price difference between the two and found that the “EV price premium over ICE+ vehicles widened modestly in April to approximately $6,214.” So, our example seems to represent the norm when comparing two similar vehicles, one EV and one of another powertrain type.

Depreciation is the real killer for EVs. In March, iSeeCars analyzed the 5-year depreciation for all types of vehicles. EVs have the worst depreciation as a group. The study found that EVs have an average 5-year depreciation of 57% of value. Hybrids, by contrast, have the best value retention of all powertrain types, and the Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid was specifically listed in the iSeeCars report. Its 5-year depreciation is 33.1%. So let’s now calculate how much each vehicle will cost its owner in terms of purchase price less depreciation in five years. Since we don't have the exact number for Solterra EV, let us lean its way generously and say that instead of the average of 57.2%, we’ll use 50% to boost its value up a smidge:
2026 Crosstrek Hybrid Limited 5-year projected depreciation $12,053
2026 Solterra Limited 5-year projected depreciation $21,423

After five years, the hybrid in our example has a dramatically lower cost of depreciation, giving it a $9,370 ownership cost advantage. So far, the hybrid in our example is dramatically more affordable than the EV, which costs its owner almost $2K more per year to own.

Insurance Costs - EV vs. Hybrid - Hybrid Advantage is $527 Per Year
A recent analysis by Insurify showed that EVs have dramatically higher insurance costs than other powertrain types. We reached out to Insurify and asked for the average insurance cost for each of these two specific vehicles. Insurify was kind enough to give us the data. 
2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid Limited Annual Insurance Cost Average $2,193
2026 Subaru Solterra EV Limited Annual Insurance Cost Average $2,720
Based on Insurify's data, the EV in our comparison will cost its owner $527 more to insure each year of ownership (on average). However, insurance costs vary widely by state and by driver. We suggest asking your insurance agent to compare the costs of the exact models you are considering when shopping for a new vehicle.

Energy Cost Comparison and Contrast EV vs. Hybrid - How You Charge Matters Most
As with insurance, what you pay for electricity depends entirely on your local area. The variation is extreme. We turned to FuelEconomy.Gov for the national averages. According to this source, the EV energy advantage for a vehicle driven 15,000 miles each year is $1,250 in favor of the EV. That is a very important cost difference. However, does this average use an at-home electricity price or a public one? That question is extremely important for shoppers.

I own a home in Metro West Boston and have two Level 2 EV chargers installed in the garage. My home charging rate from Eversource using the lowest available energy cost is $0.33/kWh. With the Solterra having a 74.7kWh battery and an EPA-estimated range of 278 miles, my energy cost per mile in the Solterra is nine cents per mile when charging at home. If I charge in public at the closet DC charger, the price is $0.58/kWh, making the cost per mile fifteen cents.

The Crosstrek Hybrid has an EPA-estimated 36 MPG. The last gas I purchased was this past Sunday, and I paid $3.99/gallon. Let’s use today's Massachusetts average, as supplied by AAA. That price is $4.37. The math at the higher average fuel cost works out to eleven cents per mile. You can calculate your own cost per mile for energy, but in the Northeast, the Crosstrek Hybrid and Solterra EV have no meaningful difference in energy cost. The Solterra has the edge if I charge at home, and the Crosstrek Hybrid is less expensive for energy if I were to use public DC charging for the EV. Both vehicles are quite reasonable to energize, with the Solterra being the highest in cost per mile for those who don’t have a home charger.  

As you can see, the EV is not the lowest cost for energy when charged in public using DC charging. Our take is that if you can charge at home, you will save money on energy with an EV. If you cannot, a hybrid will have the lower cost of energy in areas that have average gasoline prices. You will need to do your own math here.

Maintenance Costs EV vs. Hybrid
It’s difficult to calculate the exact maintenance cost for each of these vehicles over their lifetimes, but we can make some predictions and give the EV every advantage as we go along. The Solterra Limited has 20-inch OEM tires from either Yokohama ($992/set) or Bridgestone ($1,224/set). The 18-inch OEM Falken tire on the Crosstrek Hybrid has a cost of $849/set. We used prices from Tire Rack. So, the tire replacement cost for the Hybrid is lower. You can expect to pay about $50 to $300 per set less when you need tires for the Crosstrek vs. the Solterra. EVs are notorious for needing tires faster than other powertrain types, but let’s just assume that only one set every 3 years will be needed for each.

Both vehicles require tire rotations, 12-volt battery replacements, brake fluid service, wiper blade replacement, washing, and cabin air filter replacements, so there is no need to calculate these costs. Both have regenerative braking, and we can expect long brake pad and rotor life from each. No advantage or disadvantage for either.

The Crosstrek will need an oil change two times each year. Let’s budget $80 for each. Every 5 years, that will add $800 to the Crosstrek Hybrid's cost of ownership. Let’s also add $500 for a spark plug change for the Crosstrek every five years. Plus $300 for a rear differential fluid change. Thus, the annualized added maintenance cost for the hybrid will be $320. After factoring in the added cost of the EV's tires, let’s call the annual added cost of maintenance for the hybrid about $300.

Like the Solterra, the Crosstrek hybrid has no starter, no alternator, no serpentine belt, no timing belt, so those troublesome items will not be repair or replacement concerns. The dual-motor, planetary-gearset transmission in the Crosstrek Hybrid is maintenance-free and has proven reliable in Toyota vehicles that have used it for decades. Feel free to add any other costs you can think of for the Subaru Hybrid model.

Hybrid Wins the Cost of Ownership Matchup
The one distinct advantage we find for the EV is maintenance. The Solterra EV should cost about $300 less for maintenance each year. Energy depends mainly on two factors: Your local cost for fuel, and whether you charge at home or in public. Using the national averages for energy, the Solterra has a $1,250 advantage per 15,000 miles of use.

Before our final tally, let us assure you we understand that the driving experience matters. You can read a full-length comparison of these two vehicles in our focus story.

Here is a per-year breakdown of the first five years’ advantages and disadvantages:
Hybrid Depreciation Advantage $1,874
Hybrid Insurance Advantage $ 527
EV Energy Advantage - (High Miles and National Averages) $1250
EV Maintenance Advantage $300
Final Outcome - Hybrid Costs $851 Per Year Less To Own

Overall, where and how you add energy to these vehicles will be the biggest x-factor in their ownership costs. In Metro Boston, the Hybrid wins easily because we have average gas prices and high electricity costs, even when we charge at home. Charging in public is the real savings killer for the EV. One thing our analysis shows is that even when we give the EV the benefit of the doubt at every step, the hybrid costs much less to own than the EV. Which is not a headline you often find published.

Help us find the inevitable math error in our story. If an error is found, we’ll correct it. Tell us in the comments below what your personal energy costs would do to change this outcome.
 

John Goreham is a 14-year veteran of Torque News. An accomplished writer and a long-time expert in vehicle testing, Goreham also serves as the Vice President of the New England Motor Press Association and has a growing social media presence. He’s also a 10-year staff writer and community moderator for Car Talk. Goreham holds a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering and an undergraduate Certificate in Marketing. In addition to vehicle and tire content, he offers deep dives into market trends and opinion pieces. You can follow John Goreham on X and TikTok, and connect with him on LinkedIn.

Insurance graphic courtesy of Insurify. Images by John Goreham.