[StefanH_STHLM]

It's sad to see that Subaru have succumbed to badge engineering. 😳😖😭

 

[JIm_in_PA]

I'm not really understanding why this is surprising to folks...this is a joint development project between Toyota and Subaru...the former owns a big chunk of the latter, and Toyota has a lot of experience with electrification. The Subaru version has the Subaru AWD and other things that make a Subaru a Subaru, but having a radically different look wouldn't be all that cost effective for a first EV-from-the-ground-up effort joint project. And honestly, there's not a whole lot that is going to differentiate similar sized and similar comported vehicles at this point, no matter what nameplate is on it. That's why it sometimes takes an extra glance to note what make/model something that buzzed by you is.

 

[HeyChris]

BMW did it with Toyota too... Without that mashup, the current Supra would not have made it to production.

 

[StefanH_STHLM]

I'm not really understanding why this is surprising to folks...this is a joint development project between Toyota and Subaru...the former owns a big chunk of the latter, and Toyota has a lot of experience with electrification. The Subaru version has the Subaru AWD and other things that make a Subaru a Subaru, but having a radically different look wouldn't be all that cost effective for a first EV-from-the-ground-up effort joint project. And honestly, there's not a whole lot that is going to differentiate similar sized and similar comported vehicles at this point, no matter what nameplate is on it. That's why it sometimes takes an extra glance to note what make/model something that buzzed by you is.

It's sadly not surprising eather.
There are lot of examples on manufacturers that try to stay away from badge engineering even if they easily could go down that path. VAG group with Audi,VW, Skoda and SEAT are a good example. They have done it occasionally in the past with VW Sharan and SEAT Alhambra.

 

[jmajid]

Squinting at the clearance/ride height vs the spokes on the wheels in both photos, they look similar.
Does this mean the bz4x and Solterra will share the same ride height and will that then mean the Solterra wont be able to differentiate that way either?

 

[Commodore]

Does everyone still feel this way? Anyone?

 

[JIm_in_PA]

Squinting at the clearance/ride height vs the spokes on the wheels in both photos, they look similar.
Does this mean the bz4x and Solterra will share the same ride height and will that then mean the Solterra wont be able to differentiate that way either?

Purely a guess, but I suspect they will be "very similar" since the AWD version of the Toyota also has the X-Mode package and both share the same safety systems, etc. I don't think there's going to be a whole lot of difference in specifications, honestly, since they will be coming down the same assembly line.