Here’s What to Expect from the Subaru Solterra EV

• 2023 Subaru Solterra electric SUV will be shown at the LA auto show, ahead of 2022 commercial launch in the US.

• The electric SUV is expected to be offered in dual-motor form, with a 71.4-kWh (gross) battery.

• Subaru's version of the bZ4X is expected to be positioned slightly above Toyota's version, and will be more off-road friendly.

Subaru is getting ready to take the wraps off its first mass-market EV next week, when the Solterra debuts at the LA auto show. The battery-electric EV will share a platform with the Toyota bZ4X, which was revealed in near-production form just last week, but Subaru is expected to put its own spin on the model, not only to differentiate it from the Toyota version on the outside, but to offer its own audience something they will appreciate from a Subaru owner's perspective.

What can we expect from Subaru's electric SUV?

When it comes to the powertrain, the Solterra is likely to keep the 71.4-kWh battery of its Toyota twin, which will offer about 310 miles of the range in the slightly optimistic WLTP cycle. The Subaru model could also be offered solely in all-wheel-drive flavor with about 215 hp and 248 lb-ft of torque on tap, skipping the single-motor version. This means Subaru will likely position the Solterra a bit higher price-wise, while also seeking to offer its buyers the extra power from the all-wheel-drive version, since the single-motor bZ4X will only serve up 201 hp and 195 lb-ft of torque— fairly tame figures for what won't be a light vehicle.

The dual-motor Solterra should stick close to its twin's 7.7-second sprints from 0 to 62 mph. DC fast-charging speeds of up to 150 kW should allow the Solterra to juice up to 80% in 30 minutes, which will be fairly quick for a battery of its size. When it comes to range, the model should land around the 250-mile mark in the EPA cycle.