Yahoo Autos Subaru's Solterra Brings All-Terrain Chops to an Otherwise-Cautious EV
While global giants like General Motors and the Volkswagen Group are splashing around the deep end of the pool with a slew of electric offerings, smaller, independent Subaru is standing on the edge, warily dipping its toe into the murky waters. Subaru is reportedly developing several new EVs for launch before the end of the decade, but until then the Japanese company is testing the market with the Solterra, first introduced for 2023. Jointly developed with Toyota—which owns a 20 percent stake in Subaru—alongside the nearly identical bZ4X, the Solterra boasts greater all-terrain abilities than most of its peers and is comfortable in daily driving but falls behind the electric compact-SUV competition with its mediocre range and middling performance.
Subaru keeps the Solterra lineup simple with three trim levels, all sharing the same mechanicals. This Touring model represents the top of the line, starting at $53,340, and comes fully loaded. The only options on the example we tested were the two-tone look of Harbor Mist Gray Pearl paint and Galactic Black roof, an $890 add-on; all-weather floor liners for $187; and a $141 cargo tray.
Acceleration Test Results
Motivation comes from a pair of permanent-magnet synchronous motors, one mounted on each axle for a combined 215 horsepower and 249 pound-feet of torque. Acceleration isn't as punchy as many EVs but is quick enough for daily driving, with the Solterra scooting to 30 mph in 2.1 seconds and to 60 mph in 6.1 seconds.
Switching drive modes slightly affects accelerator response, but the Solterra doesn't feel significantly zippier in Power mode and takes a beat before responding to big accelerator inputs. This pause rears its head in passing maneuvers, with the 30-to-50-mph test requiring 2.5 seconds and the 50-to-70-mph test taking 3.7 seconds. The Solterra lags behind most of its all-wheel-drive rivals in nearly all performance metrics.
Range and Recharging Test Results
The Solterra's battery pack, with a C/D-estimated net capacity of just 65.4 kilowatt-hours, returns a lackluster range. The EPA estimates the Touring model can travel 222 miles on a charge—the base Premium trim goes five miles farther due to smaller 18-inch wheels (vs. the Touring's 20s)—but in our highway range test, conducted at a steady 75 mph, the Solterra only could muster 200 miles. That's just 10 miles behind the dual-motor Hyundai Ioniq 5, but the Solterra's result is 40 miles adrift of the all-wheel-drive Volkswagen ID.4 and 60 miles worse than the all-wheel-drive Chevrolet Equinox EV.
The Solterra also suffers from slow charging speeds. When connected to a 100-kW DC fast-charger, Subaru says the Solterra will go from 10 to 80 percent charge in about 35 minutes. This is an improvement over the 2023 model, which needed 56 minutes for the same feat. In Car and Driver's fast-charge test, the Solterra peaked at 99 kilowatts and averaged only 67 kilowatts while taking 48 minutes to go from 10 to 90 percent.
For 2024, Subaru introduced paddles behind the steering wheel to adjust the regenerative braking—a welcome addition, but the regeneration is not particularly strong even in the highest setting. The S-Pedal, the closest equivalent to a one-pedal mode, does not bring the SUV to a complete stop. Even with the Hold function activated, the Solterra crawls along slowly until you brake to a complete stop, where it then holds the car without needing any brake pressure.
Unlike its Toyota sibling, the Solterra comes exclusively with all-wheel drive and features Subaru's X-Mode to mete out power for maximum traction in off-road scenarios. The Solterra also has hill-descent control and Grip Control, effectively a low-speed cruise control for traveling over uneven terrain. We've driven the Solterra on trails in the past and found it capable for most light off-roading.
Driving the Solterra
Around town, the Solterra's ride is compliant, and what bumps do sneak through the suspension are muted. It's not quite luxury-car levels of comfort, but combined with supportive and plush seats, it makes for a relaxing experience. However, the Solterra suffers from a nagging beep when reversing—like the chime you might hear if your seatbelt isn't fastened—and lowers the volume of the music automatically. The Solterra also lacks a rear windshield wiper.
Inside, the Solterra is nearly identical to the bZ4X. The Touring's 12.3-inch touchscreen looks crisp and borrows its clean, logical layout from Toyota. The display is supplemented by an array of buttons, but the capacitive-touch controls for the climate system can be difficult to use while driving. The Solterra has a small digital gauge cluster that sits high up on the dashboard, and the driver looks over the steering wheel to see it. Subaru introduced a new squared-off steering wheel for 2024 to improve the view of the display, but the Solterra's helm still effectively sits in your lap, a position that takes some adjusting to.
The cabin feels well appointed, with soft materials in most places that your fingers might land and an outdoorsy, athletic fabric on the dashboard. The gloss black plastic on the center console, however, will get easily smudged and scratched with regular use. The back seat is spacious, with plentiful legroom and headroom. The Touring also features heated rear seats and for 2024 adds standard ventilation to the front seats. The sloping rear hatchback eats into cargo volume, although there's still 24 cubic feet behind the rear seats.
There's no glove compartment, but a large storage space under the center console compensates with ample space. And while the Solterra also lacks a frunk, Subaru did add standard roof rails, which are rated for a dynamic capacity of 176 pounds. They also have a 700-pound static capacity, which Subaru suggests will work for a rooftop tent, perfect for the company's adventurous clientele.
In everyday driving, the Solterra is a pleasant companion with a well-finished cabin, attractive styling, and adequate performance. It also will traverse dirt roads with more confidence than most electric crossovers, but with a meager range, getting to and from the trailhead will require extra planning. The Solterra feels like a cautious first step into EVs for Subaru, but hopefully it's one that informs a big cannonball splash later this decade.
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