Subaru Solterra 2023 review

Subaru Solterra: The company’s first all-electric SUV, the 2023 Solterra, continues on Subaru’s heritage of building vehicles and crossovers with excellent all-wheel drive capabilities, making it a popular choice for both outdoor enthusiasts and drivers who must contend with bad weather.

There are three trim levels for the Solterra: Premium, Limited, and Touring. Depending on the trim, each vehicle has an all-wheel drive system with two motors and a 72.8 kWh battery pack that can propel 222–228 kilometres.

However, the Solterra has drawbacks compared to other similarly sized electric all-wheel drive cars. The Hyundai Ioniq 5 and its Kia EV6 sibling, several Ford Mustang Mach-E trims, the Volkswagen ID.4 and its cousin, the Audi Q4 e-tron, as well as the AWD version of its separately reviewed Toyota twin—the two cars were co-developed and share underpinnings, powertrains, and design elements—will compete with the Solterra.

Although the performance isn’t as good as that of sector leaders like the EV6 and Ioniq 5, it accelerates quickly and offers a smooth, elevated ride for $46,220. While the Solterra isn’t approved for any towing, most EVs in the sector can pull lightweight trailers.

The 2023 Solterra is more prolonged and higher than any of its rivals, measuring 184.6 inches from bumper to bumper and 69 inches in height. Yet, it nevertheless sacrifices interior space and load capacity. The only other electric competitor with a smaller inside passenger capacity is the bZ4X. The ID.4 and Q4 e-trons are somewhat slimmer. However, the inside of the Solterra seems relatively spacious, and the alterations are all slight. Regarding load capacity, it outperforms all rivals save for the ID.4 and some Mach-E trims.

Although Subaru’s new centre touchscreen works well, the driver display is oddly positioned far behind the wheel. The tiny 6.6 kW on-board charger on the Solterra makes charging take longer. Due to the Solterra’s poor range (it doesn’t even reach 250 miles), slow charging speed, and striking similarity to its Toyota bZ4X twin, alternative all-wheel-drive electric crossovers may become more alluring.

Performance:Subaru Solterra

Two independently regulated 80 kW motors, one on each axle, are used in all three Solterra trims. These motors provide a combined output of 215 horsepower and 248 pound-feet of torque. That is the same as the bZ4X AWD variant, although rivals offer more. Leading the group is the dual-motor, 320-horsepower Ioniq 5 and EV6.

Subaru says it will take 6.5 seconds to get from 0 to 60 mph, which is slower than most competitors. Nonetheless, the torque of the Solterra is quickly accessible, allowing it to accelerate rapidly from the outset.

The ride is smooth and silent on paved highways. Four-wheel disc brakes and four driver-selectable regeneration settings result in relatively linear braking. However, electric power steering is quite numb. The Solterra’s “one-pedal” driving function combines mechanical and regenerative braking to bring the vehicle to a near stop without using the brake pedal.

When off-road, the Solterra excels at light- to mid-grade trail work. With 8.3 inches of ground clearance (the Forester has 8.7 inches), Subaru’s trail-tested mechanical “Symmetrical AWD” system, and its StarDrive electric all-wheel drive system, it can readily tackle various conditions.

Power Consumption, Charging, and Range:

The Solterra is the most fuel-efficient Subaru; official EPA estimates have not yet been released. However, the basic model is predicted to get 104 MPGe overall, while the two heavier and more advanced trims are expected to achieve 102 MPGe. The Solterra is in the top third of all EVs regarding energy used per 100 miles of driving.

Even so, it receives a lower grade from us since, although it beats the Q4 e-tron, ID.4, and Mustang Mach-E AWD trims, it is tied with the bZ4X and inferior to the Ioniq 5 and EV6 AWDs.

The Solterra has a 6.6 kW on-board charger for home charging on Level 2 equipment to keep its battery fully charged. A completely dead battery pack may be recharged in around ten hours. Aside from the bZ4X, all rivals use a far faster 11 kW system.

Driver assistance and safety:

The automaker’s highly rated EyeSight suite of cutting-edge driver aid and safety technologies is available for the Solterra. It incorporates adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, lane keeping assistance, forward collision avoidance and braking with detection of cyclists and pedestrians, and junction collision avoidance assistance. Standard features include front and rear parking warnings with automated braking, safe exit assistance, and blind spot and rear cross-traffic alarms.

The two higher grades have a 360-degree surround-vision camera system and automated parallel and perpendicular parking.

Due to the lack of crash test data from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Solterra’s overall safety rating is lower than that of tested competitors like the ID. However, EVs with platforms akin to skateboards have been successful. The Mustang Mach-E was named a Top Safety Pick by the IIHS, while the rear-wheel-drive ID.4 and all Tesla Model Y models have obtained 5-star ratings from the NHTSA.

Coziness and Space:Subaru Solterra

Except for the bZ4X, the Solterra has the least passenger space in its class. However, the inside is made more open by the flat floor and wheels to the corners design. Three people may find it a little crowded in the rear, but there is enough for four. The Subaru Solterra crossover is broader and longer than the Forester crossover but has less headroom, legroom, and payload space.

However, with 42.1 inches of front legroom, the Solterra outclasses all other compact electric crossovers, save from the EV6. However, its 38.3 inches of back legroom is the least of all the competitors. All competitors have more considerable front headroom than the Solterra (38.6 inches), except the Ioniq 5 with a sunroof. We docked it points for such deficiencies.

It has a contemporary interior with cosy, supportive seats.

Infotainment:Subaru Solterra

The centrepiece of Solterra’s dash is a 12.3-inch touchscreen (8 inches in the lowest model) that powers Subaru’s take on the new Toyota Audio Multimedia infotainment system. It is positioned above a central panel with knobs and switches to regulate the temperature, music, and driving modes. Standard features include dual smartphone pairing, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and over-the-air software upgrades. A premium Harman Kardon audio system, GPS, and wireless phone charging are all included with the two higher grades.

Front seat passengers have two USB-C charging connections, one USB-A media port, and two USB-C ports in the back seating section. The Subaru counterpart of Toyota’s linked services, Solterra Connect, offers Wi-Fi and remote phone access via a subscription service.

The multimedia touchscreen in the middle of the dash and the floating console are stylish and contemporary features, but the placement of the 7-inch digital driver information panel is peculiar. Some drivers may need to stow the steering wheel adjustably to maintain the screen in their line of sight. Some taller drivers could feel that they are towering over the wheel and using their laps as steering aids.

Storage and Cargo Space:

With its 27.7 cubic feet of cargo space behind the back seats, the Solterra is in the centre of its class. When the rear seats are folded flat, that capacity increases to 56.9 cubic feet. A shallow well that adds 1.3 cubic feet is made possible by lowering the moveable floorboard.

The VW ID.4 (30.3 and 64.2 cubic feet) and the Mustang Mach-E (29.7 and 59.7 cubes) dominate the class in load capacity. While none of Solterra’s rivals are approved for towing, the bZ4X and Mach-E can tow modest trailers.

The glove box is also absent from the Solterra, but its two-level console has two cupholders, an upper-level covered cubby, and a lower-level open bin. Storage pockets are on the backs of the front seats, and map pockets with bottle holders are on the doors.

The tiny centre seat and the two broader outer seats’ backs may be folded in any configuration to give the 40/20/40 back seats even more cargo versatility.

Subaru offers a warranty on rooftop tent use with the Solterra as long as the entire weight, including occupants, stays under 700 pounds when the car is parked.

Design:Subaru Solterra

The bZ4X and the Solterra have sharp edges and several creases on their sheet metal “origami” design. However, the Solterra has unique features, such as its LED lighting system, a trapezoidal “grille” form delineated on the nose, and matte black body cladding instead of gloss like the Toyota. Vertical air vents are created by the cladding that encircles the front fascia. It closely resembles the Mach-E from the front.

A short hood, a slanted windshield, and a sharply canted rear window flank the passenger compartment. There is no wiper on the back window; airflow is directed by a spoiler installed on the roof. The outside is finished with a broad stance, body-coloured door handles, and a thin, body-width spoiler under the rear window.

Top trims include 20-inch tires and wheels, while the Premium model has 18-inch alloy wheels and all-season rubber. The small front and rear overhangs let the Solterra climb obstacles without damaging bumpers and are aesthetically pleasant.

Is the 2023 Subaru Solterra Worth It?

Every trim level of the Solterra is fully equipped and eligible for the $7,500 federal tax credit: just the VW ID and the all-wheel drive bZ4X.Compared to the Solterra, 4 EVs are less expensive at launch.

The Premium has a starting price of $46,220 before incentives and a destination charge of $1,225. A complete suite of driver assistance and active safety systems, an 8-inch touchscreen screen, heated front seats and steering wheel, an audio system with six speakers, electronic all-wheel drive with X-Mode, and downhill aid for off-road driving are all standard features.

The Limited is priced starting at $49,720. In addition, it has wireless phone charging, a 12.3-inch infotainment screen, heated back seats, automatic parking assistance, power-folding side mirrors, roof rails, a power liftgate, and fake leather upholstery. We believe it to be the most significant value in terms of both price and substance.

Starting at $53,220, the Touring model adds options for comfort and style, such as a digital rearview mirror, cooling front seats, and abundant ambient inside lighting. Paint in two tones is an option.

How Much Does Subaru Solterra Insurance Cost 2023?

Insurance for the Toyota bZ4X should cost the same as that of the Solterra. The average yearly Premium for a 30-year-old female driver with a spotless record is less than $1,900, but this figure applies to all 50 states. Being a new electric vehicle, the Solterra is taller than the previous Subarus, has gas engines, and is more in line with comparable EVs. Owners of a VW ID.4 may spend $1,970 annually, compared to $1,790 for a Hyundai Ioniq 5.

Subaru Solterra Generations

First Generation
2022 to Present

Subaru’s first all-electric vehicle is the Solterra. Its name, a combination of the words “sol” and “terra,” which translate to “sun” and “earth,” was first leaked in 2021. The first deliveries are anticipated well before the year ends, with production starting in 2022. The e-TNGA (electric Toyota New Global Architecture) battery platform, co-developed with Toyota and dubbed the Subaru Global Platform for the Solterra, serves as the foundation for the next bZ4X and the co-developed vehicle.

Although Subaru doesn’t have as ambitious electrification goals as Toyota, the Japanese automaker intends to have 40% of its worldwide sales from electric vehicles, including hybrids.

In contrast to Toyota, which plans to limit the number of EV-friendly states in which its electric crossover is sold, Subaru claims that the Solterra will first be available at dealerships across all 50 states, with allocations based on consumer demand. The number of Solterras is expected to double by 2023.

Due to production capacity issues at the Toyota plant in Japan, where the Solterra will be built alongside the bZ4X, parts shortages, and, most likely, some corporate timidity regarding demand for an electric Subaru given the limitations of the Solterra, Subaru is only planning to import 6,500 Solterras into the United States for the 2022 calendar year.

Verdict

The 2023 Subaru Solterra has a capable electronic all-wheel-drive system and is more than an adequate little electric crossover. Because it was co-developed with Toyota, it has too much Toyota in its hesitant acceptance of electricity and too little Subaru DNA in its design. The all-wheel-drive system that Subaru designed for the Solterra is excellent, but like its Toyota bZ4X twin, there aren’t many more features that set it apart from the competition. Nevertheless, Subaru caters to outdoor enthusiasts, and the Solterra is the company’s first model that meets environmental standards thanks to its zero tailpipe emissions.