When Subaru’s first electrical automobile introduced in past due 2021, the Solterra had one thing of an issue: It wasn’t precisely aggressive in any of the main components that EV consumers in most cases search for. Its 220-mile vary and 215-horsepower output had been middling at perfect when in comparison to automobiles just like the Tesla Fashion Y. Its quirky styling did not precisely assist, both.
For 2026, Subaru is giving the Solterra a vital up-do. Do not name it a reboot, as it is nonetheless very a lot the similar SUV as earlier than, however with extra vary, extra energy and higher tech — all to be had at a beginning value of $TKTK that hardly modified. The result’s a a lot more compelling automobile. Now, with Tesla’s world enchantment falling to an rock bottom, which takes the Fashion Y off the desk for lots of consumers, Subaru’s first EV feels love it’s in the end discovered its time to polish.
Extra of what you need
I am the primary particular person to inform a possible EV purchaser that vary isn’t the primary criterion they must be taking into account when EV buying groceries. There are lots of extra necessary components that have an effect on your high quality of lifestyles every day than what number of charging stops you can wish to make for your annual highway go back and forth. Nonetheless, when the unique Solterra used to be doing 220 miles on a fee, whilst the Tesla Fashion Y did neatly over 300, that made the object just a little of a difficult promote.
Fortunately, the 2026 Solterra will get a large bump in that division, as much as 288 miles on a fee. It’s now not class-leading whatsoever, however as somebody who is lived with EVs for years, I will be able to expectantly say that is numerous juice to do away with vary nervousness for many.
Impressively, the brand new Subaru does that on a battery pack that is slightly any larger: 74.7 kWh vs. 72.8 earlier than. The place does the additional vary come from, then? Subaru and Toyota engineers (this automobile is automatically just like the 2026 Toyota bZ) deployed a raft of delicate enhancements that lead to considerable potency, the entirety from aerodynamic tweaks to up to date electronics and new motors.
When it is time to plug in, the Solterra and the Fashion Y can now use the similar chargers. For 2026, the Solterra switches over to a Tesla-style NACS port, although the automobile comes with adapters for the usage of J1772 and CCS ports. Outright charging velocity is up by means of 50 p.c over remaining 12 months’s automobile, however that simplest equates to a most charging price of 150 kW. Once more, it’s a large growth, however now not class-leading.
It might probably no less than burn the ones electrons extra temporarily. Outright energy is up, with the Solterra now hanging down 338 horsepower thru all 4 wheels at the XT trims, a pleasant spice up from the previous automobile’s 215.
Giant show, giant protection
All the ones updates are great, however attainable consumers can be extra in an instant wooed by means of an absolutely rethought dashboard structure that is nonetheless quirky however considerably much less awkward than earlier than. A brand new, 14-inch touchscreen dominates court cases, supplying you with fast and simple get entry to to the entirety from navigation to media playback. It serves as a beneficiant canvas for both Android Auto or Apple CarPlay, either one of which can be presented wirelessly.
There may be now not one however two wi-fi charging pads to hold your units juiced whilst slinging tunes and navigation, plus a couple of USB-C ports in the second one row for passengers. With 60 watts of output, back-seat productiveness hounds can hold luckily typing away even though they forgot their adapter.
They are going to be comfy, too. There is a just right quantity of headroom and legroom within the rear seat, plus 23.8 cubic ft of shipment area within the rear.
In the case of protecting everybody protected, the brand new Solterra gives Subaru’s EyeSight machine usual, together with automated emergency braking, adaptive cruise keep an eye on and a lane-centering machine. I were given an excellent chance to pattern those programs within the an increasing number of heavy visitors in and round Denver, Colorado. The adaptive cruise introduced the automobile to an entire forestall and resumed by itself when visitors got here to a move slowly, whilst the lively lane-keep machine ensured the Solterra stayed focused.
The force
For my day at the back of the wheel of the brand new Solterra, Subaru equipped me with a style in top-shelf Traveling XT trim, the best efficiency. That intended I were given to pattern the automobile’s complete 338 horsepower, however I’ve to confess that in the case of acceleration, the object nonetheless is not a rocket send. It has the moment torque of an EV and is unquestionably fast, however the energy is delivered in a quite extra comfortable approach than most of the peppier EVs available on the market these days.
That personality continues right through the Solterra force revel in. Steerage is moderately sharp and responsive, however the suspension does not truly inspire any overly dramatic cornering antics. The traction and steadiness keep an eye on programs temporarily and swiftly kill all energy on the first trace of lack of grip. For lots of Subaru fans, that is simply when issues get started getting a laugh.
It would possibly not be an apprehension for your favourite gravel highway, however the Solterra is slightly competent when the asphalt ends. Subaru arrange a brief filth direction, which used to be extra meander in the course of the timber than correct expedition. Nonetheless, it proved the SUV succesful at the varieties of terrain a mass-market device like that is prone to see.
In the case of convenience and experience high quality, the Solterra treated maximum highway imperfections and bumps with out factor, however felt a little bit harsh over larger stuff. There is not any actual wind noise or the like, making it a quiet and calm freeway cruiser, however a good bit of highway noise did arise in the course of the suspension on rougher stretches of asphalt.
Wrap-up
In some ways, this stepped forward Solterra appears like the electrical SUV that the logo must have introduced within the first position. Higher past due than by no means. The large spice up in vary and function, plus all of the different tech and have upgrades, make for a considerably stepped forward automobile. It nonetheless comes up a little bit wanting the contest from Hyundai or Tesla in the case of key metrics that EV consumers have a tendency to hyper-fixate on — in particular vary — however it is shut sufficient now to be judged on its different deserves. Fortunately, the ones deserves are just right.
