Subaru is finally joining the electric vehicle (EV) market with the Subaru Solterra, designed to combine the benefits of an electric car with the rugged features Subaru customers love. For the most part, it succeeds in delivering a decent driving experience and a relatively spacious interior. However, it faces strong competition from the likes of the Tesla Model Y, Hyundai Ioniq 5, Kia EV6, and Ford Mustang Mach-E, which are in a similar price range or even cheaper.
So, does the Solterra stand out enough? It may appeal to the right person, but many who are looking at cars in this size and price category might consider alternatives. We tested the Subaru Solterra Touring for a week to see how it holds up.
Living in California, I see Subarus often, and they usually have a distinct look. The Solterra, however, breaks that mold. Its design is different from any previous Subaru. While it’s not the most stylish EV, it’s not unattractive either, with an angular build, large black plastic wheel arches, and a pointed rear. Interestingly, the Solterra looks very similar to the Toyota bZ4X, as both were developed in partnership with Toyota, with only minor differences between them.
The interior of the Solterra is roomy enough for a small family and offers a good amount of storage, including a 23.8 cubic-foot trunk. It features a digital gauge cluster set further back towards the windshield, along with either a 12.3-inch display for infotainment or an 8-inch one on base models. The car has a square steering wheel, which I got used to quickly. The seats in the high-end Touring model are covered in plush leather and are ventilated, providing good comfort. However, some interior materials feel a bit cheap due to the extensive use of plastic. Overall, the car is spacious and comfortable, which is what you’d expect.
While the Subaru Solterra isn’t packed with the latest tech, it does offer some useful features. The 12.3-inch infotainment display supports CarPlay and Android Auto, which is handy since Subaru’s own software isn’t great. There’s also a wireless phone charger that can easily accommodate larger phones, like the iPhone 15 Pro Max.
The Solterra comes with various driver-assist features. Standard ones include blind-spot monitoring and a backup camera, though the latter has a fish-eye effect. Our test model also had a bird’s-eye view for parking, adaptive cruise control, lane-centering, and a digital rearview mirror. These features are user-friendly, though many aren’t standard and require either higher trims or add-on options.
Built for rugged conditions, the Solterra is only available in an all-wheel drive configuration with two motors delivering a combined 215 horsepower and 249 pound-feet of torque. It offers different driving modes like Eco, Normal, Power, and X-Mode, with the latter designed for off-roading or slippery roads.
Driving the Solterra Touring was generally a good experience. It’s relatively speedy, though not as quick as some competitors in this price range. Steering is responsive but also not as sharp as models like the Ioniq 5. The Solterra has paddles behind the steering wheel to adjust regenerative braking and a button for single-pedal driving, though this setting doesn’t remain active once the car is turned off.
The Solterra can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 6.5 seconds, which is slower than some competitors. Cars like the Ioniq 5 and EV6 offer quicker acceleration options, which might be worth considering if speed is important to you.
One area where the Solterra falls short is in range and charging. The car has a top range of 227 miles for the base Premium trim, and 225 miles for Limited and Touring trims. This limited range is disappointing, especially since there’s no option for a larger battery. We would prefer a range of at least 300 miles, even if just as an option. The charging speed is also slow, with the car capable of charging from 0% to 80% in about 35 minutes at a maximum speed of 100 kilowatts. This is slower compared to modern EVs that support charging speeds of at least 150kW, allowing them to charge to 80% in under 20 minutes.
The 2024 Subaru Solterra Touring isn’t a bad electric car, especially considering that the base model comes with all-wheel drive. However, it lags behind competitors like the Tesla Model Y, Ford Mustang Mach-E, Kia EV6, and Hyundai Ioniq 5 in speed, range, and charging capability.
If you’re still interested in the Subaru Solterra, the Limited trim might be the best option. It’s less expensive than the top-end Touring model but still offers useful features like heated seats and additional driver-assist features like extra parking sensors.