The Solterra is the first fully-electric vehicle from Subaru. It’s a mid-sized SUV that
went on sale here in early-2024. If it looks familiar that’s because it’s a model-share
arrangement with the Toyota bZ4X .
It’s the second such Subaru / Toyota partnership following on from the two-door
sports Subaru BRZ and Toyota GR86. We understand that more will follow with
Toyota hybrid powertrains fitted to existing Subaru models.
While Solterra and bZ4X share the same dedicated EV platform (e-TNGA), they are
tuned and marketed independently to reflect their respective brands’ identities.
Solterra comes in two variants – entry level just named Solterra is priced at $63,990
and Solterra Touring at $69,990 plus on-road costs. Bad news for early adopters is
that these are down by $6000 and $7000 respectively on their original launch prices.
Clearly to bring them closer to those of the Bx4X.
These MY26 price cuts also came with extra power and torque, greater driving range
and tech updates.
Unlike many of its competitors, including the entry-level bZ4X, which come with a
single motor, Solterra maintains Subaru’s AWD commitment by having a motor on
each axle in both models.
Both models come standard with a five-year unlimited kilometre warranty, with a five-
year service plan and roadside assist. The battery is covered for eight years and
160,000 km.
Key service intervals are 12 months or 15,000 km.
Our test vehicle was the Solterra Touring.
STYLING
The 2026 Solterra update comes with a noticeable change at the front with a less
aggressive look than its predecessor. Although it’s still not immediately recognisable
as an EV like most others of its ilk there is a narrow ‘grille’ with a large Subaru badge
in the centre. It’s flanked by triple headlights with built-in daytime running lights.
The profile adopts the SUV/fastback crossover lines that are in fashion at the
moment.
The bumpers are painted piano black to almost suggest that there is cladding.
Style overrides substance at the rear with the absence of wipers.
The Touring model gets a full-length powered panoramic sunroof
There’s a choice of six exterior colours in all variants with the Touring adding the
option of a black micra two-tone roof in two of the colours.
The base Solterra runs on 18-inch alloy wheels with Touring stepping up to 20-inch.
Both get aerodynamic caps.
INTERIOR
With its ground clearance OF 212 mm entry and exit to the Solterra is easy. There’s
also a Safe Exit Assist feature that alerts occupants from opening doors into the path
of oncoming traffic or cyclists.
Synthetic leather upholstery is standard in both Solterra variants, with black in the
base model and blue in the Touring. All seats are comfortable and supportive.
There’s eight-way power adjustment for the driver’s seat, a heated leather steering
wheel, heated front and outboard rear seats, ambient LED lighting, carpet mats and
both 12V/120W and USB-A and USB-C ports.
Unusually, there is no glovebox although we found the owner’s’ handbook in the
storage area beneath the floating centre console.
Front and outboard rear seats are all heated.
Below the large central touchscreen there are rotary dials and knobs for audio volume
and separate buttons for the dual-zone climate-control system’s temperature, fan and
air-flow settings. There are also short-cut buttons on the driver’s side of the screen.
There is smart key entry, push-button start, all-auto power windows, 12V/120W outlet
and both USB-A and USB-C ports (two each front and rear).
The rear window is wide but thin. To improve visibility there is a choice between a
conventional mirror and a digital alternative. The image in the latter s wide, sharp and
easy to focus on, unlike some on the market that distort a magnified image.
Boot space is 421 litres in the base model and 410 litres in the Touring, expanding to
around 1050 litres with the rear seatbacks folded.
Both variants get a powered tailgate. Under the flat boot floor there’s a storage area
for the charging equipment – but no spare wheel, which is a surprise for a brand that
prides itself on moderate off-road qualities.
POWERTRAIN
Solterra is powered by twin permanent magnet synchronous motors. Using a 74.7
kWh lithium-ion battery pack the front motor generates 167 kW and 268 Nm with the
rear one adding 88 kW and 169 Nm for combined output of 252 kW and 438 Nm.
Battery charging comes via AC or DC. With a 150kW DC charger 10-80 percent will
take approximately 30 minutes. A single phase 11kW AC charger will get from zero to
100% in about seven and-a-half hours.
INFOTAINMENT
Both Solterra models come with a 14.0-inch central infotainment touchscreen (up
from the previous 12.3-inch) with split-screen capacity, satellite navigation with
intelligent EV route planning, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity
and Bluetooth voice control.
There are two 15W wireless chargers on the centre console.
The entry=level Solterra comes with a six-speaker audio unit while the Touring steps
up to a premium 10-speaker Harman Kardon system with a subwoofer and amplifier.
A very sensible feature is the 7-inch digital cluster that’s located on top of the dash
directly in front of the driver and at a level that almost makes it as visible as a
windscreen head-up display.
We loved the large, square-shaped and padded steering wheel although it does seem
to divide opinion. It contains a number of push-button controls and brake-
regeneration paddles on the side.
SAFETY
Solterra was tested by ANCAP in late-2025 and scored the maximum five-star rating.
There are eight airbags including for the driver’s knee and in the front centre. Other
features are packaged within the Subaru Safety Sense system including pre-collision
system, emergency steering and braking assist, lane departure warning and lane
tracing assist, radar cruise control, road sign assist and speed limiter.
The Vision Assist with adaptive high beam, blind spot monitor, front and rear parking
sensors and parking brake support, rear cross traffic alert, safe exit assist, 360-
degree view monito. Touring adds advanced parking assistance via displays and
alerts.
There are ISOFIX child seat anchor points on the outside rear seats.
DRIVING
Visibility is excellent to the front and sides although limited to the rear because of the
sloping roofline. However, that is addressed with the inclusion of a rear-mounted
camera that provides an uncluttered view that can be toggled and adjusted through a
button on the bottom of the mirror.
Gear selection is a bit fiddly needing the dial on the centre console to be pushed
down then turned.
Inevitably in today’s new vehicles, there is a range of driver assistance features most
of which are set and can be adjusted through the touchscreen. They are nowhere
near as distracting in Solterra as in other cars especially those from China.
A tight turning circle and responsive steering make for comfortable city driving. It’s an
EV so sharp acceleration is a given but the twin-motors raise that to a new level.
Indeed, it has been timed at around 4.7 seconds for the zero to 100 km/h sprint,
making it the fastest production Subaru ever tested. That’s faster than its iconic WRX.
The ride is generally quiet and smooth although the 20-inch wheels and lower profile
tyres in the Touring does add some rigidity.
The brake-regeneration system has four levels including the option of one-pedal
driving.
There are three drive modes: Normal, Power and Eco with a range of power bands
and energy efficiency. As is likely to be the case with most owners we spent the
majority of our test in Eco mode.
SUMMARY
It’s almost unheard of for a new vehicle to get such a range of enhancement so soon
after its original release. But that’s what happened with the Solterra between March
2024 and October 2025.
Starting with the significant price cuts the MY26 Solterra gets new styling, increased
power, extra driving range, faster charging and a tech upgrade.
While the same upgrades have been made to the NY26 Toyota bZ4X the comparative
pricing between the two rivals is now closer than before. So, well worth potential
buyers doing a comparison test.
RATINGS
Looks: 8/10
Performance: 7/10
Safety: 8.5/10
Thirst: 7/10
Practicality: 7/10
Comfort: 8/10
Tech: 8/10
Value: 7/10
AT A GLANCE
MODEL LINE-UP
Subaru Solterra AWD $63,990
Subaru Solterra AWD Touring $69,990
Note: these prices do not include government of dealer delivery charges. Contact
your Subaru local dealer for drive-away prices.
SPECIFICATIONS (Subaru Solterra Touring AWD EV five-door wagon)
POWERTRAIN
Battery: 74.7 lithium-ion
Front Motor: 167 kW / 268 Nm
Rear Motor: 88 kW / 160 Nm
Combined: 252 kW
Range: 566 km
DRIVELINE: Single-speed automatic, Symmetrical all-wheel drive
DIMENSIONS, WEIGHT, AND CAPACITIES
Length: 4690mm
Width: 1860mm
Height:1650mm
Wheelbase:2850mm
Turning circle: 11.2m
Kerb weight: 2046kg
BRAKES
Front: Ventilated disc
Rear: Ventilated disc
STANDARD WARRANTY
Five years / unlimited kilometres
Battery eight years / 160,000 kilometres
