2023 Subaru Solterra | First Drive

For the latest Subaru Solterra pricing and information:

Besides minor styling differences inside and out, the Subaru Solterra only comes with dual-motor AWD…because Subaru. Meanwhile the Toyota bZ4X is also offered in cheaper single-motor FWD form. Elsewhere, the Solterra has slightly higher ground clearance of 8.3” versus the Toyota’s 8.1”, on the Subaru heated front seats come standard, there is a Subaru-exclusive “power mode” that alters accelerator responsiveness and unlike the standard 12.3” screen found in the bZ4X, the Solterra comes with an 8” screen on the base Premium. If you want that 12.3”-er, you’ll have to move to the Limited or Touring trims.

Range
228-miles – Premium
222-miles – Limited/Touring

72.8 kWh battery pack
215 HP, 249 lb-ft

Curb Weight: 4,365 lbs Premium Trim

One big distinction is these paddle shifters. Unlike its Toyota counterpart, the Solterra offers 4 different regenerative braking intensities rather than 2.

Unsurprisingly snappy acceleration rt. Though if your standards are based in Tesla, this won’t blow up your figurative skirt.

As for handling, the Solterra turns just fine. It’s not particularly fun to steer. Like the bZ4X, the Solterra offers predictable, comfortable road manners.

Even with various regenerative brake intensities, the Solterra doesn’t offer a one-pedal drive mode as is common among many electric cars…meaning you’ll have to use the brake pedal. That pedal doesn’t feel perfectly natural but close enough that as an owner you’ll get used to it.

Down the road, we’ll examine the Solterra in a deeper way but I will VERY quickly note that while I’m not in love with the Solterra’s style, to my eyes, it does look better than its Toyota bZ4X kin, the back seats are super roomy, the infotainment interface is easy enough to use but I wish it included a volume knob, as in the bZ4X the steering wheel perfectly blocks the gauge cluster display when adjusted to my preferred position, cargo space is a practical 27.7 cu-ft, and the roof rails can accommodate a dynamic load of 176 lbs and a static load of 700 lbs. You know what that means Subaru fans, time to price rooftop tents.

While the competitors like the Kia EV6 & Hyundai IONIQ 5 can charge from 10% to 80% charge in 18 minutes using a 350-kW DC Fast Charger, the Subaru Solterra maxes out at 100 kW charging speeds, resulting in a much slower 10-80% charge time of about an hour.

Lastly, let’s talk price. A base Solterra premium trim costs $44,995 plus $1,225 in destination charges. That price buys you a decently equipped electric car but it’s a grand more than a base Toyota bZ4X AWD, which again, comes with the 12.3” screen standard. That sounds bad for the Subit but unlike Toyota, which is about to exhaust its allotment of federal tax incentives, the Subaru Solterra will be eligible for the US government’s $7,500 tax incentive for a long time to come. So, assuming you can exploit that tax incentive, the Solterra could be the smarter buy.

Copy-pasting from every other small electric SUV review I’ve done recently, the Solterra’s competitive set includes the Ford Mustang Mach-E, Kia EV6, Hyundai IONIQ 5, Tesla Model Y, Nissan Ariya, and the Toyota bZ4X.

But in the Venn diagram of automotive desires, Subaru fans who want an electric car really want a Subaru, right? And if what you want is an electric Subaru, this is the only game in town.

00:00 2023 Subaru Solterra
0:40 Details
1:23 Range
1:43 Driving Impressions
3:05 Off-Road Driving Impressions
6:50 Competitors

[solomonshaffer]

Drove one today...it's unremarkable. Comfortable interior button no way compares to a Model Y. Worlds of difference!

[gregvogel]

At 228 mile range and 1 hour charge time, it doesn't make for a very practical off-roading car. As someone who enjoys driving on forest roads to remote hiking and camping spots out of Seattle, I really need a range closer to 300 miles, or the ability to recharge before heading into the mountains or just out of the mountains at a much faster rate like the EV6 or model Y. This would work great for everyday driving around town, but I just can't see myself practically taking this car on my adventures.

[lowlanz]

0:28 Exterior-wise, the only difference I see is the front grille. Rest is the exact same. That seems a bit lazy. I guess they just wanted to re-badge BZ4X for the tax incentives.

[sdkzzang]

Damn... the fact that you need to wait 3 times longer in order to charge up to 80% is just unacceptable for me.

[patrick]

I will probably wait for a couple years before getting any sort of EV. Battery technology is making huge strides in such a short period of time. In the next year or so I believe 400 miles per charge will be standard with the short recharging time. Some EV’s like Kia are doing pretty good.

[tomdrummy]

Would be good looking vehicle without the black mess around wheel wells

[klaus]

The rudimentary offroad trail performance is decent and where I live in Bavaria is useful/ The 8.3' ground clearance can be enhanced by taller all terrain tires. This is a interesting choice ever the Tesla, Ford, Hyundai and KIA. Some of need this kind of utility. No way a Ioniq5 or Model Y can reach my cabin due to clearance. I'm interested!

[MoMoPuppy]

My local dealership has like 8 available and they reduced the price to 33K for the premium model. is it a good deal?

[FLJAMESFL]

I feel like this is how Toyota represents being a reliable electric car. One that you can drive past the 10 year battery warranty..

[mjhowson]

Subarus are very popular in New England and other cold climates. I owned one as my winter car and it was a tank in the snow. It never left me stranded, even in the worst of snow storms. What sort of real world range will the Soltera get in 10 degree weather? $45k is a lot of coin for something with limited range and slow charge speeds. This might make a good second car in a two car family. I’d recommend buyers lease one. The battery and charging tech are already behind the competition. Maybe Gen 2 will be more competitive.

[josephpanozzo]

It’s not bad looking except for the unpainted fenders. I want to like electric cars, but real world range and long charging times have to improve to justify their high prices.

[vanessaskerhut]

What is the range when it is carrying something not aerodynamic, a pair of bikes? I can feel my tank empty with just the outback bars pulled out. Does the backseat fold fully down flat or angled like the outback?

[damilolaakanni]

228 miles. For Subaru's first attempt at an EV, not bad. And still pretty practical (no front trunk though). More can be done though, in terms of range and fast charging especially.

[jeffreywong]

Agree 100%! This looks a lot better than the Toyota BZ4x.

[robertgauntt]

I live in the bay area. Subaru and Toyota are testing some serious de badged evs here. Wouldn't be surprised if this is a test market car to feel things out. Looking forward to real car companies with tested track records putting some competition to Tesla.

[kiwan]

It's like a Sony Walkman in 2022.

[chrisw]

I think I could have driven that "dirt road" in a Tercel.... Curious to know if the Toyota EV's are as limited in AWD capability as their hybrid offerings.

[googleit]

"Well make this first drive video a quick one"
*looks at video length
Idk, this seems longer than a lot of your full review videos

[elijahjenkins]

Wish they could still look like Normal cars. They weren’t the worst looking but I’m not in love. Tho the fender flares where a good touch

[naveenthemachine]

The Koreans absolutely stomp on this in every way possible

Lack of Ground clearance and predicted longer term battery life are a minor knock here