2023 Subaru Solterra Electric Crossover Review and Off-Road Test

We get behind the wheel of the 2023 Subaru Solterra, their first Battery Electric Crossover! The Solterra comes standard with dual motors, 220+ miles of range and Subaru's X-Mode off-road traction system for mud and snow.

April 25 update: PRICING! Starting MSRP of $46,220, top-end Touring model goes for $53,220 (prices include destination and delivery.) Vehicle eligible for up to $7,500 federal tax credit

#Subaru #Solterra #electriccar

CONTENTS
00:00 - Introduction
00:31 - Features
12:52 - Driving Impressions
18:17 - Dirt Road and Trail Driving
20:28 - Off-Road Donut, X-Mode and Crawl Control Tests
24:15 - Class Comparisons and Conclusions

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[andyisyoda]

The most leg to torso proportionate reviewer in the world! Great job.

[rightlanehog]

Ryan, You get full marks for dutifully advising people who want to fully utilize the off-road capability to avoid the low profile tires. Let's see how many listen😉

[reikasdad]

"can this do a donut?", and "sleeping" in the trunk/hatch. LOVE IT !!!! This is why I love watching your reviews. You really do drive these cars and as a viewer, it is obvious that you love what you do, which helps make your reviews that much more relatable and realistic

[greeboart]

Its interesting that all of these EV reviews compare the car to other EVs. As a current Subaru owner looking for the EV to transition to I would like a Solterra vs Outback/Forrester review.

[nickch_]

There’s a lot to like with this Subaru EV but it feels like it’s about 80 miles or range short of being one of the best EVs available

[DNGR]

Excellent review! You could be my driving instructor- soo clear. Unbiased and not unimpressed like every other reviewer ever. THANK YOU!! Also Arizona sick choice!!!

[RogerGarbow]

Great video, Ryan (as usual). As my wife is seriously considering one (once order banks open back up) this is the info we need. Be nice if they made the bigger wheels an option vs standard on the two upper models. No way in hell we're going to run 20" tires.

[javidam]

Great video and as usual this is the first place I visit for off-road and actual driving experience of new cars especially the Subarus. Good detail and knowledge sharing. Thx.

[miguelojera]

This could be the most off-road capable modern Subaru in the range since it isn't hampered by a CVT. A comparison with the Wilderness trim of the Outback and Forester would be interesting.

[callmej]

Gotta respect a car review where there is a “Suh-weet!”. Another excellent review and comparison there guys.

[bradcomis]

Looks pretty good. Just needs a 2" lift and some KO2s on 17s. We'll what the aftermarket offers!

[lrpreville]

Thanks for this video. Looks good, great AWD capabilities. Sure will be performing here (Quebec region) in the snow/ice during winter, potholes in the spring and country roads to the cottage. Took note on 18” wheel, at least for the winter season and off-roading as a separate set of wheels.

[Angie-xhke]

I love Subaru ! My 2006 Subaru Forester has never let me down !! 💯💯

[fynthemtns]

Dig it! Great review as always. Excited to see the aftermarket/offroad gear for this. Hopefully down the line they'll come out with a long-range, 300+ mile version which would give people like me that would love for this to be my daily/adventure vehicle more confidence.

[slandshark]

I'm a huge subaru fan and very happy to see Subaru dip their toes into the BEV market, but I gotta be honest.. I don't think this is going to sell well. I don't think it stands out in the current BEV/EV market. It's not really subaru styling, no more boxer engine/rumble, it doesn't seem to do any single thing better (cargo space, seating capacity), not even better EV range than the competition.

A solid EV for sure, but seems kind of 'middle of the road' in terms of what it is. That said, I hope Subaru brings more EV/PHEV/Hybrid options to their lineup. In fact, I'd LOVE to have a PHEV or traditional hybrid for something like the Ascent or maybe the Outback (the true family haulers of the subaru lineup).

[SenorGato]

Mark, you and Alex are the only reveiwers on the platform that really grok Subarus. I guess RCR as well. So many reviews boil down to "It isn't a Wrangler, so it's garbage" that it's nice to see the insights into where Subarus do fit into the market, and into lifestyles.

Also, oh god, so much piano black.

[Jcewazhere]

I never thought I'd get an automatic car unless forced to, but once I tried the one pedal driving in my Bolt I won't go back. It's awesome.
My first two cars were old manual transmission Subarus and I loved em. I also love my new Bolt.

This Solterra seems too big for me. I went from a 2door GL to an Impreza wagon which felt was a bit big. Then the Bolt which is taller, but about the same length as the Impreza. The Solterra is longer and wider than the Bolt.
I do occasionally miss 4/AWD, especially the part time 4WD from the GL, however the Bolt has been surprisingly good in the snow since I put decent tires on it.

Specs wise the Solterra doesn't seem all that much better. A few more HP, but less EPA range. That lower range is greatly offset by much faster DCFC.
Having slightly worse 0-60, being slightly heavier, and quite a bit bigger I doubt it will be as fun to drive on road. Having off road capability offsets that though.

[georgehudetz]

Looks great. Hopefully they come out with a long-range version - with faster charging - soon.

[megaroeny]

Subaru's numbers are very conservative for range. They also gave it slower charging rates to minimize battery degradation.

[pendulumdistinction]

Great review. You have a new subscriber.