Subaru launches its first electric with help from Toyota …
Finally, yes finally Subaru has an electric vehicle, the Solterra.
For an automaker whose long-term marketing mantra has been Love, Puppies, and Love of the Outdoors it would have made sense for Subaru to jump into both the hybrid and electric vehicle markets early on. It didn’t.
Still no hybrids, but Solterra now helps Subaru charge (sorry) into the EV category thanks to Subaru’s working relationship with Toyota. The two have collaborated on several projects now, including a sporty coupe, the BRZ/Toyota GR86, and this EV crossover.
Unlike the coupe co-mingling, Solterra is much more Subaru than Toyota in its feel and function.
First off, it comes standard with AWD, as do all Subarus, except that BRZ sportster.
This is good news as Solterra has the quick acceleration of an electric, but good grip and handling thanks to Subaru’s AWD system. Its Toyota cousin the awkwardly named bZ4X, comes as a front driver, but does offer Subaru’s AWD system for a bit over $2000.
Solterra is powered by two electric motors to drive both the front and rear wheels giving it 215 horsepower and 249 pound-feet of torque. So it out powers the FWD Toyota, which has but one electric motor standard, plus Solterra handles and rides much better.
Whereas the Toyota felt heavy and stiff, the Subaru seems solid yet nimble, just slightly heavy in turns. Yet it’s easy zipping through turns or down curving highway entry ramps. Solterra feels authoritative and comfortably well planted with its AWD’s grip.
I had expected a stiff ride too as the Toyota I’d driven a year ago was a bit on the harsh side. Not here, just smooth and well damped suspension for a comfy family vehicle ride.
Note that there are three regular drive modes available with a Sport mode that boosts initial acceleration although that’s pretty terrific in Normal and not bad in Eco. That plus engaging the one-pedal regenerative braking system helps extend the Subaru’s battery range as it helps recharge is as you drive, and brake.
Subaru also includes X-Mode for off-roading as it does on most of its vehicles. That includes a Snow/Dirt mode and a Deep Snow/Mud setting to provide better traction when road and off-road conditions get serious. This is better traction support than some crossover EVs. Note too that the Subaru offers 8.3 inches of ground clearance, just a pinch more than the bZ4X.
But Solterra is an EV, so range is among the bigger concerns. Like its Toyota cousin the Solterra has a shorter driving range than most competitors.
Rated at just 222 miles of range, up a bit from its first model year, Solterra is still shorter than one might hope.
Yet Subaru has upgraded the battery power (72.8 kWh) so the EV charges quicker than the 2023 models. On a Level 2 charger (240-volts) a full charge takes 11 hours, while on a Level 3 fast charger going from a 10% to 80% charge will take 35 minutes.
I plugged into my standard 110-volt socket in my garage and got a 22% charge increase overnight, the equivalent of about 60 miles. For most of us, that does it for a day’s drive as on average most folks commute less than 25 miles daily. For the record, the most charge mileage I saw was 201 miles, but I never quite got the Solterra to a 100% charge. My top-end was 94%.
As for dimensions, the Subaru is the same size as the Toyota version and they share some of the same interior design, for good and ill.
There’s the odd deep driver instrument panel design that carries over between the two. It’s different, and I say that as both a compliment and criticism. I applaud automakers trying different styling, but this is off-putting. The one plus is Subaru’s digital instrumentation is easier to read than Toyota’s.
I’d prefer all that be closer to the driver, although I didn’t find the odd somewhat rectangular steering wheel (yoke) blocking the instrument’s view as a standard wheel had in the Toyota. The yoke wasn’t hard to adapt to after a couple days, but a flat-bottom wheel would be easier still as that opens up legroom below while allowing for easier grip and control above.
The Harbor Mist Gray Pearl (blue-gray) test car (with black roof) featured a gray and black interior with black atop the dash and doors. Subaru’s StarTex fake leather trims the cloth seats for a nice two-tone look and front seats are powered and both heated and cooled. Subaru seats are supportive and comfortable too with the rear seats being heated and plenty of head and legroom.
Dash trim is gray cloth with gloss black around the big touchscreen and center stack, plus on the console’s top and door control panels.
Shifting is accomplished via a push-down console knob where a twist to the left puts the automatic transmission in Reverse, a twist to the right is for Drive. This is simpler, IMHO, than Ford and others’ rotary dials.
The stereo is fine and the touchscreen simple to use, but no volume knob. That’s best handled via a toggle on the steering wheel’s left hub panel.
Pluses include a wireless phone charger, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with a big solid panel panoramic sunroof overhead.
Standard safety equipment includes a blind-spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert, stability control, smart cruise, lane-tracing assist, emergency braking, along with safe exit and front cross-traffic alerts. Subaru’s EyeSight safety system also now allows the crossover to be driven hands free up to 25 mph. A self-parking function is available too for those unable to parallel park manually while using the back-up camera.
Speaking of the back-end. There’s generous cargo space there, plus a power hatch.
However, there’s one annoyance inside, a possible deal-breaker for those who hate extraneous warnings. Solterra chimes incessantly as the vehicle is in Reverse, sounding a lot like an unbuckled seatbelt warning. One, it’s confusing, and two it’s unnecessary for folks inside the car to know it is backing up. That beep would better be outside as electrics are so quiet that a warning helps a pedestrian avoid an accident.
The tested Solterra Touring is the top-level trim and lists at $53,340 including delivery. This one added the special paint job for $890 along with rubber floor mats and a cargo tray for $187 and $141, respectively. Out-the-door price hit $54,558.
Consider the Premium entry-level Solterra lists at $46,340 and the Limited model at $49,840. All Solterras are eligible for a $7,500 federal tax incentive, but only if the vehicle is leased, not purchased. That may change with the new federal administration coming into power in 2025, so stay tuned.
Otherwise, if you like the general shape and features here, but only need 2WD, consider the Toyota version that starts a couple grand less. Note there are various other EV crossovers now, including the Ford Mustang Mach-E, or the Hyundai Ioniq5 and similar Kia EV6, or Nissan’s elegant Ariya. Most offer more power and range, but not Love!
FAST STATS: 2024 Subaru Solterra Touring
Hits: Fast acceleration, good handling and ride, plus AWD. Faster charging than previous model, off-road drive modes, panoramic sunroof, big screen, heated/cooled supportive front seats, heated wheel, heated rear seats, power hatch, solid safety systems, wireless phone charger.
Misses: Range limited to 222 miles, moderate heavy feel in turns, odd dash with deep driver instrument pod, annoying backup chime sounds like seatbelt warning.
Made in: Aichi, Japan
Power: Dual electric motors, 215 hp/249 torque
Transmission: Automatic
Weight: 4,486 lbs.
Wheelbase: 112.2 in.
Length: 184.6 in.
Cargo: 27.7-63.5 cu.ft.
MPGe: 111/93
Range: 222 mi/201 observed
Base Price: $53,340 (includes delivery)
Invoice: $51,144
Major Options:
Harbor Mist Gray Pearl/Galactic Black roof paint, $890
Rubber floor liners, $187
Cargo tray, $141
Test vehicle: $54,558
Sources: Subaru, www.kbb.com
Photos: Mark Savage
Savage On Wheels 
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