Subaru Solterra review

The Subaru Solterra electric SUV is a great example of two brands joining forces to design and build a new model together. Teamwork is good for car manufacturers because they can share costs – and benefits car buyers because they get more choice.

If you think you’ve seen the Solterra elsewhere, that’s because it’s a near twin to the Toyota bZ4X. However, while the two cars share underpinnings, interior and battery tech, one area of expertise Subaru brought to the table is its X-mode four-wheel-drive system. And while four-wheel drive is an option on the bZ4X, it's fitted to the Solterra as standard to give it a greater off-road focus.

Likewise, without Toyota’s extensive knowledge of batteries (from all the hybrid cars it's built over the years), neither company could have entered the growing electric SUV market. And we mean growing. The Solterra joins the Audi Q4 e-tron, the Ford Mustang Mach-E, the Hyundai Ioniq 5, the Kia EV6, the Nissan Ariya, the Skoda Enyaq iV, the Tesla Model Y and the VW ID 4 in this relatively new class.

So, is the Subaru Solterra – which is available in two trim levels and one battery size – a shining example of two car makers working together to produce a great electric car? We’ll answer that question in this review, along with how far it can go on a full charge, how long it takes to charge up once it's done so, what the performance is like and more.

Once you've decided which car to buy, remember we can help you get it for the lowest price if you use our free New Car Buying pages. They list loads of the best new electric car deals.

To show it’s no understudy, the Subaru Solterra forgoes the entry-level 198bhp front-wheel-drive option offered on the bZ4X and is available only in more potent four-wheel-drive form. It has one electric motor for the front wheels and a second for the rears.

The two motors combine to deliver a total output of 215bhp, for a fairly swift 0-62mph time of 6.9 seconds. That’s on a par with the Enyaq 80X, but trails the four-wheel-drive versions of the Ioniq 5 and the EV6. However, the rivals (except the similarly equipped bZ4X) beat its official range, with 289-mile from its 71.4kWh (usable) battery capacity on entry-level Limited trim. Higher-spec Touring dips to 257 miles, chiefly because of its larger 20in wheels.

The instant power delivery of an electric car means the Solterra will still beat most petrol or diesel cars away from the lights, giving you the confidence to go for gaps in traffic and when joining the motorway. The added traction benefits of four-wheel drive when setting off in slippery conditions is a boon during extreme weather conditions too.

You’ll find similar reassurance in the fact that the car doesn’t lean over too much in the bends, even in tighter corners. It has the edge over many electric SUVs including the ID 4, but the lower-riding EV6 is more entertaining. Grip levels are respectable, and the naturally weighted steering is accurate.

The ride on the 20in wheels that come with top-spec Touring trim feels little different over bumps to the bZ4X's, despite some suspension alterations. It's compliant at speed, but we suspect that the smaller 18in wheels on entry-level Limited models will give a more supple ride over potholes. That said, even on the bigger wheels, it's a softer ride than in the Model Y.

Road noise is reasonably low and on a par with the Ariya, but there's a bit of suspension noise and more wind noise than we'd like around the chunky door mirrors. We have no complaints about the way the brakes feel though. The progressive response from the pedal makes it easy to judge how much pressure to apply to slow down smoothly.

Subaru stayed true to its roots by giving its first electric SUV proper off-road capability, with an X-Mode terrain control system fitted as standard for extra traction on tough terrain. You can select different drive modes to deal with deep snow, mud and other obstacles. It works well, with traction remaining strong over steep, loose surfaces. However, while ground clearance is better than most electric SUV rivals, it’s still rather limited compared with higher-riding petrol-powered SUVs.

Driving overview

Strengths Useful off-road capability; good ride comfort; plenty of everyday performance; smooth brakes

Weaknesses Some suspension and wind noise; battery range could be better

Inside the Subaru Solterra you’ll find an elevated SUV driving position that gives you a great view over most road users. It's more akin to the height of the ID 4 than the lower-riding EV6. 

Like the closely related bZ4X, there’s a good view out to the front and sides, but it has some chunky rear pillars that restrict your rearwards view. It’s just as well you get a 360-degree camera system, and front and rear parking sensors as standard to help you slot the car into a multi-storey bay.

Every Solterra gets standard electric driver’s seat adjustment like its rival the Model Y, so finding a comfortable driving position is easy. Some drivers might find that the steering wheel partially blocks their view of the digital instrument panel behind it though.

You shouldn’t have any trouble seeing the large 12.3in infotainment screen. The touchscreen is reasonably swift to respond, but its menu layout isn’t as easy to navigate as the EV6's.

You get Android Auto and wireless Apple CarPlay smartphone mirroring so you can use your own apps on the screen. Top-spec Touring also gets wireless phone-charging and an upgraded Harman Kardon sound system with eight speakers (rather than six).

The dashboard has some upmarket materials, including soft-touch plastic on the insides of the doors, fabric inserts on the dashboard and gloss black across large swathes of the centre console. On the minus side, there are hard plastics on the lower half of the dash and low-rent door pulls. On balance, the EV6 and Enyaq iV feel more upmarket inside.

Interior overview

Strengths Easy to use interior; sound driving position

Weaknesses Not as plush as similarly priced premium rivals

The Subaru Solterra is similar in size to a large SUV so there's plenty of room inside for the driver and up to four passengers. Two six-footers get ample space in the front, even with the panoramic sunroof you get on Touring trim.

Storage areas include a large cubby under the centre armrest, a lidded tray for your phone behind the gear selector, an open tray below the 'floating' centre console and door bins each capable of holding two large bottles of drink. Unusually, as with the bZ4X, there's no glovebox.

A pair of six-footers will find plenty of leg space in the back of the Solterra (the same can be said of the Ioniq 5 and the EV6). Headroom isn't so great, and if you're more than six feet tall, you might find that your head touches the roof. Mind you, the flat floor and broad interior mean it's not too much of a squeeze for three adults sitting in the back. You can adjust the angle of the seatbacks – a handy feature that's also offered in the EV6 and the Enyaq .

The boot has 452 litres of capacity – plenty for bulky pushchairs and a week's shopping – and is a useful square shape. If you need to lug around an even bigger load, you can fold down the 60/40 split rear seatbacks. They don't lie completely flat, but sit at a gentle angle that shouldn't cause inconvenience. You get underfloor storage for the charging cables, but not a storage area under the bonnet (which you do get in the Ioniq 5 and EV6).

Practicality overview

Strengths Plenty of leg room all round

Weaknesses Rivals have an even bigger boot and more versatile rear seats; slightly less rear head room than rivals; no glove compartment

Pricing for the entry-level Limited trim Subaru Solterra is competitive with other four-wheel-drive electric SUVs, although the equivalent Ioniq 5 costs less. Unlike with all the rivals, there's no two-wheel-drive version, so there are plenty of less expensive options in the class.

The Solterra has strong predicted residual values, which should help make monthly finance payments competitive, but Subaru is less likely to offer attractive incentives.

Entry-level Limited trim is well equipped, with dual-zone climate control, sat-nav, heated front and rear seats, a heated steering wheel, a powered tailgate and keyless entry. Top-of-the-range Touring has 20in wheels, a panoramic roof, a full leather interior and memory settings for the driver’s seat and mirrors.

The Solterra’s maximum charging speed of 150kW is faster than the Enyaq and ID 4 can manage but a lot slower than the EV6 and the Model Y. In ideal conditions from a fast enough CCS charging point, a 10-80% charge will take just over half an hour. A full 0-100% charge from a 7kW home wallbox will take just under 13 hours.

You get plenty of safety tech, including automatic emergency braking (AEB), lane-keeping assistance and blind-spot monitoring fitted across the range. The Solterra is given the same five star rating by Euro NCAP as the closely related bZ4X.

Subaru gets marked down for its three-year manufacturer warranty and eight-year cover for the main battery because Hyundai offers five years, Kia gives you seven, and the bZ4X has up to 10 years of cover for the car and battery.

In terms of reliability, Subaru finished a fairly good 14th place out of 32 brands in the 2022 What Car? Reliability Survey. That's one place below Skoda and comfortably ahead of Volkswagen, but Toyota, Hyundai and Kia were all much closer to the top spot.

For all the latest reviews, advice and new car deals, sign up to the What Car? newsletter here

Costs overview

Strengths Well equipped

Weaknesses Absence of cheaper entry-level version; plenty of faster-charging rivals; warranty isn’t as long as bZ4X’s