When the Subaru Solterra was launched in 2022, you bought the impression that Subaru was pushing out its first EV beneath duress. Produced in collaboration with Toyota, it solely had 227 miles of vary, and it was obtainable in restricted portions. 4 years later, Solterra will get a large refresh, and that – together with the model’s current launch of two extra EVs – makes you suppose Subaru is likely to be critical about this EV factor.
2026 Subaru Solterra: First Spin
The 2026 Subaru Solterra will get extra vary, extra energy, and several other adjustments beneath the pores and skin that lastly make this an EV value contemplating.
What’s new on the 2026 Subaru Solterra
In some methods, the higher query is what’s not new. The exterior design isn’t drastically totally different, however you do see a brand new entrance fascia, new headlights and a brand new light-up Subaru badge on the nostril. The again ditches the emblem in favor of the spelled-out Subaru. On the within, you’ll see a brand new 14-inch infotainment display and twin wi-fi chargers.
These are the plain adjustments. The not-so-obvious adjustments embody an up to date 74.7 kWh battery that brings extra vary, permits preconditioning (which helps with cold-weather charging), and can cost from 10% to 80% in half-hour. You’ll now see as much as 288 miles of electrical vary in Premium trim and as much as 278 miles of vary within the Restricted, Restricted XT and Touring XT trim ranges. Solterra additionally will get an influence enhance with 233 horsepower in non-XT trims and 338 horsepower within the XTs.
The opposite large change: The 2026 Subaru Solterra comes customary with a North American Charging Customary (NACS) port and a CCS adapter – so it opens up much more charging choices in case you’re taking a street journey.
Sure, it goes off street
The 2026 Solterra comes customary with Subaru’s Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive, and the X-Mode Twin Mod System that has grip management, downhill help, and driving modes for dust and deep snow, mud and snow.
In the course of the media preview, we had the chance to take it on a light off-road course with moguls, steep declines, and uneven terrain. With 8.3 inches of floor clearance the Solterra Touring XT we have been driving did effectively, managing the obstacles with ease. Whereas Solterra isn’t going to take you to the Rubicon Path, it can get you to a campsite or trailhead with out issues.
When in X-Mode, an digicam view pops up at low speeds, and it offers you a very good view of the terrain round you and in entrance of you. That is particularly useful in slender passes or when the nostril of the automotive is pointed on the sky and you’ll’t see the street out of the windshield.
The way it did on street
I preferred the unique Subaru Solterra, and this new iteration helps it stage up. With a sound-insulating windshield and entrance door glass, recontoured facet mirrors, reduced-noise axles, and extra insulation, the cabin is quiet on most street surfaces. We solely drove the Touring XT trim stage on the preview, however with 338 horsepower the Solterra was enjoyable to drive on winding roads and when passing on the freeway.
I discovered it to be a snug cruiser as effectively. I spent a very good chunk of the day within the driver’s or front-passenger seat, and I discovered the seats to be agency however soft and didn’t stroll away stiff.
A grievance within the earlier model of the Solterra from taller drivers was that the highest of the steering wheel would bisect the digital gauge cluster. As a petite driver I by no means had that drawback, so I requested somebody who was 6’3’’. He stated his driving place was significantly better on this 2026 Solterra, and the issue was resolved.
With its compact measurement, the Solterra is a kind of automobiles that can do effectively in an city surroundings, being straightforward to park and becoming in tight areas. Nevertheless it’s not so small that you just sacrifice general experience and dealing with.
A few ache factors
The brand new Solterra is a wonderful automobile, however there are a pair issues I might change if I may. First up, whereas the usual twin wi-fi chargers are cool and so they maintain your telephone in place effectively, they do are likely to warmth up your telephone. I examined it with and with out my case to the identical impact, charging was placed on maintain as a result of my telephone was overheating. Lest you say that is due to inductive charging and all wi-fi chargers overheat your telephone, I’ll say I’ve typically had good luck with Common Motors wi-fi chargers. The ethical of the story: If you will be within the automotive for greater than an hour and truly must cost your telephone, convey a twine.
The opposite factor I might change is the off-road digicam that pops up when in X-Mode. It’s an ideal digicam with high-definition high quality, nevertheless it solely stays on as much as about 8 mph. Whereas I perceive that is meant for low-speed maneuvers, there are occasions you’re going slightly quicker than that and nonetheless would possibly need a gauge of what’s occurring round you.
Just a few phrase concerning the Toyota collaboration
Sure, the Subaru Solterra is inbuilt collaboration with Toyota. It’s the sibling to the Toyota bZ small electrical crossover. Subaru and Toyota went 50/50 on design, growth, and engineering. Toyota does the manufacturing. It’s additionally value noting that based on one of many Subaru executives available on the preview, the bZ makes use of Subaru’s Symmetrical AWD, even when Toyota doesn’t name it that. Each the Solterra and bZ are constructed at a Toyota plant in Japan.
So, what’s it gonna value?
Sadly, pricing hasn’t been introduced on the time of this writing. The 2026 Solterra received’t hit the streets till November, and pricing received’t be launched till nearer to launch. Nevertheless, Subaru stated that pricing on the base stage can be a minimal improve. The bottom 2025 Premium trim begins at $40,390, so we anticipate the 2026 Premium will begin round $41,000.
Talking of the Solterra lineup, it will get a little bit of a shakeup for this mannequin yr. Beforehand, you had the Premium, Restricted, Touring, and Touring Onyx Version. Now you’ll have the Premium, Restricted, Restricted XT, and Touring XT.
Trim Ranges
That is what we all know to this point concerning the trim stroll:
Premium: Comes customary with 233 horsepower, energy rear liftgate, 14-inch infotainment display, artificial leather-based seats, 18-inch alloy wheels, ambient lighting, headlight washers, and twin wi-fi telephone chargers.
Restricted: Provides kick activated liftgate, Harman Kardon audio system, 20-inch alloy wheels, 120V outlet, energy passenger seat, heated steering wheel, heated rear seats, and a multi-terrain monitor.
Restricted XT: Will get all of the tools from the Restricted plus the 338-horsepower powertrain with a claimed 0-to-60-mph time of 4.9 seconds.
Touring XT: Provides a panoramic glass roof, ventilated entrance seats, digital rearview mirror, radiant leg heaters, obtainable two-tone paint, obtainable leather-based inside, and painted black exterior accents.
CG Says:
Whereas we preferred the previous Solterra, our main beef was with the vary. Having 227 miles simply isn’t sufficient to keep away from road-trip nervousness. With the facility enhance, extra customary facilities, and the elevated vary, the 2026 Subaru Solterra lastly hits the mark. If you’re out there for a compact electrical SUV, that is now a must-test automobile.
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2026 Subaru Solterra Photos
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