2024 Subaru Solterra review: Can this electric SUV tackle the Tesla Model Y with some bush bashing nous?

March 10, 2024March 14, 2024 Toby Hagon 3070 Views solterra, Subaru, Subaru Solterra

Subarus are known for being a little bit adventurous – except this one’s an EV.

In fact the Subaru Solterra is the Japanese brand’s first electric vehicle.

While it wears a Subaru badge, it’s more Toyota underneath; the Solterra is a twin of the Toyota bZ4X.

As well a different grille the Solterra has one other big point of difference from the bZ4X: it’s only available as a dual-motor all-wheel drive, whereas many rivals (including the bZ4X) also offer two-wheel drive versions.

The five-seat mid-sized SUV has the segment-dominating Tesla Model Y vaguely in its crosshairs, although it could also provide an EV tempter against petrol-powered fare – including the Subaru Forester.

2024 Subaru Solterra price and equipment

The Subaru Solterra is priced from $69,990 plus on-road costs for the entry-level model known simply as AWD, or all-wheel drive.

It gets 18-inch alloys, power adjustable front seats, heated outboard seats, a heated steering wheel, a digital rear vision mirror, a powered tailgate, auto braking, a 360-degree camera, rear cross traffic alert and blind spot warning.

There’s also a 7.0-inch digital instrument cluster and a 12.3-inch central infotainment screen incorporating wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

As the name suggests, it also features all-wheel drive courtesy of two electric motors, something that gives it an edge against many entry-level electric SUVs.

There’s also a Touring ($76,990) that adds 20-inch wheels, fake leather, memory settings for the driver’s seat, panoramic sunroof and a punchier Harman Kardon sound system.

There are some key differences with the near-identical Toyota: the Solterra does without remote connectivity that allows for over-the-air software updates. But it does include free servicing for the first five years and 75,000km.

2024 Subaru Solterra: What we think

The Subaru Solterra may be an EV and have more DNA from Toyota, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t do the sorts of things Subaru owners expect.

That starts with venturing beyond the bitumen.

The Solterra gets Subaru’s familiar X-Mode traction control system that tailors the electronics for varying terrains, such as mud and snow.

Along with 212mm of ground clearance it makes for an EV that doesn’t mind getting its tyres dirty.

Sure, it doesn’t have the wheel articulation or bush-bashing protection of a genuine off-roader, but it’s more capable than a Tesla.

And if you option the soon-to-arrive full-sized spare wheel (which either takes up a massive chunk of the boot or a mount on the tow bar) then you really can get a tad adventurous – provide you can find somewhere to charge the battery pack.

On the road the Solterra delivers on comfort. It’s cosseting over lumps, especially on rougher sections. And it’s respectably quiet.

It helps that the body is nicely controlled, reducing unwanted side-to-side head movement.

The steering is less endearing with a bland mushiness, although at least it’s predictable.

And the combined 160kW and 337Nm isn’t about to set any benchmarks in the EV realm but will be more than sufficient for anyone stepping out of a Forester.

Like all EVs, the electric drivetrain is also responsive and smooth.

Subaru cheekily only claims an NEDC range figure for the Solterra, which we won’t bother publishing because the government test is ludicrously out of touch with what you’ll get in the real world.

The more relevant WLTP figure is nowhere to be seen, but wearing a Toyota badge the same car (they drive identically) has 411km of range. Think something like 360km in the real world.

That’s nothing special from a 71.4kWh battery, but like the rest of the car it’s not bad either.

Charging can be done at up to 150kW at a DC outlet for a 0-80 percent charge in about half an hour.

A home wallbox takes as little as seven hours for a full charge if utilising the full 11kW capacity. For a more common 7.4kW wallbox it’ll take about 10.5 hours.

2024 Subaru Solterra: Verdict

The Subaru Solterra is loveably inoffensive and even tries to do Subaru-ey things like going off-road.

That it only comes as an all-wheel drive adds to its appeal, but that also adds to its chunky price tag.

Yep, it’s not cheap and lags the impossible-to-ignore Model Y in key areas, including space, value and range.

Still, for those looking for some EV love with a familiar Subaru badge – and lashings of Toyota elsewhere – the Solterra ticks the boxes.

Score: 3/5

2024 Subaru Solterra specifications:

Price: From $69,990 plus on-roads

Basics: EV, 5 seats, 5 doors, SUV, AWD

Range: About 411km (WLTP)

Battery capacity: 71.4kWh

Battery warranty: 8 years/160,000km