2026 Subaru Solterra AWD Review: It’s now cheaper, faster and more efficient. This medium SUV has turned from pretender to contender
Since launching in Australia in March 2024 the Subaru Solterra medium electric SUV has been a bit player on the EV scene.
A very close relation of the Toyota bZ4X, the Solterra suffered from the same pricing and performance issues.
But commendably, like Toyota, Subaru hasn’t given up. Just as the bZ4X has been updated so has the Solterra.
So nowadays it’s cheaper and better performing and that surely makes it more worthy of your attention.
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2026 Subaru Solterra AWD price and equipment
The 2026 Subaru Solterra comes in two equipment grades, the $63,990 plus on-road costs dual motor AWD we are testing here and the $69,990 (plus ORCs) AWD Touring. The larger new Trailseeker (see below) – effectively the bZ4X’s twin – starts at 67,990.
Back when they launched in 2024 the AWD was $69,990 and the Touring $76,990.
While this pricing doesn’t get the Solterra into competition with entry-level medium SUV EVs, which start in the mid-$50K range.
Instead, with standard all-wheel drive, it aligns more on price with EVs such as the top-spec BYD Sealion 7 Performance and Kia EV5 Earth. It’s about $5000 cheaper than the Tesla Model Y Premium Long Range AWD.
In addition to the adjusted prices the 2026 Solterra bumps up its Li-ion battery size from 71.4kWh to 74.7kWh, helping to boost driving range (WLTP) from a claimed 414km to 566km for the AWD.
There’s a healthy power bump from 160kW to 252kW as well, while maximum torque climbs from 337Nm to 438Nm.
There’s also a better 1500kg towing capacity (up from 750kg) and faster 22kW AC charging speeds (up from 11kW). The DC fast charge rate remains unchanged at a modest but acceptable 150kW.
The new AWD upgrades to a larger 14-inch touchscreen, dual wireless smartphone chargers, acoustic glass, 64-colour ambient lighting, a heated steering wheel and a standard driver’s knee airbag, raising the total airbag count to eight.
There’s also a minor exterior redesign which does little to change the anodyne shape of the Solterra. Look, I know it’s a Toyota design, but really guys could this quite worthy vehicle be made to look a little less forgettable?
The upgrades, additions and changes comes on top of existing AWD standard features including 18-inch alloy wheels, roof rails, LED headlights, dual-zone climate control, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto wireless integration, AM/FM and digital radio and six-speaker audio.
Synthetic leather trim covers the seats, which are powered and heated up-front and heated outboard in the rear.
Safety tech includes lane-keep assist, adaptive cruise control that can be switched to passive (or regular cruise), traffic sign recognition, blind spot detection, rear-cross traffic alert, driver monitoring system and exit warning. A five-star ANCAP rating applies to the update and is based on 2025 protocols.
Compared to the Touring the AWD misses out on stuff like a 10-speaker Harman Kardon audio system, seat ventilation, vehicle to load charging and a sunroof. The Touring also upsizes to 20-inch alloy wheels.
No matter which Solterra you opt for you miss out on a spare tyre. This omission is becoming more common on Subarus sadly, although the company does offer an accessory option.
Both Solterras come with a five-year/unlimited km warranty, an eight-year/160,000km battery warranty and capped price servicing with intervals every 12 months/15,000km. Free roadside assistance has been cut to just 12 months from five years.
2026 Subaru Solterra AWD: What we think
You can look at Subaru’s tie-up with big Japanese brother Toyota in EVs a couple of ways.
Taking rebadged and mildly redesigned Toyotas as their own does dent an image painstakingly established through generations of idiosyncratic and individual vehicles.
But Subaru is so small and limited when it comes to resources at least it gets in on EVs more convincingly than if left to its own resources.
Thankfully, Toyota is showing every sign of committing to improving its so-far underwhelming EVs. And so Subaru benefits.
The bZ4X has gone from almost irrelevant to a genuine contender in the medium electric SUV segment and the Solterra benefits as well.
A sub-$60K starting point would certainly help boost Solterra relevance even more, but the incoming Uncharted will be the flag bearer there so room has to be left.
As it is the Solterra drives with impeccable security. It handles with the solidity expected of all-wheel drive traction, steers sharply and quickly (quicker than the bZ4X it feels like) and rides with comfort.
The added power and torque is appreciated. The Solterra really jumps with authority from a standing start and maintains a solid rate of response form there. Of course, it does it quietly too. Tyre roar is more obvious, but only marginally so.
It is also impressively efficient in its powertrain. Our worst average in a week of testing was 14.9kWh/100km, versus the 14.6kWh/100km claim. A 500km range between recharges, especially in town, is feasible.
New regenerative braking paddles add driver interaction to the experience and do actually provide a definable difference in retardation, without quite getting to full one-pedal.
The interior of the Solterra is another positive, providing generous rear seat space and facilities including storage and air-con vents.
Up-front the seats are generous if not especially supportive and the steering wheel adjusts for reach as well as height. You should find a driving position that works.
You’ll also appreciate the physical buttons for audio and air-conditioning and the larger screen which provides cleaner graphics.
So what’s not to like? Well, these will mostly sound familiar to bZ4X owners. Depending on your driving position, you can’t see the recessed instrument panel because it’s blocked by the steering wheel.
Also, there is no glovebox and the boot isn’t generous in size. There’s no frunk either.
And the interior colour combo could best be described as inoffensive. Drab is anothjer way of putting it.
When it comes to the driving downsides the Solterra lacks the steering feel (if not response) from its electric assist system of some other Subarus and it seems to ride with a sharper edge on the same size tyre as the bZ4X 2WD we tested earlier this year. Maybe it’s the Subaru’s added drivetrain weight?
In deference to Subaru’s off-roading roots, the Solterra comes with X-Mode off-road traction control including new Grip Control (off-road cruise control) and downhill assist control. But really, this is a gravel-roader not an off-roader, especially without a spare tyre!
2026 Subaru Solterra AWD: Verdict
The 2026 Subaru Solterra AWD is commendably improved and better priced compared to its predecessor. So well done for that!
It’s not the most evocative of Subarus – being a rebadged Toyota that’s no surprise.
But it is a safe and well executed EV with a lot of positives and only a few foibles.
If that sounds like what you need then put it on your consideration list.
SCORE: 3.75/5
2026 Subaru Solterra AWD price and specifications
Price: $63,990 plus on-road costs
Basics: EV , 5 seats, 5 doors, SUV, AWD
Range: 566km (WLTP)
Battery capacity: 74.7Wh Li-ion
Battery warranty: 8 years/160,000km
Energy consumption: 14.6kWh/100km (WLTP)
Motors: 1 front and 1 rear, 167kW/268Nm (front) and 88kW/169Nm (rear).
AC charging: 22kW, Type 2 plug
DC charging: 150kW, CCS combo plug
0-100km/h: N/A
