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 accessible in restricted portions. 4 years later, Solterra will get an enormous refresh, and that – together with the model’s latest launch of two extra EVs – makes you assume Subaru is likely to be severe about this EV factor.
2026 Subaru Solterra: First Spin
The 2026 Subaru Solterra will get extra vary, extra energy, and a number of other modifications beneath the pores and skin that lastly make this an EV price 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 brand in favor of the spelled-out Subaru. On the within, you’ll see a brand new 14-inch infotainment display screen and twin wi-fi chargers.
These are the apparent modifications. The not-so-obvious modifications embrace an up to date 74.7 kWh battery that brings extra vary, allows 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 normal with a North American Charging Commonplace (NACS) port and a CCS adapter – so it opens up much more charging choices in case you’re taking a highway journey.
Sure, it goes off highway
The 2026 Solterra comes normal with Subaru’s Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive, and the X-Mode Twin Mod System that has grip management, downhill help, and driving modes for grime and deep snow, mud and snow.
Throughout 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 had been driving did effectively, managing the obstacles with ease. Whereas Solterra isn’t going to take you to the Rubicon Path, it’s going to get you to a campsite or trailhead with out issues.
When in X-Mode, an digicam view pops up at low speeds, and it provides you an excellent view of the terrain round you and in entrance of you. That is particularly useful in slim passes or when the nostril of the automotive is pointed on the sky and you may’t see the highway out of the windshield.
The way it did on highway
I appreciated 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 highway 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 an excellent chunk of the day within the driver’s or front-passenger seat, and I discovered the seats to be agency however comfortable 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 mentioned his driving place was significantly better on this 2026 Solterra, and the issue was resolved.
With its compact dimension, the Solterra is a type of autos that can do effectively in an city setting, being simple to park and becoming in tight areas. But it surely’s not so small that you simply sacrifice general journey 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 they usually 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 usually had good luck with Normal Motors wi-fi chargers. The ethical of the story: If you’re going to 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 important 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 a little bit sooner than that and nonetheless would possibly desire a gauge of what’s occurring round you.
A number of phrase in regards to the Toyota collaboration
Sure, the Subaru Solterra is in-built 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 price noting that in line with 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 mentioned that pricing on the base stage could be a minimal enhance. 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 12 months. 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 up to now in regards to the trim stroll:
Premium: Comes normal with 233 horsepower, energy rear liftgate, 14-inch infotainment display screen, 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 gear 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, accessible two-tone paint, accessible leather-based inside, and painted black exterior accents.
CG Says:
Whereas we appreciated the outdated Solterra, our major beef was with the vary. Having 227 miles simply isn’t sufficient to keep away from road-trip anxiousness. With the ability enhance, extra normal facilities, and the elevated vary, the 2026 Subaru Solterra lastly hits the mark. If you’re available in the market for a compact electrical SUV, that is now a must-test automobile.
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2026 Subaru Solterra Footage
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