There’s a lot working against EVs in the United States these days thanks to a government that would rather invest in fossil fuels than renewable energy and tariffs that are making costly technology even more so. Add to that the constant barrage from luddites on social media who think that a vehicle powered by anything other than a V8 is an affront to the true world order, and it’s no wonder the growth of EV sales has slowed over the past 12 months (though they’re still up about 10% over 2024).
Look, I like performance oriented, dino-juice powered cars as much as anyone – as evidenced by my praise and lust for the cars like the Subaru WRX tS, Mustang GT500, and BMW X5 M60i among others – but in a world where every disagreement seems to end with “my way or the highway,” I’d argue the road is plenty big enough for all forms of propulsion. Especially when manufacturers are making rapid gains in performance, efficiency, and reduced charge times, all while public charging is becoming more available by the day.
A case in point, the 2026 Subaru Solterra. First introduced in 2022 as a 2023 model and jointly developed with Toyota, Solterra wasn’t a great EV. It’s range was limited. The charging architecture was slow. The performance was meh. And, the quirky instrumentation made finding a comfortable driving position for someone my height (6′ 3″) pretty much impossible.
For 2026, Subaru has taken those and other criticisms to heart while significantly updating Solterra. All models feature a dual motor, all-wheel drive configuration, but now there are two powertrain options available. The standard Solterra uses two 87kW motors that put out a total of 237 horsepower, up from 215 which is surprisingly noticeable. If you step up to a Solterra XT, you get a 167kW front motor for a total of 338 horsepower which will get you from 0-60 in 4.5 seconds, quick enough to scare a VW Golf R. In addition to a choice of powertrains, Solterra is available in three trim levels, Premium, Limited, and Touring.
Better Range. Faster Charging.
The battery is only slightly larger, going from 72.8 to 74.7 kWh. Range, however, jumps significantly from a disappointing 228 miles in the first generation car to a respectable 288 miles in Premium trim and 278 miles for the much more powerful XT. Those gains came mostly from a number of efficiency enhancements including streamlined aerodynamics, lower friction bearings, and of course improved motors. That puts Solterra’s range solidly in the ballpark with competitors that include the Hyundai Ioniq 5 AWD (290 miles), VW ID.4 AWD (263 miles), and Chevrolet Equinox EV (307 miles). In addition, charge time has been reduced for 10-80% charging to under 35 minutes, down from 56 thanks to its ability to charge at speeds of up to 150 kW and improved battery preconditioning. It features a NACS charger and provides access to the Tesla Supercharger network via the SubaruConnect App.
Well Behaved On Road and Off
No one is buying a Solterra expecting sportscar-like dynamics. It’s an electric SUV that’s made to be practical, efficient, quiet, and comfortable. That having been said, its dynamics are proper. With a low center of gravity and 50/50 weight distribution, Solterra’s handling is balanced, confident, and predictable. Subaru updated the all-wheel drive system to predict the load applied to the front and rear tires and optimize power distribution and suspension response to reduce roll and sway, giving a better sense of control and a smoother ride. Solterra leans slightly toward understeer on pavement, but push it a bit on loose gravel as we did on the unpaved portion of our drive, and you can hang the tail out a bit in an easily controlled power slide. As we noted, acceleration from a stop is improved in both the base and XT models, and it’ll accelerate from 50-70 miles per hour in a shade under 3 seconds making passing a drama free event.
While we wouldn’t suggest tackling the trails in Moab with Solterra, we did traverse some severely rutted trails and as you would expect from a Subaru, this AWD EV acquitted itself quite well. Consistent with the brand, Solterra offers class-leading 8.3-inches of ground clearance with reasonable approach and departure angles. All models are equipped with X-MODE Dual-Mode System with snow/dirt and deep snow/mud modes and downhill assist control that make it easy to control the car in low grip situations. Activating the system is intuitive and once you’re familiar with the controls, they’re easy to use without taking your eyes off the trail.
Upgrades Inside
The first thing you notice when you open the driver’s door is the leather-wrapped, square steering wheel which allows you to see the digital instrument cluster without having to drop the column to its lowest position. The screen is designed to reduce glare and the contrast makes the gauges easy to read. Subaru has also upgraded the infotainment system with a 14-inch horizontal touch screen that includes wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. You get to USB-C chargers up front plus dual wireless charge pads, so if your device runs out of juice, that’s on you.
The heated seats offer plenty of support and comfort and thanks to the lack of a driveshaft tunnel, there’s plenty of leg room both front and rear. If you opt for the Limited model, in addition to being heated, both the driver and passenger seats are power adjustable and the steering wheel is heated. Moving the Touring edition, gets you heated and ventilated seats, a panoramic moon roof with a power shade, and radiant leg heaters for the driver and passenger, which are really useful on chilly mornings.
Styling That Only An Owner Can Love
Solterra isn’t the prettiest SUV on the road today and the black fenders don’t help matters much. You can avoid that issue by ordering your Solterra in black, smoked carbon, or white. Do that and you’ll get body color fenders. The front end features a cleaner design with a new lighting signature and a revised bumper. Premium models wear 18-inch wheels. While Limited and Touring trimmed vehicles have 20-inch shoes. The rear spoiler isn’t just cosmetic. It also adds to aerodynamic efficiency, contributing to improved range.
Would we buy one?
If you’re buying an EV to drive around town or take on the occasional road trip, Solterra is not the best choice in the category. We’d lean toward the Ioniq 5 or Equinox EV which offer greater range, better performance and are arguably better looking vehicles. If you’re a Subaru fan or want to do some light off-roading, then Solterra is a solid choice. Another benefit is that Solterra was co-developed with Toyota and has had fewer safety recalls than other options in the category.
Prices start at $39,945 (which includes a $1,450 destination charge) for a Premium model and range all the way up to $47,305 for the Touring XT edition with black and blue leather. While not a bargain, Solterra is anywhere from $3,000 to $4,000 less than a comparably equipped AWD Ioniq 5 and almost identical in price to an AWD Equinox EV.
