2023 Subaru Solterra First Look Review A New Era CarBuzz News Features New Cars Used Cars Sell My Car Shopping Tools Car Reviews Car Finder Compare Cars Best Cars Car Dealerships Used Car Reviews Car Advice Home Reviews 2023 Subaru Solterra First Look Review A New Era
2023 Subaru Solterra First Look Review A New Era
Dec. 17, 2021 7:40 AM ET by Karl Furlong First Look / 5 Comments Subaru's first EV takes electric power into the great outdoors. The Japanese brands tend to take a more cautious approach to new technologies than their European counterparts, and this explains why the likes of Mazda, Toyota, and Subaru have taken their time to reveal fully electric models. For Subaru, this landmark expansion begins with the fully electric Solterra SUV. With rugged looks for an EV, Subaru's well-known symmetrical all-wheel-drive system, and a platform jointly developed with Toyota, the Solterra must convince Subaru loyalists that the brand's traditional qualities can live on without a Boxer combustion engine under the hood. Let's find out if the Solterra can do just that. Subaru Subaru Subaru Exterior Not Quite Electric
Subaru isn't exactly known for its beautiful exterior designs, and the Solterra isn't going to change that perception. In profile, it does have a noticeably broader, sportier stance than the Forester, but it's the detailing that doesn't quite hit the mark. The plastic cladding around the wheel arches looks rather cheap, but it does at least serve as a visual reminder that this is a Subaru. The face isn't too bad, with smart LED daytime running lamps and a smooth panel where a traditional grille would be. At the back, there are fussy taillight clusters that extend in several directions. The side view is dominated by the abundance of black plastic. Then again, quirky styling hasn't stopped Subaru from selling a lot of vehicles in the past, so perhaps people will look past the rather disjointed exterior. Subaru Subaru Subaru Subaru Interior Spacious And Feature-Packed
One of the first things you notice in the cabin is the digital gauge cluster and available 12.3-inch touchscreen interface. The gauge cluster is set high up but appears to be partially obstructed by the top of the steering wheel, although we'll have to see how this pans out on a test drive. The cabin is spacious with 126 cubic feet of passenger and cargo space, including 30 cubes behind the second row. The materials look to be hard-wearing and durable, although it'll be interesting to see how some of those dashboard materials age over time. Storage space also looks generous, with a large space below the center console. As Subaru's first EV, the Solterra is well-equipped with an available panoramic roof, safe exit assist, blind-spot monitoring, and an available 360-degree surround-view camera system, the latter being a first for a Subaru model. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are welcome inclusions. Subaru Subaru Subaru Subaru Performance Dirt-Ready But Poor Range
Not all performance specifications are known yet, but the Solterra is confirmed to have dual electric motors - one in front and one at the back - producing a combined 215 horsepower and 248 lb-ft of torque. This is linked to Subaru's symmetrical all-wheel-drive system to hopefully offer the sort of dirt-road prowess expected of a Subaru. The Solterra gets X-Mode which improves performance in low-friction, off-road conditions, along with Grip Control with both Hill Ascent and Descent Assist. Together with the instant torque typically delivered by an electric vehicle, the Solterra should be quite capable off-road. It also has 8.3 inches of ground clearance, not too far off the Forester's 8.7. One disappointment is range. EPA ratings have yet to be revealed but Subaru claims 220 miles, 30 miles less than its corporate sibling, the Toyota bZ4X. Hooked up to a DC fast charger, the battery can be replenished to 80 percent in under an hour. Subaru Subaru Subaru Subaru Price And Competition
The Subaru Solterra is an important product for the company. As its first EV, this vehicle needs to do well. As with other Subarus, we expect the Solterra to set itself apart from rivals like the Ford Mustang Mach-E and Volkswagen ID.4 by being better equipped for dirt roads. Unfortunately, these rivals are nicer to look at, can be had with a lot more power, and have a superior range. However, a keen price could work in the Subaru's favor. We don't know what it'll cost yet, but if Subaru can comfortably come in at below the $40,000 mark, it could be a decent contender. We'll know more closer to the Solterra's on-sale date in mid-2022. Subaru Subaru Join The Discussion
Show Comments (5) Gallery
17 Photos Tags: #Subaru News #Electric Vehicles #First Look Related Cars
Subaru Solterra Karl Furlong Senior Editor Sweaty-palmed hot laps are fun, but Karl is a gearhead cut from a different cloth - or is that finely stitched Nappa leather? An E23 BMW 7 Series was the first car he fell madly in love with three decades ago, and this affection for Autobahn-conquering luxury sedans has persisted. Following studies in copywriting and journalism, along with stints in TV scriptwriting and marketing that had far too little to do with cars, Karl kept the fire burning by writing for automotive websites on the side, including a Florida-based auto repair shop and another for Porsche enthusiasts. It all came together when he joined CarBuzz in 2019. He has penned some of the latest news, reviews, and features ever since. Contact Karl @FuelAffection LoginSign Up Home News Features Car Reviews Car Advice 2021 CarBuzz Awards New Cars Used Cars Future Cars Compare Cars Sell My Car Car Dealerships Buy Here Pay Here Used Car Reviews Popular Tags Cars # Video # TOP # Spy Shots # Reveal # Rumor # Auto Show # Supercar # Tuning # Car Culture # Industry News # Motorsport Acura Alfa Romeo Aston Martin Audi Bentley BMW Bollinger Bugatti Buick Cadillac Caterham Chevrolet Chrysler Dodge Ferrari Fiat Fisker Ford Genesis GMC Hennessey Honda Hyundai Infiniti Jaguar Jeep Karma Kia Koenigsegg Lamborghini Land Rover Lexus Lincoln Lordstown Lotus Lucid Motors Maserati Mazda McLaren Mercedes-Benz Mini Mitsubishi Nissan Pagani Polestar Porsche Ram Rimac Rivian Rolls-Royce Spyker Subaru Tesla Toyota Volkswagen Volvo By Make Acura Alfa Romeo Aston Martin Audi Bentley BMW Bollinger Bugatti Buick Cadillac Caterham Chevrolet Chrysler Dodge Ferrari Fiat Fisker Ford Genesis GMC Hennessey Honda Hyundai Infiniti Jaguar Jeep Karma Kia Koenigsegg Lamborghini Land Rover Lexus Lincoln Lordstown Lotus Lucid Motors Maserati Mazda McLaren Mercedes-Benz Mini Mitsubishi Nissan Pagani Polestar Porsche Ram Rimac Rivian Rolls-Royce Spyker Subaru Tesla Toyota Volkswagen Volvo By Car Type SUVs Crossovers Sedans Coupes Trucks Sports Cars Wagons Vans Hatchbacks Convertibles Small Cars Luxury Cars Electric Cars Hybrid Cars Future Cars By Price Up to $15K $15K - $25K $25K - $35K $35K - $45K $45K - $55K $55K - $75K $75K - $100K $100K - $200K $200K - $300K Above $300K Back To Top