2024 Subaru Solterra Touring
Specs
Class: Compact crossover
Coloration: Machine Grey
Miles pushed: 343
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Battery capability: 72.8 kWh
EPA-estimate MPGe: 111 metropolis/93 hwy/102 mixed
EPA-estimated driving vary: 222 miles
Client Information vary estimate (excellent situations): 222+ miles
Snow Efficiency: N/A
Base worth: $51,995 (not together with $1345 vacation spot cost)
Choices on take a look at automobile: Particular paint ($890), cargo tray ($141), ground liner ($187)
Worth as examined: $54,558
Fast Hits
The good: Spectacular experience and dealing with, better-than-expected vary
The nice: Snug cabin
The not so good: Too-high checklist worth
Overview
At first blush, the Subaru Solterra is one thing of a disappointment. It’s a bit costly, it’s battery vary is mediocre, and it isn’t even constructed by Subaru. Certainly, new for 2023, the Solterra was designed and assembled by Toyota, with Subaru accountable just for design, trim, and chassis tuning. In reality, the Solterra may be very a lot a clone of Toyota’s personal BZ4X.
Essentially the most cynical interpretation of all that is that Subaru, feeling the necessity to have an EV in U.S. showrooms, took the simplest street to that finish. The excellent news is that, as a compact crossover, the Solterra is positioned within the EV market’s hottest section, and to a point completes for gross sales with well-regarded Hyundai Ioniq 5, and Tesla’s hot-selling Mannequin Y.
All will not be doom and gloom, nevertheless, as we’ve discovered an incredible to love in regards to the unassuming Solterra, together with real-world vary which exceeds the crossover’s modest EPA estimates, and arguably best-in-class experience high quality. We’ll get to our subjective evaluation in a second.
Costs and Trim Ranges
For 2024, Subaru’s solely EV is obtainable in three trim ranges: base Premium ($46,340), mid-level Restricted ($49,840), and top-of-the-line Touring ($53,340).
Shifting from the Premium as much as the Restricted will get buyers, amongst different issues, 20-inch wheels, , energy seats, and Subaru’s Superior Park Help. Shifting from there to the Touring provides such niceties as a glass-panel roof, digital rear-view mirror, and ventilated entrance seats.
Engines
As a result of it’s a Subaru, the Solterra is obtainable solely with AWD, a factor which accounts not less than partially for its elevated base costs. All Solterras characteristic a pair of electrical motors mated to a 73-kWh battery. Whole system output is 215 horsepower.
Vary
For 2024, Restricted and Touring fashions are EPA rated to journey 222 miles on a full cost, whereas the Premium as rated at 227 miles.
Whereas huge adjustments are anticipated for the 2026 Solterra, the automobile will likely be little modified for 2025. Observe that, as a result of it isn’t assembled within the U.S., the Solterra doesn’t qualify received the EV buy federal tax credit score for outright buy, however might be leased to entry these funds. Ask your Subaru vendor for particulars.
Client Information lately spent per week behind the wheel of a 2024 Solterra Touring in Harbor Mist Grey. Together with vacation spot cost, our take a look at automotive got here to $54,558.
Cabin
Contained in the Solterra presents effectively. Although not precisely premium in really feel, issues like a padded, carpet-trimmed sprint high and apparently glorious meeting high quality give the electrical Subaru a contemporary, upscale atmosphere. And whereas the infotainment system’s giant, easy-to-read touchscreen is a plus, we bristle at seeing Toyota’s low-dash instrument panel, which is considered excessive of the steering wheel. This setup can also be seen in the same BZ4X, and the Toyota Prius. Whereas driver’s fast acclimate to the setup, it feels unnecessarily Quirky to us, and never in a great way.
Room and Consolation
Massive door openings make for straightforward entry and exiting of the Solterra, and there’s a beneficiant quantity of front-seat house, even for bigger adults—reminiscent of this writer. Rear seat house is equally beneficiant, and legroom is sufficient even aft of taller front-row passengers. Outward visibility from the driving force’s seat can also be superb, although the over-the-shoulder view to the left is obscured considerably by the Solterra’s thick rear pillar.
Energy and Efficiency
Although not a powerhouse by EV requirements, the Solterra is among the many quickest autos within the Subaru portfolio. Throttle responses is speedy, and the ‘Terra bursts away satisfyingly from stops, providing up loads of passing and merging muscle. Although we didn’t have a chance to judge the Solterra in snow, Subaru does model the little crossover’s AWD setup with its personal “Symmetric AWD” moniker, suggesting the maker has religion that the electrical AWD system will approximate the efficiency of its personal—traditionally glorious—mechanical system discovered on model fashions.
Additionally, although rated at simply 222 miles of vary, this writer loved practically 260 miles of real-world journey between fees—with a bit juice remaining within the battery. This was admittedly on a battery-friendly temperate summer time day; nevertheless, we suspect the Solterra’s EPA estimated vary is not less than a bit conservative.
Experience and Dealing with
The place the Solterra shines is experience and dealing with. Whereas many EVs undergo from a certain quantity of secondary movement after a big influence—a problem associated to the load of the battery—the Solterra demonstrates stunning composure over particularly tough surfaces. Dealing with, too, is spectacular. The Solterra feels nearly sporty round corners, and there’s extra steering really feel than usually present in an electrical automobile. Additionally, even at freeway speeds, the cabin is quiet sufficient for regular-volume dialog between the seating rows.
Worth
Whereas dear at first look, and vary restricted, the accommodating and refined Solterra is price a glance. We have been most impressed by the electrical Subaru’s premium-feel experience and dealing with, and long-distance consolation. As this overview as posted, Subaru is providing Solterra lease offers beginning at $329 a month. And, once more, by leasing the Solterra—or any EV—you develop into eligible for the federal tax credit score, this as a result of a commercial-vehicle exemption—once more ask your vendor for particulars.
We just like the Solterra. It doesn’t attempt too exhausting to look or really feel electrical, and its core efficiency is usually spectacular. If , we advise checking a few Subaru shops to see what sort of offers can be found in your space. We’re fairly certain sellers are prepared to barter.
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2024 Subaru Solterra Touring Photos
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