Overview
A BIT over $80K ($76,990 plus on-road prices) will get you into the range-topping, totally electrical Subaru Solterra AWD Touring mannequin, a twin-under-the-skin with Toyota’s bZ4X in AWD kind.
A less expensive mannequin merely known as Subaru Solterra AWD lists from $7000 much less, however is actually the identical beneath.
The Solterra is pitched towards the likes of Tesla’s Mannequin Y AWD (from $69,990), the Toyota bZ4X AWD (from $74,900), Polestar 4 AWD (from $93,050), Kia EV5 AWD (from $64,770), and Hyundai Ioniq 5 AWD (from $85,300).
Numerous hybrids in varied flavours will also be thought-about doable contenders – ought to that possibility higher fit your necessities.
The Solterra rides on a purpose-built structure known as the e-Subaru World EV Platform and, in contrast to the Toyota equal, is simply supplied Down Below in AWD configuration (whereas Toyota provides RWD and AWD variations of the bZ4X, the previous for a number of grand lower than the Subaru Solterra).
The highest-of-the-range Solterra Touring variant clearly scores extra package than its lesser stablemate, together with pleather upholstery, a panoramic sunroof, 20-inch alloys, wi-fi cellphone charging pad, eight-way powered entrance seat adjustment, superior park help, and a 10-speaker harman/kardon sound.
Just like the decrease spec mannequin, the Touring runs two screens – a 7.0-inch instrument panel and a 12.3-inch centre touchscreen for infotainment – with a cool multi-function sq. steering wheel trending in the direction of yoke-style steering.
The mannequin has grip management for low-speed traction and contains a low centre of gravity and beneficiant 212mm floor clearance. The Symmetric AWD system has twin modes and is hooked up to a MacPherson strut entrance and double wishbone suspension association.
Steering is electrically-assisted, and one-pedal driving (known as S-Pedal) varieties a part of the regenerative braking system. The Solterra gives three driving modes: Eco, Regular and Sport.
It additionally comes geared up with Subaru’s in depth Security Sense suite of ADAS pushed with help from the corporate’s Eyesight stereoscopic cameras that additionally present imaginative and prescient help features reminiscent of adaptive excessive beam and secure exit help amongst a raft of tech.
Driving Impressions
Whereas this scribe just isn’t a fan of the ‘plastic unbelievable’ styling of the Solterra’s physique, I did admire the sleek, silent cabin, spectacular drive really feel – and even that squared-off steering wheel.
Among the many quite a few BEVs pushed this yr (some with ridiculously high-power output figures), the Solterra with a “mere” 160kW stands out as a automobile you’d get pleasure from driving and proudly owning… the Goldilocks BEV with simply the correct quantity of mumbo, the suitable sporty suspension calibration, tidy dynamics, and sharp reflexes.
I suppose an organization with the motorsport pedigree of Subaru is gonna get that one proper, eh?
Higher nonetheless, the Solterra SUV has ample room for four- to 5 passengers inside, and a big load area behind. It options a number of nifty storage compartments however, oddly, no glove field.
The controls are a mixture of digital and analogue, and it might turn out to be slightly confronting attempting to fettle the automobile to reach at your most popular set-up – a process greatest carried out whereas parked.
Much more complicated, the adjustment of some extra intricate preferences are an actual ache within the neck, and revert to the manufacturing facility default when the ignition is cycled. We’ve got but to find the way to flip off the irritating driver consideration monitor, and actually dislike the need to re-select sure ADAS preferences every time we hop within the driver’s seat.
The seats themselves are, nevertheless, comfortable; although we wish slightly extra adjustment if we had been to be essential, noting that the sunroof impinges on the headroom of taller occupants.
The cabin of the Solterra appears terrific with some uncommon supplies and textures creating extra curiosity than many within the class – and with out being fussy or ‘loud’. The harman/kardon audio bundle is good, and all of the extra fulfilling given the hushed trip Solterra provides.
Sadly, we couldn’t share the identical enthusiasm for the Solterra’s LED headlight efficiency, which is sufficient at greatest – even on excessive beam.
We drove the Solterra Touring on some unsealed roads which it took simply in its stride, getting some mud beneath within the course of. Nothing scraped, nothing bought off form, it was all very steady, managed, and predictable.
In cornering, the Solterra shows poise and compliance – a perfect combo for on a regular basis driving. The load precludes any sporty driving, although we should say the Solterra acquits itself very properly within the dynamics division.
Subaru’s twin electrical traction motors (rated at 160kW/337Nm and pushed by means of a single-speed transmission) apportioned drive equally to every axle. Efficiency is regular, with comparable acceleration to a 1.6-litre turbocharged petrol SUV of comparable proportions.
The 71.4kWh battery noticed vitality consumed at a fee of 21kWh per 100km, that means we may go no additional than 385km on a full cost – effectively wanting the producer’s declare. Maybe we’d do higher with a single passenger on board and the HVAC switched off…
With a little bit of pencil sharpening, the Subaru Solterra may do effectively as an all-electric household hauler. However with a drive-away worth of $80,000 there are many different choices to steer EV consumers.
At 372 models, Solterra gross sales for the yr fall approach wanting the Toyota-branded bZ4X (914), and are a galaxy away from the Tesla Mannequin Y (with 12,516 unit gross sales to the top of November) – to not point out the various newer Chinese language imports which are capturing stable numbers in an increasing BEV market…
Let’s hope Subaru listens up and does what it might to chop the worth – and enhance the mannequin’s vary – as it might simply assist extra consumers get the prospect to expertise what actually is a terrific battery-powered SUV.
