We like
Smooth, silent drive characteristics; tidy on-road dynamics; pleasing drive feel; comfy interior; deceptively large cargo area; can be driven on unsealed roads

Room for improvement
At least 100km short on range claim; tows just 750kg; runs out of puff at higher speeds; too much external plastic cladding; unwarranted ADAS intrusion; list price

Overview

 

A BIT over $80K ($76,990 plus on-road costs) gets you into the range-topping, fully electric Subaru Solterra AWD Touring model, a twin-under-the-skin with Toyota’s bZ4X in AWD form.

 

A cheaper model simply called Subaru Solterra AWD lists from $7000 less, but is essentially the same underneath.

 

The Solterra is pitched against the likes of Tesla’s Model 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).

 

A large number of hybrids in various flavours can also be considered possible contenders – should that option better suit your requirements.

 

The Solterra rides on a purpose-built architecture called the e-Subaru Global EV Platform and, unlike the Toyota equivalent, is only offered Down Under in AWD configuration (whereas Toyota offers RWD and AWD versions of the bZ4X, the former for a few grand less than the Subaru Solterra).

 

The top-of-the-range Solterra Touring variant obviously scores more kit than its lesser stablemate, including pleather upholstery, a panoramic sunroof, 20-inch alloys, wireless phone charging pad, eight-way powered front seat adjustment, advanced park assist, and a 10-speaker harman/kardon sound.

 

Like the lower spec model, the Touring runs two screens – a 7.0-inch instrument panel and a 12.3-inch centre touchscreen for infotainment – with a funky multi-function square steering wheel trending towards yoke-style steering.

 

The model has grip control for low-speed traction and features a low centre of gravity and generous 212mm ground clearance. The Symmetric AWD system has dual modes and is attached to a MacPherson strut front and double wishbone suspension arrangement.

 

Steering is electrically-assisted, and one-pedal driving (called S-Pedal) forms part of the regenerative braking system. The Solterra provides three driving modes: Eco, Normal and Sport.

 

It also comes equipped with Subaru’s extensive Safety Sense suite of ADAS driven with assistance from the company’s Eyesight stereoscopic cameras that also provide vision assist functions such as adaptive high beam and safe exit assist among a raft of tech.

 

Driving Impressions

 

While this scribe is not a fan of the ‘plastic fantastic’ styling of the Solterra’s body, I did appreciate the smooth, silent cabin, impressive drive feel – and even that squared-off steering wheel.

 

Among the numerous BEVs driven this year (some with ridiculously high-power output figures), the Solterra with a “mere” 160kW stands out as a car you’d enjoy driving and owning… the Goldilocks BEV with just the right amount of mumbo, the right sporty suspension calibration, tidy dynamics, and sharp reflexes.

 

I suppose a company with the motorsport pedigree of Subaru is gonna get that one right, eh?

 

Better still, the Solterra SUV has ample room for four- to five passengers inside, and a large load space behind. It features several nifty storage compartments but, oddly, no glove box.

 

The controls are a mix of digital and analogue, and it can become a little confronting trying to fettle the car to arrive at your preferred set-up – a task best carried out while parked.

 

Even more confusing, the adjustment of some more intricate preferences are a real pain in the neck, and revert to the factory default when the ignition is cycled. We have yet to discover how to turn off the irritating driver attention monitor, and really dislike the necessity to re-select certain ADAS preferences each time we hop in the driver’s seat.

 

The seats themselves are, however, comfy; though we would like a little more adjustment if we were to be critical, noting that the sunroof impinges on the headroom of taller occupants.

 

The cabin of the Solterra looks terrific with some unusual materials and textures creating more interest than many in the category – and without being fussy or ‘loud’. The harman/kardon audio bundle is brilliant, and all the more enjoyable given the hushed ride Solterra offers.

 

Sadly, we couldn’t share the same enthusiasm for the Solterra’s LED headlight performance, which is adequate at best – even on high beam.

 

We drove the Solterra Touring on some unsealed roads which it took easily in its stride, getting some mud underneath in the process. Nothing scraped, nothing got out of shape, it was all very stable, controlled, and predictable.

 

In cornering, the Solterra displays poise and compliance – an ideal combo for everyday driving. The weight precludes any sporty driving, though we must say the Solterra acquits itself very nicely in the dynamics department.

 

Subaru’s dual electric traction motors (rated at 160kW/337Nm and driven through a single-speed transmission) apportioned drive equally to each axle. Performance is steady, with similar acceleration to a 1.6-litre turbocharged petrol SUV of similar proportions.

 

The 71.4kWh battery saw energy consumed at a rate of 21kWh per 100km, meaning we could go no further than 385km on a full charge – well short of the manufacturer’s claim. Perhaps we’d do better with a single passenger on board and the HVAC switched off…

 

With a bit of pencil sharpening, the Subaru Solterra could do well as an all-electric family hauler. But with a drive-away price of $80,000 there are plenty of other options to persuade EV buyers.

 

At 372 units, Solterra sales for the year fall way short of the Toyota-branded bZ4X (914), and are a galaxy away from the Tesla Model Y (with 12,516 unit sales to the end of November) – not to mention the many newer Chinese imports that are capturing solid numbers in an expanding BEV market…

 

Let’s hope Subaru listens up and does what it can to cut the price – and improve the model’s range – as it may just help more buyers get the chance to experience what really is a terrific battery-powered SUV.