Subaru Solterra arrives in showrooms from $78K

SUBARU’S first fully electric model, the Solterra medium SUV, is rolling off the docks with the company confirming final specification as dealerships receive their first demonstrator examples.

Two variants are available: the Solterra AWD priced from $77,990 and the Solterra AWD Touring priced from $83,690 (both excluding on-road costs).

Subaru beats Toyota’s twin under-the-skin bZ4x SUV to market by about a month as that model is scheduled to arrive some time later in February with similar pricing, although availability of a two-wheel drive option means it could undercut the Solterra.

For the money, the Solterra has only two real AWD electric segment competitors in the Hyundai Ioniq 5 Dynamiq AWD from $80,500 + ORC and the Tesla Model Y AWD from $78,400 + ORC.

Both Solterra variants come standard with a five-year service plan, five-year roadside assistance, carpet mat set, cargo tray and a 2kW AC charging cable with 10A wall plug for charging.

The vehicle is powered by a 71.4kW lithium-ion battery delivering a maximum outputs of 160kW and 337Nm from dual motors. Claimed NEDC range is 485km on a single charge.

Recharging a Solterra from 0-to-80 per cent via a 150kW DC public charger is said to take approximately 30 minutes or a single-phase 7kW AC charger takes around 9.5 hours to replenish it from empty to 100 per cent.

An 11kW three-phase AC charger cuts that to approximately six and a half hours.

Subaru say the Solterra is a capable off-roader with class-leading 212mm of ground clearance and two X-Mode settings that work with its symmetrical all-wheel-drive system to “provide exceptional grip and control”.

As well as X-Mode (a driver-activated feature designed to be used when road conditions become particularly treacherous or challenging), the Solterra includes an off-road cruise control type system called Grip Control.

Standard equipment includes a central 12.3-inch high-definition touchscreen with native sat-nav plus wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, dusk-sensing self-levelling LED headlights with auto off, rear LED combination lights, powered auto-folding door mirrors, puddle lamps, powered tailgate, roof rails and roof carrier brackets.

Also included across both variants are a carpet mat set, cargo tray, heated leather steering wheel, eight-way power-adjustable driver’s seat with lumbar support, front and rear outboard heated seats, paddle-shifters for adjusting regenerative braking, digital rearview mirror and dual-zone climate-control with rear vents and remote control. 

The tech and safety offering across both models includes native satnav, Subaru Safety Sense system, Subaru Vision Assist and driver monitoring system.

Going for Touring spec replaces the six-speaker stereo with a 10-speaker Harman Kardon premium audio system, 18-inch alloy wheels are supplanted by 20s, cloth upholstery becomes synthetic leather and the front passenger gets eight-way powered seat adjustment.

Also added to the Touring are auto-dipping door mirrors, a wireless phone charger, driver’s door mirror position memory, panoramic glass roof, advanced parking assist and the option of two-tone paint finishes (for $1200 extra).

Commenting on the arrival of Solterra Subaru Australia’s managing director, Blair Read, said: “We are excited to welcome the Solterra to the Subaru model range as it delivers Subaru’s trusted reliability, diverse-terrain capability, safety, and engaging driving dynamics in Subaru’s first all-electric SUV.”

“The smooth, linear output of the dual electric motors combined with Subaru’s legendary Symmetrical All Wheel Drive, means drivers have outstanding control and capability on all kinds of road and conditions. The Solterra delivers the renowned driving feeling and confidence that Subaru owners demand.”

2024 Subaru Solterra pricing*:

*Price excludes on road costs