There was very little wrong with the Subaru Solterra EV that debuted in 2022 beyond range and charging times.  At its California debut, it sliced through Santa Barbara traffic and proved its off-road chops on Catalina.  It was a no-hassle city car and all-capable Subaru – as long as you didn’t have far to go and had plenty of time to get there.

Now, we’re in mile-high Denver with a much-improved Solterra that puts critics on silent.

Before driving, a little history lesson.  The Solterra was co-developed with Toyota, which offers the similar bZ4X and Lexus RZ.  Engineering was 50/50 between the two automakers with Subaru taking lead on traction and safety.  Manufacturing is by Toyota in Japan.  It’s the product of a thoroughly functional blended family.

Styling is more Toyota than Subaru with references to the RAV4, but Subaru influenced the new front facia that dispenses with any pretense of a grille, accented by glittering LED driving lights over headlamps in the lower sides.  Check the lit star cluster logo at night.  Black wheel cladding and roof rack that supports 700 lbs. of tent camping are pure Subaru.  Click open the front fender port for the new Tesla-style NACS plug that grants access to the Supercharger network.

At first, the interior seemed unchanged, but significant updates soon became apparent.  It still feels more Prius than Outback with a flatscreen gauge cluster placed high for a head-up effect, redesigned 14-inch widescreen for infotainment and dual charging pads on the console.  The squircle steering wheel allows clearer views of gauges and provides more gripping positions.

Seats, available with heat and ventilation, come in cloth or StarTex vegan leather.  I prefer the latter for easy wash-downs after days of dusty adventure.  New for 2026 are blue and black StarTex seats that look especially fetching.  Our car added Harman Kardon audio, panoramic sunroof, wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto and a power hatch.  Storage abounds with the flybridge console, door cubbies, and roomy luggage compartment.  You can even get it with leg warmers.  Seriously.  Ambient lighting glows red when the safe exit assist system detects traffic.

A full suite of crash avoidance systems integrating Subaru’s eyesight system include automatic emergency braking lane keep assist, and blind spot warning.  Traffic jam assist allows hands-off driving up to 25 mph, but I’d love it more with full-range speeds.  You may need it given longer distances traveled.

Range improves by 25%, expanding from a brief 227 miles to a more accommodating 288 miles.  Quick charge 20-80% in 35 minutes.  That originally took an hour.  All-wheel-drive comes standard.  Base versions come with 233 horsepower (up from 215), but 338 horsepower systems with a more powerful front motor are available to zip 0-60 mph in 4.9 seconds.  Use one-pedal driving to engage regen for maximum range…and early braking into corners.

I was fine with performance of the old Solterra, but this one elicited giggles as it effaced asphalt between apexes and while thrusting up steep mountain passes.  In thin air that would wreak havoc on engines, EVs are unbothered.  The suspension is a little soft sweeping through corners, but suitably tuned for daily driving.

On a rocky unpaved section, I was in full rally mode when I looked left to see a moose statue.  Wrong, not a statue.  There he was, all 1,200+ lbs. of him, munching on a tree.  My driving partner and I watched him meander across the road before latching onto another tree.  We gave him a courteous good-bye, then zapped towards the off-road course.

Dual Function X-Mode with Grip Control and Deep Snow/Mud programming plus 8.3-inches of ground clearance proved their worth whether creeping down steep inclines or rolling over moguls.  As in Catalina, its performance was impressive with the computer and motors shifting power as if by magic.  It’s simply enchanting.  Pitch and roll gauges let you know which way is up.

I know it would punish range, but I’d love a Wilderness edition with another inch of ground clearance, all-terrain tires, and black hood patch.  The Solterra kind of deserves it.

Back at the hotel downtown Denver, I reflected on a long day of fast driving and grippy climbing.  Subaru could have just added range and reduced recharge times.  That’s all anybody requested.  Yet, we essentially get an all-new vehicle that is better in almost every way.

Subaru is still setting prices, but expect base prices under $40,000 with top trims around $50,000.  That compares favorably to the Chevy Equinox EV, Ford Mustang Mach-e, Hyundai IONIQ 5 and Kia EV6.

Storm Forward!

Send comments to Casey at AutoCasey@aol.com; follow him on YouTube @AutoCasey.