It’s difficult to believe, but I first drove the Subaru Solterra, the brand’s first EV, over four years ago in Santa Barbara, California. It was smooth and quiet on city streets and surprisingly capable off-road on Catalina Island. It drove just as nice back home in Indianapolis. There was really nothing wrong with it beyond short driving range and long recharge times. And, sales flowed like molasses. Updates to our 2026 Solterra Touring XT prove Subaru kept the good while updating the mediocre.
If styling looks like the Toyota bZ, it’s not by coincidence as the Solterra was co-developed with its Japanese partner. The automakers claim engineering was 50/50, and both took full advantage of Subaru’s off-road expertise, but manufacturing is by Toyota in Japan rather than Subaru in Indiana.
The facia dispenses with any pretense of a grille, accented by glittering LED driving lights over headlamps below. Black wheel cladding, hood soul patch 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. RAV4 styling cues look sleek and futuristic planted over 20-inch wheels. I’m especially smitten with our XT package’s black badging.
The interior cribs the Prius with flatscreen gauges placed high for a head-up effect, but adds an intuitive 14-inch widescreen for infotainment and dual charging pads atop the console. A heated squircle steering wheel allows varying hand positions and clears views of gauges. It looks fresh.
New for 2026 are fetching blue and black leather seats – heated and ventilated if you please. They’re a good combination of plush comfort yet deeply bolstered for backroad shenanigans. Our car added Harman Kardon audio, panoramic sunroof, wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto and a power hatch. Storage occupies the flybridge console, door cubbies, and roomy luggage compartment. You can even get it with ambient leg warmers for those cold camping mornings.
A full suite of safety tech integrating Subaru’s Eyesight system comprises automatic emergency braking, lane keep assist, blind spot warning and safe exit assist that prevents passengers from stepping into traffic. Traffic jam assist allows hands-off driving up to 25 mph, but I’d love it at highway speeds too.
Range improves about 25% to a more accommodating 278 miles. Clicking over 300 miles would be better, but I’ll take it. Quick charge 20-80% in 30 minutes (originally took an hour). A full charge on a 240v home unit takes 7 hours. Base versions enjoy 233 horsepower (up from 215), but 338 horsepower in our Touring edition snags 0-60 mph in just 4.9 seconds. That’s quick enough to free your kid’s drink box from their little fingers.
It wouldn’t be a Subaru without off-road capability and the Solterra is wholly competent unless you chase an Outback Wilderness. On both Catalina and outside Denver last summer, its all-road chops were impressive. Dual Function X-Mode with deep snow/mud programming plus 8.3-inches of ground clearance crept down steep inclines and rolled over suspension-twisting moguls. Even with wheels in the air, electronics shifted power as if by magic to keep moving. Enchanting.
It took a minute for Subaru to fully embrace EVs, but the Solterra proves they are finally getting it right…even if that requires a little Toyota help. For something smaller, check out the Subaru Uncharted compact EV. Larger choices include the Outback-sized Trailseeker wagon and Getaway three-row crossover.
Solterra pricing is set pretty close to the Outback. Prices range from a base $38,445 to our car’s very loaded $48,482. Competitors include the Chevy Equinox EV, Ford Mach-E, Hyundai IONIQ 5, Nissan Leaf and Tesla Model Y.
Storm Forward!
Casey Williams has contributed to gaywheels since 2008. Send comments to Casey at AutoCasey@aol.com; follow him on YouTube @AutoCasey.