By Michael Satterfield - Photos by Lucas Kepner 06/06/2024
The 2024 Subaru Solterra is making waves as Subaru's first fully electric vehicle, marking a significant shift for a brand renowned for its rugged, all-wheel-drive vehicles. This compact SUV promises to blend Subaru's traditional strengths with modern electric vehicle (EV) technology, offering a unique proposition in the growing EV market.
The Solterra boasts a distinctive design that combines Subaru's rugged aesthetic with sleek, modern lines. It features a spacious cabin designed to provide comfort and practicality, making it an excellent choice for both daily commutes and some adventurous but limited trips. The interior includes a 7.0-inch digital instrument cluster and an 8.0-inch touchscreen that supports wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, providing a connected driving experience. The shifter is a novel rotating ring on the center console, and the interior styling is more organic than the usually plastic-heavy Subaru we are used to driving.
Equipped with dual electric motors, the 2024 Solterra delivers a total system power of 160 kW (approximately 215 horsepower) and 337 Nm of torque. This setup ensures the vehicle maintains Subaru’s hallmark all-wheel-drive capability, making it suitable for various terrains and weather conditions. The Solterra's battery, a 71.4 kWh lithium-ion unit, offers a claimed range of up to 225, though real-world driving conditions might see a slightly lower range. we were tracking to get around 185 miles during our week of driving.
Driving the Solterra is a smooth experience, with its low center of gravity providing better handling compared to some of Subaru’s combustion-engine counterparts. The vehicle’s ride quality is comfortable, even on rougher roads, but the steering feels somewhat disconnected and heavy; it is perfectly fine to drive but not as fun as the sporty WRX.
The 2024 Solterra has impressive charging capabilities. It can charge from 10% to 80% in about 35 minutes using DC fast charging, which is much faster than many of its competitors. This makes it convenient for longer trips where quick charging stops are necessary. Additionally, the Solterra has improved cold-weather charging, performing twice as fast at 32 degrees Fahrenheit and four times faster at 14 degrees Fahrenheit compared to previous models. This is good news for those cold days in the Pacific Northwest, where most of these will likely be sold.
Safety is a top priority for Subaru, and the Solterra is no exception. It comes standard with the EyeSight Driver Assist Technology, which includes features like Traffic Jam Assist and Lane Change Assist. The DriverFocus Distraction Mitigation System is also standard, helping to ensure drivers remain attentive on the road. These advanced safety features contributed to the Solterra receiving a 5-star overall vehicle score from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
Compared to its closest rival, the Toyota bZ4X, the Solterra offers better value on paper, with more standard features at a lower MSRP. I have not had a chance to drive the bZ4X, but since they are built upon almost identical platforms, I expect that they would drive very similarly.
The 2024 SubaruSubaru Solterra represents a significant advancement for Subaru, combining their traditional strengths in all-wheel-drive technology with the advantages of an electric powertrain. This vehicle offers a well-rounded combination of performance, safety, and practicality, positioning it as a strong competitor in the EV market. However, it deviates from Subaru's adventurous ethos. With a range of approximately 200 miles and limited charging stations in remote areas, it could be considered the least adventurous Subaru model to date.
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