Prepared To Compete Head-To-Head With the Finest All-Electrical Compact SUVs
Subaru entered the electrical car world in 2023 with the primary era Solterra SUV, the sister automobile to the Toyota BZ4X. Whereas the BZ4X (renamed BZ for 2026) by no means caught the attention of EV savvy customers, the Solterra did properly with Subaru house owners.
Not standing nonetheless, Subaru designers and engineers started creating the second era 2026 Solterra. The result is a markedly spectacular achievement that locations Subaru squarely on purchaser’s buying checklist for small all-electric SUVs. All consumers, not simply loyal Subaru house owners.
Clear Fleet Report drove the Solterra for every week, spending our 291 all-electric miles cruising round Southern California with mixture of metropolis streets and freeways. Trace: It wasn’t sufficient time behind the wheel of this pleasant EV.
Just a few fundamentals to assist when buying on your subsequent (possibly first) all-electric SUV.
- 4 trims: Premium; Restricted; Restricted XT and Touring XT
- Normal all-wheel drive (AWD)
- Normal X-Mode for enhanced off-road driving
- New for 2026 Normal the North American Charging System (NACS)
- New for 2026 Twin motors w/extra hp: Restricted XT: 233; Touring XT: 338
- New for 2026 Battery: 74.7 kWh Lithium-ion battery with cooling and heating
- New for 2026 11 kW onboard charger.
- Curb Weight: 4,395-4,510 kilos
- Driving Vary: Premium: 288 miles; Restricted, Restricted XT and Restricted Touring: 278 miles.
Street Time
Clean, on the spot acceleration and torque accessible at any velocity is what makes driving an electrical car so great. There isn’t a engine or transmission lag, simply seamless energy when wanted. The all-new 2026 Solterra greater than competently delivers all these.
The Solterra shines on the town and on the open street. The twin motors and AWD ship spirited acceleration from a cease. On the freeway, at 60 mph and needing to move site visitors, 70 mph is reached rapidly. The push of energy is linear and the automobile was pulling sturdy even at 70 mph. When the situations are protected, give the assisted driving a attempt by way of Subaru EyeSight. This isn’t a hands-free system.
The 5-door, 5-passenger SUV has two drive modes—Regular (default) and Eco. The previous is the place we saved the Solterra for in-town driving and when ascending and descending hills; On lengthy stretches of freeway we opted for Eco.
The all-new Solterra has paddles on the bottom of the steering wheel for brake regeneration, which replenishes the battery by changing kinetic power into electrical energy when braking or coasting. The regeneration will be elevated 4 ranges with the left paddle or decreased with the suitable paddle. The regeneration ranges are usually not as sturdy as we’ve examined elsewhere, however with time and apply we acclimated utilizing the utmost power setting.
The AWD dealing with was stable with a low middle of gravity because the batteries are positioned beneath the floorboard. We had been driving the Touring XT with Yokohama Geolander 235/50 all-season tires mounted on 20-inch aluminum alloy wheels. 18-inch are commonplace on the Premium trim whereas Restricted and Restricted XT additionally get 20-inch. The 4-wheel unbiased suspension has MacPherson struts up entrance, a double-wishbone rear suspension with coil springs and stabilizer bars on each ends.
We pushed the Solterra Touring XT laborious at occasions, most positively tougher than a household of 4 or 5 would ever do. Corners taken briskly produced little to no physique roll. Modulating the accelerator pedal makes use of the regenerative braking, making for the smoothest method to take turns. Greater-speed esses benefited from predictable stability as we easily rolled by way of with absolute zero concern for loosing grip.
The Solterra will not be a sport SUV and Subaru doesn’t promote it as such. This doesn’t take something away from what their engineers have designed. The fast-ratio electrical energy steering, car dynamics management with all-wheel, all-speed traction management, energetic cornering help and torque vectoring will make emergency freeway avoidance maneuvers as protected and managed as attainable.
Getting Soiled
The Solterra is constructed to take average off-roading adventures, so tackling a gravel forest street to get to your favourite fly fishing stream or the ski cabin won’t current any points. The 8.3 inches of floor clearance can be appreciated when partaking X-Mode to descend steep, hilly trails. Options of Subaru’s off-road system embody drive settings for Snow, Filth, Deep Snow and Mud, plus Grip Management and Downhill Help Management.
Slowing and Stopping
The Solterra doesn’t have full one pedal driving, the place it might come to an entire cease by way of regenerative braking (or extra precisely the motors reversing to do the slowing). Subaru did embody a Brake Maintain button, which engages the brake pedal holding the Solterra at a cease. It is a welcome characteristic for anybody that has commuted because it relieves strain on the driving force’s proper leg.
The ventilated entrance and rear anti-lock disc brakes, with digital brake-force distribution and brake help, stopped the Solterra straight with out pedal fade.
Charging
The Solterra comes with a pre-conditioner that brings the battery to an optimum charging temperature (heated or cooled to 70º F). The battery will be trickle-charged with a 120V widespread wall plug, however count on replenish occasions to be lengthy and gradual. One of the best wager for house owners can be to put in a Stage 2, 240V residence charger that can ship a full cost in 9/11 hours.
The 2026 Solterra is provided with a North American Charging System (NACS) charging port, giving it entry to 1000’s of high-speed Tesla Supercharger stations nationwide. DC quick charging, at a 150 kW most, will take the Subaru from 10-80% battery capability in round half-hour.
New Platform
When Clear Fleet Report first wrote in regards to the 2026 Solterra, we spoke with Garrick Goh, carline planning supervisor for Solterra. He instructed us as a result of there have been so many modifications, additions and enhancements from the outgoing Solterra, “our attorneys mentioned we may name it all-new.” This is a vital distinction that differs from “refreshed,” because it signifies Subaru engineers and designers acknowledged main enhancements wanted to be made. These are a few of what you will discover within the 2026 Solterra versus the 2025 Solterra, with a extra detailed checklist on the finish of this story,
Adjustments from 2025 to 2026 for the Solterra platform embody:
- Entrance subframe redesign
- Radiator help construction
- Motor mounts
- Steering rack mounting
- Management arms, hubs, wheel bearings, bushings and axles
- Roof construction
- Retuned suspension
- Improved crash construction
- Extra sound insulation
- Lighter motors with extra energy
- Elevated vibration-absorbent structural adhesives within the floorpan
Redesigned Exterior
The outside design has a sleeker entrance finish with modifications to the fascia and lighting. On some trims there’s an possibility for color-matched fender-flares. The nostril and bumper are curved, main into smooth slit LED headlights with the six-star Subaru emblem now illuminated. The headlight washers are appreciated as your Solterra will definitely be getting muddy off-road. Sculpting on the doorways and rear quarter panels add a pleasant contact.
There are six exterior coloration choices with Astro Black Mica at no further cost. There are two, at a $475 premium, Cosmic White Pearl and Midnight Tide Mica. For much more customization there are three two-toned decisions of Smoked Carbon ($495) and, for a further $970, both Elemental Purple or what our Solterra was completed in—Harbor Mist Grey Pearl.
The 8.3-inch experience peak is comfy for ingress and egress. The entrance and rear overhangs are brief. Up high, low profile roof rails can help 700 kilos when parked and 176 kilos when transferring, good for a rooftop tent for 2 adults and possibly a child or perhaps a canine. Relying on the trim there may be an non-obligatory energy sunroof and foot-activated energy raise gate. The twin-wing ducktail high spoiler and a extra standard lip spoiler on the backside of the steeply sloped tailgate work collectively to maintain the rear glass clear. Slim LED tail lights, with a connecting gentle strip, take-up little house on the rear.
New Inside Design
Driver visibility is excellent as a result of experience peak, skinny A-pillars, a sloping hood and tall home windows. The entrance seats are heated and supportive, with energy changes for the driving force and the passenger in all however the Premium trim. The rear seat holds two comfortably, three in a pinch. The cargo house behind the rear seats will increase from 23.8 cubic toes when the 60:40 second row break up seat is upright to 63.5 when laid flat. The rear passengers are handled to heated outbound seats, footwell lighting, air vents and twin USB-C energy ports.
Seats in our Solterra Touring XT had been coated within the non-obligatory black and blue leather-based. The motive force had 10-way energy with lumbar and reminiscence, the passenger 8-way energy. Each had been heated and ventilated. Good touches had been the LED footwell lighting and the radiant decrease leg heaters.
The Touring XT had wonderful sounds from the 800-watt, 8-channel amplified Harmon Kardon premium audio system with 9 audio system, a subwoofer and two tweeters. Tunes come by way of SiriusXM, AM/FM HD radio or Bluetooth streaming apps. Wi-fi Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are commonplace.
The bottom multimedia Subaru audio system has the identical 14.0-inch coloration touchscreen. Navigation, Siri, USB-C ports (4), a 1,500-watt AC outlet, a 12-volt energy outlet and twin wi-fi cellphone chargers are commonplace.
Comfort Options
Clear Fleet Report’s Solterra within the Touring XT trim included a panoramic view monitor, panoramic moonroof with energy sunshade, energy rear raise gate with kick-to-open-and-close, heated steering wheel, keyless entry, rain-sensing windshield wipers, computerized local weather management and rubber all-weather ground mats.
Security
Lively superior driver-assistance programs (ADAS, which incorporates EyeSight) embody a pre-collision system together with pedestrian detection, lane departure alert with steering help, full-speed dynamic radar cruise management, baby protector rear door locks and energy window lockout, tire strain monitoring system, and an anti-theft system with engine immobilizer. The Touring XT trim has a digital rearview mirror with Homelink. Passive programs embody eight airbags.
Guarantee
| Battery | Eight years/100,000 miles |
| Fundamental | Three years/36,000 miles |
| Powertrain | 5 years/60,000 miles |
| Anti-Corrosion | 12 years/Limitless miles |
Pricing
The 2026 Subaru Solterra is available in 5 trims. All costs embody the $1,450 vacation spot and supply cost. Equipment and taxes are further.
| Premium | $39,945 |
| Restricted | $42,845 |
| Restricted XT | $44,345 |
| Touring XT | $47,005 |
| Touring XT Leather-based | $47,305 |
Abstract
Clear Fleet Report is a fan of the 2026 Subaru Solterra for its roomy cabin, comfy experience and exact steering, close to 300- mile all-electric driving vary and quick charging. It may additionally deal with gentle off-roading and is prepared for a tenting journey. The well-rounded Solterra will enchantment not solely to loyal Subaru house owners, however to anybody searching for a flexible all-electric SUV. Head over to your native Subaru seller, give one a take a look at drive and tell us what you assume.
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Story and photographs by John Faulkner.
