Subaru Solterra in-depth review | Pricing, range, availability and driving impressions 

My wife and I have owned Subarus for about 10 years. We love the quality of the cars and what the company stands for. But, at such a high price with a lower driving range than just about every other EV, the Solterra doesn’t seem to be the non-carbon choice for us. Plus, I personally wouldn’t buy a first-generation model.

This is the best video with details about this car. Great work team Car Guru!

Great information, appreciate it.

Excellent review. Concise and detailed at the same time. It's pricey for the range but I will wait and see what happens in the 2nd gen. I own a Subaru legacy and one thing is certain in most models. Solid build quality and excellent AWD.

I would love to see a review on how well it handles snow and Ice. I live in snow country and we have owned several Subaru over the years.

Good tester. Like his comments. Greetings from German fan

whelp have to wait to be placed on the list for 2023 !!!!

What no back windshield wiper? I need that especially when rain hits heavy this might be a no.

can you elaborate on how you have concluded that subaru is eligible for the tax credit? Its not listed on the IRS website.

I don't see how they're trying to move off the dependance on fossil fuels, if the MSRP is almost 50K. That's near luxury car price.

I asked the salesman if i can test drive this during my next forester checkup and was disappointed to hear that all the solterra were recalled here in Japan due to the wheel bolts coming off issue recall (same issue on the toyota). Really wish they would just make an electric forester tbh.

I'm A 6 footer and recently drove an IONIQ5. The position of the steering wheel completely blocked my view of the instrument cluster and thus disqualified the car from my consideration. Did you have any issues with visibility of the spedometer, etc in the Soltera?

Yes, but a rear wiper is used to clean dirt and grim off too ... not just wipe the rain away.

It looks like Subaru just took the Toyota model, added some ground clearance, and put in the X-Mode button. No Eyesight? No storage in the front? Loyal Subaru fans won't be impressed.

Love that color. I think this car is for outdoorsy people. Mountain bikers, hikers, campers. I just ordered one.

How can I get the $400? I own a 2023 Subaru soltera touring

When mine went to order the dealer said it will be another $2500 plus’s for “market adjustment “ Also told at least an hour to fast charge or 9 hours at level 2. Highway range well below 190 so my trip I take from northern to southern ca will add 3 hours of sitting in Walmart parking lot waiting to charge. At over 60k this car makes no sense.

i didn’t click on the toyota review. i heard more about the toyota in the video than the actual subaru

Good choice

My wife and I stopped in our Subaru dealer in Bangor, ME just to get a feel for the Solterra. At first glance it looked impressive, then I opened door and sat down. Like other commenters we both found the cockpit cramped and too busy. It felt nothing like a Subaru and when we learned of it's Toyota pedigree that answered the question. We like the feel of Subaru, not Toyota. Hopefully Subaru will design and build it's own EV, then we will consider it.

The only thing I dislike about this car is the plastic cladding

I wanted to give some serious thought to ordering a Solterra. I have owned two Subaru models and one is my present car a Legacy. I love the car for all the amazing features including the Eye-Sight System which has come in handy several times. However it is scary when you consider a few issues such as the safety systems are from Toyota which may work well however I know first hand how efficient they perform in my Legacy. Insurance is much higher on a Solterra. Living in California the charging stations are a challenge use as someone is waiting for the same thing. And it will take over an hour? Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. When Honda introduced the Element with non-painted panels it was just ugly. Then they became one body color and the popularity was much improved. For a few years anyway. The Solterra should be fully painted especially at $53 300for the Touring model. As far as the interior I don't know who got a deal on piano black trim but...it's impractical and butt ugly. So lousy range...long charging times...a questionable choice of paint and trim...and maybe pay thousands over sticker? Or stay with a Legacy or Forester with 0% financing around invoice price? Guess going green costs more than I can afford. Great and concise video and I will stay with Subaru. Just not an electric one. Now if they offered an efficient hybrid...

No rear wiper is a game changer in the northeast. You absolutely need a rear wiper for salt spray in the winter

Love it except for the range charging and price…. My first car was a Subaru I don’t think my next one will be Solterra.

Toyota is eligible for a rebate in Canada and in Quebec you get also one. Minus 12 000 $ for a Toyota.

is that a Toyota bz4

Off road capability I’m not to sure. I have a 2014 forester with good clearance. So what happens if you’re off-roading and sharp rock and it damages the battery who pays for that? Thanks for your honesty.

Current car is a Subaru, next car will be an EV in 3 years. Was hoping that it would also be a Subaru but not with that range and charging speed.

Wow ! Color red car !

This is the Pontiac Aztec of the future.

I really didn’t like the car when I saw the preview images, but in real life, it looks really good. I think I’ll wait for the second gen when they make some improvements on the things they’ve missed.

This thing starts at 46 grand. Eventually, someone will price an EV for what it's worth --- 60% fewer parts --- 90% fewer moving parts --- Essentially a shiny golf cart wedded to an oversized cellphone. The Nissan Leaf comes close -- at least until USA tax breaks end. Regular drivers need regular cars -- not a 46 grand dog and pony show.

So, it’s a BYD car with a Subaru badge on the front. ?? Just like the Toyota’s

212 hp seems a little weak? The Hyundai is 248hp. Tesla is 330. Kia is similar to Hyundai

Thank you for the video. I will continue with my old forester. I can tow up to 2 t. Range up to 1000 km. Full of tank in 5 min.✌

Hopefully it doesn't have the Cursed Achilles heel windshield like my 2022 outback wilderness does. 2 windshield replacement 5 months. I'm guessing a bug may of hit it this time or a ghost because it just appeared while car was parked.

He didn't say the range; he only said it was limited. How could you not mention how many miles it gets?

EV's haven't progressed much in 2 years. My 2020 Leaf 62 kWh has the same power. The same range. 0 - 60 is 6.7 secs.

That depressing grey or death black is from 1990. Furthermore there is no spare tire

Agreed. More UTILITY, less Sports. Nobody does hard plastics better than Ford. They wipe clean. They don't turn into sticky goo.

Too expensive for what Subaru is offering.

A Chevy Bolt at have the price is 90% as good.

This guy is daddy. 🥺

FYI, the Solterra doesn't qualify for the $7,500 tax credit because it's not assembled in the US.

@Brian Cohen, I'm right there with you. I've been driving Subarus for 17 years and currently have 2 in my garage. The Solterra is an absolute failure, and it hasn't even been released in the US yet. Last generation charging technology and abysmal short range = horrible return on investment. I won't buy a first gen either. I am brand loyal, but not this model, no way.

Plenty of leg room in the back but your knees look a little high.

Don't forget IT DOESN'T HAVE A GLOVEBOX!!!

I just ordered an NX350H for 47g including all taxes.....luxury compared to that box

I can still buy 2 foresters for the price of one of these.........Still a bit of a Rich Mans toy.............Paul

No rear wipers, no glovebox is a no for me.

LOL the no rear wiper and glovebox is hilarious... Subaru really is going downhill fast. What dumbass is making these decisions...

6,6kwh AC Home Charge is low! Our BMW i3 bought in 2018, had 11kwh AC from it’s debut in 2013, nine years has passed. Our Home wallbox provide 11kwh from a 3phase * 16A. Should we accept half the throughput with BZ4X/Solterra. I have read that Subaru will provide 11kwh AC from October 2022. More: 4WD will only support 100kwh DC while BZ4X 2WD with another battery manufacturer 150kwh DC. Strange. Anyways: The Subaru will have the best quality reputation and 220 miles should be more than sufficient for 95% of the customers. Ground clearance and their legacy on 4WD is good reasons for choosing the Solterra in 4 seasons climate. Like in North America. Or Norway.

Extremely limited range! What were they thinking? Would not risk going off road with this limited range disaster.

Nothing about charging speeds

I don’t want nothing to do with Toyota,Period! Stick with my Outback any day!

I like the looks and specs of this EV, not the price of $46,200 for the BASE model?!?! But you get tax credits. Um no I don't. I'm on disability. I don't pay income tax anymore. One other thing, EVs need charged. Ever question where that power comes from? Sorry but both EVs and fossil fuel vehicles will pollute somewhat. Here in the US, we pollute less than the rest of the world. So, pick whatever vehicle you want, just drive responsibly in both not wasting fuel and how safe you drive.

I just gave my deposit, it went from 53220 to 57400 😳.

Looks like a lemon in my opinion

Suburu designs the UGLIEST cars on the road. This new EV looks are awesome.

I have one reserved but don't think I'm going to take it. It's too expensive, too much plastic, short range, and long charging time. I've driven Subies for years but can't see how the extra $20K more than my 30 mpg larger Outback is worth it.

Still cant understand why this vehicle doesnt have a glovebox

Cause of the BLACK PIANO finish inside, I WILL NOT BUY THIS CAR

Expensive I thought Subaru is supposed to be the cheapest way to get into a 4wd. 44000 your better off buying a ford lightning same price

Very disappointed and over priced ! Maybe they will come out with an electric Forester.

I really might just wait til subaru releases their own EV, nothing about this car is subaru. Every other Subaru model (even the hybrids) actually has Subaru built in. This is just a rebranding Toyota. You could slap a different badge on an no one would notice. It’s a nice EV overall but I think Subaru was just desperate to catch up to everyone else and just took an off the shelf Toyota instead of taking the time to design their own car the right way. The price is not as bad as people will say when you look at other EVs in the market, but this is definitely lacking in some areas. They have the room for a faster charger but they didn’t utilize it. Under an hour at a DC fast charger is okay but with a 220 mile range you definitely think you could get it down to half an hour. Overall it’s a really good car, but just not ready for the subaru badge.

I stopped the video when I saw the humungous center console. No thanks. I dislike the feeling of being boxed in as a driver. I want the cockpit to be more open. It's a HORRIBLE auto design trend ... wish it would go away.

Paint the primer front fenders. It looks like Crap

Every button he pushes shortens the range by the miles. Keep it up you won't get out of the driveway.

horrible. This is not Subaru standard.

Synthetic leather? You mean cheap Vinyl

That plastic cladding. Just no. Make it stop.

He calls this off road road 🙄 🤣

This might be the worst value in a new EV

That is the ugly ass screen in the toyota avalon

It doesn’t fit in .. it’s just too little

Subaru didn’t disappoint : continues to make ugly cars 😒

Another FAIL. For 50 grand it better charge in 20 minutes and go 450 miles in all weather. Not even close.