We do know quite a bit about the new Subaru Solterra which will be the very first electric vehicle offered by Subaru.
We know this vehicle will be a compact crossover SUV that offers an estimated range of 220 miles on a single full charge and that it will seat five comfortably. If you’re looking for a new electric crossover that can be right for your drive, wait until May and head to the local Subaru dealer to check out the new Solterra that will be offered for sale at that time.
A Joint Venture Once Again
The new Solterra will mark another collaboration with Toyota for Subaru. The Toyota brand is working on the new bZ4X, which will also be an electric crossover, and the Solterra will be mechanically similar. Does this sound familiar? It should; the Toyota 86 and Subaru BRZ are mechanically similar as well and came from a joint venture between these two companies. While this is a completely different set of items for the EV models, the two SUVs are ready to be successfully launched and offered as models for the 2023 model year.
The Name Tells You Where You Can Go
When you see the name Subaru Solterra, you’ll know the name tells you where it’s expected to be used. The Sol part of the name means Sun, and Terra means Earth, which tells you that you should be out exploring the planet while enjoying the sunshine. This is an electric vehicle that’s made to be driven out on the trails for some fun in the sun. Get ready to roam around wherever you want to go; the Solterra is made to live up to its name and take you out into the wilderness for some fun.
Get Ready for Driving Fun, Sort Of
We don’t know everything about this Subaru yet, and we haven’t had a chance to take it for a ride, but we do know it will have paddles to do something you don’t normally do with a vehicle. When we mention paddles, you normally think of using them to shift the gears, but the paddles in this SUV are made to help you adjust the amount of regenerative braking during your drive. The Solterra doesn’t come with a one-pedal mode, but you can regain much of the energy and have it sent to the batteries to enjoy longer driving distances.
The Future is Minimal
It seems that nearly every new vehicle we see in the market is coming to us with minimal design elements and more controls built into the large screens that are in the dashboard. The interior of the Subaru Solterra certainly gives you this appearance and the feeling you’re looking for. You’ll find plenty of storage in the door pockets and excellent space for everyone to feel comfortable when out for a drive. The flat load floor creates a 30-cubic-foot cargo area where you can store and carry all the gear you need to bring along during a drive.
The Style Works for the Brand
Most of the Subaru models we see are conservatively styled, allowing the performance and equipment of a vehicle to do the talking. The Solterra looks a lot like the new Toyota, bringing us the benefits of short overhangs and stance that makes it ready to drive. You’ll see a raked rear liftgate and black wheel-arch panels that wrap around the wheels to the front of the SUV. Enjoy the hexagonal front fascia, the low hood, and the impressive set of LED headlights that add a futuristic appearance to the front of this SUV.
It Wouldn’t be a Subaru Without This
As expected, you’ll have the benefits of the X-Mode Symmetrical AWD system when you drive the Subaru Solterra. This feature is an expected aspect of every Subaru model (with the only exception being the BRZ), and it will give you the traction and drive you need for all types of weather and terrain. Enjoy the driver-selectable modes that include Snow/Dirt and Deep Snow/Mud settings for your ride.
Look at that Massive Screen
Another conservative aspect of most Subaru models is the use of smaller touchscreens for the infotainment system. The Solterra does things differently with a 12.3-inch touchscreen that gives you a large area to control many aspects of the vehicle. You’ll have the benefits of Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a wireless smartphone charger that’s integrated into the center console. Check out the interface that allows you to use voice commands by simply saying “Hey Subaru” to start your request.
Some of the Features We Know About
We won’t have a complete list of the features of the Subaru Solterra until it’s closer to the release date, but we do know what some of the features will be. The X-Mode AWD will be aided by Grip Control which allows you to have a slow-speed off-road cruising system that makes it much easier for you to handle your drive on the toughest terrains in your area. You’ll have 8.3 inches of ground clearance in this SUV, with tons of protection for the batteries that are in the floor.
This is an SUV that will include many of the EyeSight safety items that help you stay out of trouble when you’re out on the road. Move up to the Premium trim, and you add 18-inch alloy wheels to the mix while the Touring model will ride on 20-inch alloys during its drive. The Touring trim also receives a digital key, 2-tone paint, and a panoramic roof.
Where Does the Power Come From?
All models of the Solterra will be powered by a pair of permanent-magnet electric motors that receive electricity from the lithium-ion battery pack. This power system gives you 215 horsepower and 256 lb.-ft. of torque to give you an estimated range of more than 220 miles on a single full charge. The batteries can be charged to 80 percent in about an hour using a high-output DC charger.
Will you wait until May to drive the Subaru Solterra electric SUV?
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