Available in 2022, the Subaru Solterra is revealed at the LA Auto Show
Showcased at the 2021 LA Auto Show, the 2023 Subaru Solterra EV SUV is the Japanese automaker’s first global all-electric vehicle. This compact crossover SUV is a collaborative venture with Toyota who offers the same EV labeled with the bZ4X model name. Officially debuting in Japan last week, the Solterra has now arrived in the United States with confirmed US specifications.
The Subaru Solterra is similar in appearance and performance as the upcoming Toyota bZ4X, but it has a more appealing name and some subtle Subaru style cues. Subaru claimed responsibility for tuning the all-wheel-drive system, which will be standard on all Solterra models sold in the United States. A front wheel drive version of the all-electric vehicle will be available in other countries outside of the US.
A 71.4-kilowatt-hour battery pack and two electric motors power the all-wheel-drive Subaru Solterra, which produces 215 horsepower and 246 pound feet of torque. That power can be distributed differently based on the driving mode, which includes four options: Eco, Normal, Power, and X-MODE, which aids the driver on uneven terrain by optimizing power to each wheel individually.
Subaru estimates a driving range of roughly 220 miles, which isn’t too shabby but also not that much. The company has not stated the size or capacity of the Solterra’s battery pack, but have confirmed that it is capable of DC fast-charging. In comparison, the global variant can charge up to 150kW, which allows the battery to reach about 80% in half an hour.
Pre-collision braking, lane-departure warning, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert are among the active safety features at hand. The Subaru Solterra also comes with Subaru’s new Safety Exit Alert, which alerts passengers if they’re about to open the doors into an object or pedestrian while parked. There is a ground clearance of 8.3 inches and a total passenger and cargo volume of 126 cubic feet.
There is no exact timetable for the US release of the 2023 Subaru Solterra but we would like to assume sometime mid-year in 2022. Pricing has not been announced but expect it to compete with other EVs in its class at around $37,000, depending on the trim, and customers can claim the EV federal tax credit of up to $7,500.