Dan spent many years covering the go-fast, look-good, get-loud corners of the automotive universe. First, he served as editor of enthusiast magazines AutoSound and Honda Tuning, then as executive editor at SEMA News, the publishing arm of the trade group that produces the annual SEMA Show (yes, that show). As a contributor to Edmunds, he now likes to keep the volume low and the speed limit legal, providing expert car-shopping advice to drivers looking for the perfect match.
Pros
Standard all-wheel drive
Comfortable ride
Light-duty off-road ability
Several advanced driver aids come standard
Cons
Not much range compared to rivals
Difficult to find a natural-feeling driving position
What's new
Faster charging times
Limited hands-free driving capability
Standard roof rails
Part of the first Solterra generation introduced for 2023
Overview
It took a while for Subaru to join the EV ranks, and it took a partnership with Toyota to make it happen, but the 2024 Subaru Solterra is a decent first foray into electric motoring. Now in its second year of production, the Solterra gets a few upgrades to boost its appeal, including quicker charging and extra driver assist features. The Solterra's limited range still relegates it to a mid-pack EV choice, useful for local driving but limited in all-around utility. But uniquely Subaru priorities — standard all-wheel drive, off-road capability, advanced safety tech — give the Solterra an edge that most of its largely pavement-bound rivals lack.
Subaru Solterra EV Insights
Trim:
Solterra Premium
Range
227 miles
EPA Estimated Range
EV batteries lose 1-2% of range per year. Est. range for this car is 193 miles after 8 years.Electric cars typically experience 1-2% of range loss per year with slightly faster degradation over the first 50,000 miles as the car settles into its long term state, according to Recurrent's study of 15,000 EVs.
Estimated range mapThis map is a visual representation of the possible one-way and round-trips by this vehicle (on a full charge) from the geometric center of Columbus, Ohio. The depicted ranges are based on the estimated new vehicle range value provided by the EPA, rounded down to miles for one-way and miles for round-trip. Actual range will vary depending on the condition of this vehicle’s battery pack, how you drive, driving conditions and other factors.
SAE ComboStandard port for most electric models. Supports Level 1, Level 2, and DC Fast charging.
Plug Type
11 hrs
240V Home ChargingEstimated total charging time when using a 240V outlet. This is either a 3-prong or 4-prong outlet used for appliances, for example a clothes dryer.
EV batteries should be kept at 30-80% charged to extend battery life.
8 yrs or 100,000 milesThe federal government requires that EV batteries be warrantied for a minimum of eight years or 100,000 miles. The EV battery warranty includes replacement if your battery capacity drops below a certain percentage of the original capacity.
According to GeoTab’s data, if the observed degradation rates are maintained, the vast majority of batteries will outlast the usable life of the vehicle.
EV ownership works best if you can charge (240V) at home or at work This typically means a 240V home installation, but you could also have a similar setup at your office or other places your car is already parked for several hours each day. Don't expect a regular household outlet (120V) to suffice unless you've got a plug-in hybrid, in which case overnight charging at home is feasible.
If you can’t charge at home, charging at a charging station could take at least 10x longer than at a gas station With public charging infrastructure still in its infancy, the user experience can be maddeningly inconsistent. Tesla owners tend to rave about the reliability and speed of the company's proprietary Supercharger stations, but rival DC fast options have thus far been plagued by technical issues and overcrowding. It's an evolving landscape and our best advice is to do your research on the available options for the EV you want to buy.
Adding a 240V home charging system could cost up to $1,600 or more If your existing electrical service can handle the additional demands of EV charging, you may be able to add Level 2 charging at home for less than a grand, including installation. But your costs will multiply if you need to upgrade your electrical panel or add a dedicated circuit.
Among its notable changes for 2024, the Solterra cuts fast-charging time nearly in half. The wait to refill the battery from 10% to 80% on a DC fast charger now takes around 35 minutes, down from nearly an hour. Improved battery conditioning also allows for faster charging at below-freezing temperatures. And while it shortens the wait, the 2024 Solterra may also extend your patience. New driver assistance features include hands-free driving at up to 25 mph with automatic lane changing (just activate the turn signal), ideal for maintaining sanity in stop-and-go traffic. Front cross-traffic warning now also comes standard. Alas, the Solterra doesn't get any battery upgrades to extend past its 227 miles on a full charge. That's similar to the base range of several rivals, but most offer upgrades for more distance.
Competitors to consider
The field of electric hatchback-SUV mashups is getting crowded, led by models like the Hyundai Ioniq 5, Kia EV6, Ford Mustang Mach-E and Tesla Model Y. Most offer more range than the Solterra, at least as an option. But the Solterra offers something most don't. With 8.3 inches of ground clearance and very capable traction modes for dirt, mud and snow, the Solterra serves up the same adventurous, trail-ready spirit as gas-powered Subarus. The new Chevrolet Blazer EV is similarly tall, with almost 8 inches of clearance, but lacks the Solterra's sure-footed ability in rough stuff. For a Toyota flavor of the Solterra, see the bZX4, borne from a development partnership between Subaru and Toyota.
Which Solterra does Edmunds recommend?
While the base trim comes nicely equipped, the Limited offers the better value. For a few thousand more than the base Premium, the Limited adds upgrades including a larger touchscreen, power-adjustable front seats, heated rear seats, a heated steering wheel, and a surround-view camera that make the drive just a little nicer. There's a small sacrifice, though. The Premium's 20-inch wheels reduce total electric range to 222 miles, compared to the base trim's 227 miles.
Subaru Solterra models
The 2024 Subaru Solterra is an all-electric SUV offered in three trim levels: Premium, Limited and Touring. A 72.8-kWh battery pack powers two electric motors that generate a combined 215 horsepower and 249 lb-ft of torque. The Solterra is all-wheel-drive with a range of 227 miles on the Premium trim level. Standard 20-inch wheels reduce range to 222 miles on the Limited and Touring trims.
Premium
The base trim comes equipped with features including:
18-inch alloy wheels
Roof rails
LED headlights
Windshield wiper de-icer
Keyless entry and start
Dual-zone automatic climate control
Cloth upholstery
Heated front seats
60/40-split folding rear seats
Leather-wrapped steering wheel
8-inch center touchscreen
Cloud-based navigation (subscription required)
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto (with wireless connectivity)
Six-speaker audio system
Remote control and monitoring via a smartphone app
Standard advanced safety features include:
Forward collision mitigation (warns you of an impending collision and applies the brakes in certain scenarios)
Blind-spot warning (alerts you if a vehicle in the next lane over is in your blind spot)
Adaptive cruise control (adjusts speed to maintain a constant distance between the vehicle and the car in front)
Lane keeping assistance (makes minor steering corrections to help keep the vehicle centered in its lane)
Low-speed hands-free driving mode (combines adaptive cruise control and lane keeping assistance for hands-free driving up to 25 mph)
Automatic reverse braking (applies the brakes automatically to avoid an imminent collision with an object behind the vehicle)
Front cross-traffic alert (warns of potential collisions in intersections)
Emergency steering assistance (enhances the forward collision mitigation system with steering-based collision avoidance)
Limited
Builds on Premium features with:
20-inch wheels
LED foglights
Power liftgate
Rain-sensing wipers
Power-folding mirrors
Synthetic leather upholstery
Power-adjustable front seats with driver's seat memory
Heated rear seats
Heated steering wheel
12.3-inch touchscreen
Wireless charging pad
11-speaker Harman Kardon audio system
Additional driver assist features include:
Surround-view camera system (gives you a top-down view of the vehicle and its surroundings for tight parking situations)
Semi-automated parking system
Rear cross-traffic warning (alerts you if a vehicle behind you is about to cross your path while you're in reverse)
Touring
Tops off the Solterra lineup with:
Panoramic sunroof
Ventilated front seats
Interior ambient lighting
Digital rearview mirror (allows you to see out of the back even with a fully loaded cargo area)
MSRP is subject to change and varies based on availability, trim level, option packages, and retailer-installed accessories. MSRP excludes destination and delivery charges, tax, title, registration, and other fees. Retailer sets actual price. See your retailer for details. 2024 Subaru Solterra Touring shown has an MSRP of $51,995.
2023 Subaru Solterra Limited 4dr SUV AWD (electric DD)
Dual electric motor drivetrain (AWD) gives the Solterra instant traction and torque, allowing for a quick hole-shot, while also being very smooth (acceleration/braking) and comfortable (suspension damping). Leased the poverty (base) "premium" trim, because in addition to the $7500 instant credit, the dealer also discounted the price by $1500 off MSRP. The manual cloth seats are … comfortable for the Florida climate. Air conditioning (HVAC) works well, and the visibility is good. Biggest disappointment is the infotainment system. Coming from the iDrive system in our BMW, the Toyota/Subaru software/hardware is a huge letdown. Toggling between touchscreen menus is cumbersome (versus BMW's round dial and controls), and there is no one-pedal driving feature. The S-Pedal button on the console will slow the Solterra fairly well, but not to a complete stop. Also, the S-Pedal feature can't be used when the battery is nearly full. The steering wheel paddle controls for braking (deceleration) give mild regeneration... wish the paddles could give true one-pedal drive.
Our dealership (salesman) wasn't knowledgeable about the Solterra's battery and infotainment systems. Make sure to do your own extensive research on the vehicle's features and functions before buying. Hopefully our dealership experience isn't common across the USA. Don't let the salesperson connect your phone to the Solterra (using the "Connect" app). We regret this. It is extremely difficult to reverse this decision. If you have an iPhone, just connect it yourself and use the CarPlay app. No need to use the Solterra Connect app, unless you want those specific functions. Please research first!
Concerning the exterior design, I'm not a fan of the big, black plastic panels that Subaru is using on many of their models. However, we like the Solterra for its functionality. It is extremely comfortable to drive, has plenty of cargo room in the hatch (even though our "premium" trim has a manual liftgate!), gives smooth and quick acceleration, and most of the safety features can be customized/adjusted to your preference. For example, you can turn down the volume level or mute most of the safety "nannies", and some of the functions can be turned off if you don't like them. One downside to the controls... every time the vehicle is powered on, you have to select brake regeneration/S-Pedal functions, the Solterra doesn't remember your previous choice. Also, the pre-collision feature defaults to "on" at every startup. In order to eliminate the "reverse warning buzzer", the Solterra has to be taken to the dealer service for "mute" setting (we will be doing this). Subaru/Toyota should allow the driver to select/deselect this function. I don't want to hear a backup beeper inside the cabin every time I drive in reverse!
Our "Premium" trim Solterra came with wheel covers, which I removed because I prefer to see the dark gray/black alloy wheels underneath instead. However, the decorative center caps are missing, which I'll need to order (this should be a standard inclusion by Subaru!).
One feature I really miss from our BMW X3 is the Harman Kardon audio system. In order to get the HK audio, you will have to buy/lease either the "Limited" or "Touring" trim of the Solterra. The base 6-speaker system in our "Premium" trim is adequate, but not up to this audiophile's standards. I wish car manufacturers would include a wide spectrum equalizer in every (audio system) head unit.
Overall, I really enjoy driving the Solterra. My main gripe is with the lackluster infotainment/audio system. However, I'm excited for the future of EVs. This Solterra is our first EV, and I hope that the Subaru/Toyota joint venture will listen to customer feedback during development of future models.
FYI: this is my initial first week review. Updates to come on range and efficiency...
Update 7/12/2023: Returned "Premium" trim because of dealer error on lease contract. Leased "Limited" trim from a different dealer. So far, electricity cost is $0.03 per mile to power Solterra (strictly charging at home with supplied 120V cable). Enjoying the Limited trim upgrades: Light Gray & Blue interior, Power Liftgate, 12" screen, Surround View Camera system and Harman Kardon (HK) audio. However, the HK system isn't as high quality as the BMW X3 HK system because of different DSP/amp and the failure to include a full-spectrum equalizer to fine-tune the audio output. In addition, I've noticed a firmer ride and elevated noise levels attributed to the 20" wheels on the Limited trim. My previous "Premium" trim lease Solterra had the 18" wheels, which gave a notably softer and quieter ride. This is the typical trade-off between trims when upgrading to the larger wheel/tire package. Although I prefer the look of the 20" wheels, my ride preference is the 18" size. As for the EV battery range shown on the driver display: at full charge, the display will show 277 miles of range with the HVAC off. However, when I turn on the HVAC air conditioning, the range immediately drops to 205 miles on the display. Since my vehicle is driven in Southern Florida, the 205 miles has been a fairly accurate range with the AC running constantly every day. Although, I have not tested the limits of the range displayed by running the battery down to 0% charge. Typically, I keep the battery range available between 50 and 200 miles. If you regularly drive long distances of 200 miles or more, then the Solterra is probably not the best fit for convenient transportation. However, if the majority of your driving is short commutes and trips of less than 100 miles, the Solterra is a relatively efficient EV choice.
One pet peeve: at startup, the display always asks for "Profile" settings, which I "Dismiss" and let the system default to "Guest" settings. This may be due to the fact that I don't use the Solterra Connect app. However, the infotainment system does hold the settings I have previously programmed. Toyota/Subaru needs to improve the user experience with their new infotainment software. Specifically, the display takes too long to refresh at startup, and the vehicle owner/user should not have to subscribe to their app in order to program/save individual settings and use the OEM navigation software. Full capability to customize the display interface and user settings should be available to the owner/customer without an app subscription and constant prompts to change user settings.
Overall, I'm happy with my Solterra experience. Toyota/Subaru needs to improve the following:
1. Infotainment software usability and startup speed
2. HK audio system quality (need better DSP and full-spectrum equalizer)
3. Noise level in Limited trim (need acoustic glass and more sound-deadening materials)
4. Ventilated seats should be included in Limited trim
5. Discontinue requirement of app subscription to use full capability and customize settings
6. Replace "piano-black" trim with wood-grain veneer and/or matte finishes
7. Increase battery range for long-distance trips
8. Add battery charge percentage indicator on driver display
9. Allow S-pedal to be true one-pedal driving (more aggressive braking control) w/full stop
10. Update software to allow full-range brake regeneration with paddles on steering column
A fine entry into the EV arena
4 out of 5 stars
Buck, 09/28/2023
2023 Subaru Solterra Touring 4dr SUV AWD (electric DD)
Have had a touring model for 9 months. It has performed flawlessly. Have set charging to 80%. Without Ac we experience 220 miles per charge. Live in Florida, so air conditioning is a must. With AC we get 170 miles per charge. As we use this car for inner city to close regional purposes, we do not use fast chargers. At home we use a level 1 charger, which is really a trickle charger. We … charge overnight and find the long charge time not inconvenient. When purchased, the car came with a charging cable. Some manufacturers want the customer to purchase the cable separately, which I liken this as someone wanting me to buy a toaster without the cord to make it work.
The 360 feature along with other safety features is very helpful, particularly in close quarter parking lots. The two person driving seat position feature is well liked by both me and my wife. We are of different heights. The driver’s seat adjusts to our needs with no effort.
If there is any complaint, it does not have anything to do with the quality of the car. Any car that I have owned that had built in navigation I did not have to pay to continue use of that feature. This car came with a 1 year introductory subscription for use of the navigation feature. I understand I will need a further subscription after the end of the year and that it will cost a healthily sum of $16/month.
We charge at home and find it costs about 3.5 cents per mile to operate. A car getting 30 miles per gallon at $3.00/gal is 10 cents per mile, if I have my math right.
Subaru has a good reputation for taking care of its customers and my experience so far is along that line. For those interested in an EV, I recommend the SOLTERRA for consideration.
Very capable!!!
5 out of 5 stars
Minnesota driver, 09/10/2023
2023 Subaru Solterra Premium 4dr SUV AWD (electric DD)
Love this car. Had it for over a month and changed from Outback to Solerra last min. This car handles amazingly. Best ground clearance. It has excellent acceleration. Another Subaru owner was impressed with how much it can carry with the back hatch being wide. Range can go much farther than 230 with no A/C. Closer to 294 miles per charge.
Con. The trade off for the ground clearance … is the battery pack and vertical rear leg room. Has plenty of horizontal leg room. Also may not have Panasonic battery but CATL. Doesn't qualify for tax benefits.
Amazing full-package AWD !!!
4 out of 5 stars
Satisfied Solterra owner, 11/24/2023
2023 Subaru Solterra Limited 4dr SUV AWD (electric DD)
Ok, so range is not the greatest. But with a level 2 home charger, it is more than enough for most needs. I think even the longest-range EV’s on the market today are still a hassle for long trips anyways. With have a top of the line Impreza for those occasions. Still the good news about the Solterra is, it’s a great car! Fun to drive, VERY solid feel, plenty of power too. Above all, we … feel safer in it than all the other cars in the same price price range we tried before purchasing. And many of them were just front pull where you have a true AWD drive with the Solterra, an SUV with the ground clearance to match. Also, I must be the only one on the planet that agrees with the reverse chime. I mean, EV’s are SO quiet, I like to have confirmation that I am in reverse. With a standard car, you have the proverbial transmission clunk sound confirming, so I do like that chime in the Solterra. One annoyance, winter tires are EXPENSIVE in 20’’ size, like double the price of 18’’…in closing, absolutely no regrets, and I do get many compliments. However someone posted that the interior looks cheap, look at the competition! It is a matter of taste. Like a few other EV’s the look from inside is minimalist. I personally would have preferred a more standard interior, as I have never liked Toyota’s interior styling with complicated shapes, but it is not a deal breaker. Thanks for reading. Update Monday Nov 27th, major snow fall, the Solterra was stellar in those Continental Viking 7 snow boots!
We have a limited number of reviews for the 2024 Subaru Solterra, so we've included reviews for other years of the Solterra since its last redesign.
2023 Subaru Solterra First Look | Subaru's First All-Electric Vehicle | Price, Range, Interior & More
NOTE: This video is about the 2023 Subaru Solterra, but since the 2024 Subaru Solterra is part of the same generation, our earlier analysis still applies.
MSRP is subject to change and varies based on availability, trim level, option packages, and retailer-installed accessories. MSRP excludes destination and delivery charges, tax, title, registration, and other fees. Retailer sets actual price. See your retailer for details. 2024 Subaru Solterra Touring shown has an MSRP of $51,995.
Safety
Key safety features on the Solterra include:
Back-up camera
Blind Spot Monitoring
Lane Departure Warning
Alarm
Tire Pressure Warning
Stability Control
Pre-collision safety system
Post-collision safety system
NHTSA Overall Rating 5 out of 5 stars
The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.
Frontal Barrier Crash Rating
Rating
Overall
5 / 5
Driver
4 / 5
Passenger
5 / 5
Side Crash Rating
Rating
Overall
5 / 5
Side Barrier Rating
Rating
Overall
5 / 5
Driver
5 / 5
Passenger
5 / 5
Combined Side Barrier & Pole Ratings
Rating
Front Seat
5 / 5
Back Seat
5 / 5
Rollover
Rating
Rollover
4 / 5
Dynamic Test Result
No Tip
Risk Of Rollover
11.6%
IIHS Rating
The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.
Subaru launched its first all-electric vehicle, the Solterra, just last year in collaboration with Toyota. But neither the Solterra nor its Toyota bZ4X counterpart has been flying off dealer lots, so it comes as no surprise that Subaru is introducing new upgrades that make the 2024 version even more enticing.
At the top of the list is improved charging performance; Subaru says the lithium-ion battery can now charge from 10% to 80% in about 35 minutes. The 2023 model would take roughly an hour at a fast-charging station for the same result. Solterra owners in colder climates will also benefit from an updated battery conditioning system that can help charge the car up to 80 minutes faster in below-freezing temperatures, says Subaru. The Solterra's unique regenerative paddles remain, now framed by a redesigned squared-off steering wheel.
Edmunds spotlight: More upgrades than you might think
But there are even more changes that you can't see. The Solterra's EyeSight driver-assistance system adds a front cross-traffic alert this year, along with "driver-supported, hands-free” driving at speeds of 25 mph or lower. In hands-free mode, drivers can activate a turn signal and the EV will change lanes automatically. This isn’t just a first for the Solterra, but a debut feature for Subaru's entire lineup.
Another new feature that matches the Subaru brand quite well is the addition of standard roof rails rated at up to 700 pounds of static load capacity. Subie fans who like to take their vehicles out overlanding could potentially assemble a tent on top of the roof and camp off the ground.
For a base Premium version of the Solterra, pricing starts at $46,430, including destination fees. Working up the trim range, the price of the Limited and Touring variants will retail for $49,840 and $53,340, respectively. Subaru says the 2024 Solterra qualifies for federal tax credits of up to $7,500 for some owners, a nice carrot to attract new customers that wasn't available on last year's model.
Competitors to consider
The Solterra's upgrades for 2024 undoubtedly make it more competitive than last year's model, but there are numerous electric vehicles in this price class that give you more bang for your buck. Our favorite is the retro-inspired Hyundai Ioniq 5, though the Ford Mustang Mach-E is a close second. The Kia Niro EV is also worth a look and costs a bit less, and the related Hyundai Kona Electric is new for 2024.
Edmunds says
Subaru has a handle on its customer base, and these improvements to the 2024 Solterra match the brand's target market very well.
FAQ
Is the Subaru Solterra a good car?
The Edmunds experts tested the 2024 Solterra both on the road and at the track. Edmunds’ consumer reviews show that the 2024 Solterra gets an average rating of 4 stars out of 5 (based on 14 reviews) What about cargo capacity? When you're thinking about carrying stuff in your new car, keep in mind that the Solterra has 23.8 cubic feet of trunk space. And then there's safety and reliability. Edmunds has all the latest NHTSA and IIHS crash-test scores, plus industry-leading expert and consumer reviews to help you understand what it's like to own and maintain a Subaru Solterra. Learn more
What's new in the 2024 Subaru Solterra?
According to Edmunds’ car experts, here’s what’s new for the 2024 Subaru Solterra:
Faster charging times
Limited hands-free driving capability
Standard roof rails
Part of the first Solterra generation introduced for 2023
To determine whether the Subaru Solterra is reliable, read Edmunds' authentic consumer reviews, which come from real owners and reveal what it's like to live with the Solterra. Look for specific complaints that keep popping up in the reviews, and be sure to compare the Solterra's 4-star average consumer rating to that of competing vehicles. Learn more
Is the 2024 Subaru Solterra a good car?
There's a lot to consider if you're wondering whether the 2024 Subaru Solterra is a good car. Our consumer reviews show that the 2024 Solterra gets an average rating of 4 stars out of 5 (based on 14 reviews). Safety scores, fuel economy, cargo capacity and feature availability should all be factors in determining whether the 2024 Solterra is a good car for you. Learn more
How much should I pay for a 2024 Subaru Solterra?
The least-expensive 2024 Subaru Solterra is the 2024 Subaru Solterra Premium 4dr SUV AWD (electric DD). Including destination charge, it arrives with a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of about $44,995.
Other versions include:
Premium 4dr SUV AWD (electric DD) which starts at $44,995
Limited 4dr SUV AWD (electric DD) which starts at $48,495
Touring 4dr SUV AWD (electric DD) which starts at $51,995
If you're interested in the Subaru Solterra, the next question is, which Solterra model is right for you? Solterra variants include Premium 4dr SUV AWD (electric DD), Limited 4dr SUV AWD (electric DD), and Touring 4dr SUV AWD (electric DD). For a full list of Solterra models, check out Edmunds’ Features & Specs page. Learn more