Skip advert
Advertisement
News

New Subaru Solterra EV: pricing, range and release date

Subaru reveals the latest on its all-electric Solterra SUV

The upcoming Subaru Solterra will be the brand’s first fully-electric car and it’s set to launch in July this year. 

The Japanese firm has also revealed pricing for its electric SUV. Starting from £49,995, the Solterra will offer fresh competition for the likes of the Ford Mustang Mach-E and the Skoda Enyaq iV.

Advertisement - Article continues below

Sharing its mechanicals (and most of its body panels) with the new Toyota bZ4X SUV, the Solterra also gets the same 71.4kWh battery pack, and will be available with the same choice of two powertrains.

The entry-level Limited model will have a single-motor system, which produces 201bhp and 336Nm of torque and has a maximum range of 289 miles. Above that, there’s the Touring model which offers a dual-motor system with four-wheel-drive and a combined output of 215bhp. However, the extra energy demand on the battery means that the flagship’s maximum range drops to 257 miles.

In terms of performance the dual-motor Solterra can accelerate from 0-62mph in 6.9 seconds and will top out at 100mph. It also comes with an X-Mode AWD drivetrain setting, which Subaru says was designed for rough roads. The system can distribute the torque between the front and rear axles to provide the most grip possible.

Subaru says the Solterra’s 150kW fast charging capability allows for 20 to 80 per cent charging in 19 minutes. 

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

The Limited model gets 18-inch alloys as standard, along with adaptive cruise control, the X-Mode setting, heated seats front and rear, a 360-degree bird’s eye camera and digital rear view mirror. 

Advertisement - Article continues below

Go up to the Touring specification and you get 20-inch wheels, synthetic leather seats, a fixed panoramic roof, Harman Kardon sound system and wireless phone charging. 

The Solterra is 4,690mm long, 1,860mm wide and 1,650mm tall, which makes it around the same size as the current-generation Forester. The finished Solterra has also adopted some of the bold styling cues from the brand’s EV concept car that was unveiled in 2021.

For example, the huge black wheelarch extensions and sharp headlamps have both made their way on to the finished Solterra, although the angular front end has been toned down slightly, probably in the interest of pedestrian safety. 

Inside, the Solterra is similar to the Toyota bZ4x, with the two cars sharing the same digital instruments, high centre console and enormous Tesla-esque infotainment system in the centre of the dashboard. Boot space is also the same as the Toyota bZ4x’s at 452 litres.

This new EV will also help Subaru achieve its long-term emissions goals. By 2030, the Japanese manufacturer is aiming for all-electric and electrified vehicles to account for at least 40 per cent of its global sales.

Subaru started its shift towards electrification in 2019 by launching hybrid variants of the XV and Forester, the latter of which features the brand’s e-Boxer PHEV powertrain. By 2050, Subaru hopes to reduce average CO2 emissions from its new vehicles by 90 per cent from 2010 levels.

The brand had planned to launch an electric vehicle using an adapted version of its Global Platform this year, but this project has now been scrapped.

Now read all the latest news on the Subaru Solterra’s sister car, the Toyota bZ4X

Skip advert
Advertisement
Senior news reporter

A keen petrol-head, Alastair Crooks has a degree in journalism and worked as a car salesman for a variety of manufacturers before joining Auto Express in Spring 2019 as a Content Editor. Now, as our senior news reporter, his daily duties involve tracking down the latest news and writing reviews.

Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

Mazda, Toyota and Subaru join forces to develop new engines for hybrid cars
Toyota, Subaru and Mazda partnership

Mazda, Toyota and Subaru join forces to develop new engines for hybrid cars

The new engines will be compatible with fossil fuel alternatives like liquid hydrogen and synthetic fuel
News
30 May 2024
10 surprising things made by car companies, that aren't cars
Things made by car manufacturers - header

10 surprising things made by car companies, that aren't cars

The world’s biggest auto manufacturers have many strings to their bows...
Features
6 May 2024

Most Popular

New cars that plummet in value can make brilliant used buys
Opinion - Vauxhall Corsa-e

New cars that plummet in value can make brilliant used buys

Editor Paul Barker takes a closer look at our 2024 Used Car Awards
Opinion
20 Nov 2024
Best used cars to buy 2024
Best used cars 2024

Best used cars to buy 2024

From city cars to large SUVs, here’s our annual pick of the star performers that’ll save you thousands when you buy them used instead of new
Best cars & vans
22 Nov 2024
Jaguar concept car teased further in new image
2024 Jaguar badge teaser image

Jaguar concept car teased further in new image

The all-electric concept promises to have bold styling and showcases polarising new logo
News
22 Nov 2024