Huge enhancements in all the appropriate locations for 2026

When Subaru’s first electrical automotive launched in late 2021, the Solterra had one thing of an issue: It wasn’t precisely aggressive in any of the key elements that EV patrons sometimes search for. Its 220-mile vary and 215-horsepower output have been middling at greatest when in comparison with autos just like the Tesla Model Y. Its quirky styling did not precisely assist, both.

For 2026, Subaru is giving the Solterra a major up-do. Do not name it a reboot, because it’s nonetheless very a lot the identical SUV as earlier than, however with extra vary, extra energy and higher tech (although we’re nonetheless ready on the pricing). The result’s a way more compelling automotive. Now, with Tesla’s worldwide attraction falling to an all-time low, which takes the Mannequin Y off the desk for a lot of patrons, Subaru’s first EV feels prefer it’s lastly discovered its time to shine.

Extra of what you need

I am the primary particular person to inform a possible EV purchaser that vary just isn’t the primary criterion they need to be contemplating when EV procuring. There are lots of extra necessary elements that affect your high quality of life each day than what number of charging stops you will must make in your annual highway journey. Nonetheless, when the unique Solterra was doing 220 miles on a cost, whereas the Tesla Mannequin Y did nicely over 300, that made the factor a little bit of a tough promote.

Fortunately, the 2026 Solterra will get an enormous bump in that division, as much as 288 miles on a cost. It’s not class-leading by any means, however as somebody who’s lived with EVs for years, I can confidently say that is loads of juice to get rid of vary anxiousness for many.

Impressively, the brand new Subaru does that on a battery pack that is barely any greater: 74.7 kWh vs. 72.8 earlier than. The place does the additional vary come from, then? Subaru and Toyota engineers (this automotive is mechanically similar to the 2026 Toyota bZ) deployed a raft of delicate enhancements that lead to substantial effectivity, every part from aerodynamic tweaks to up to date electronics and new motors.

When it is time to plug in, the Solterra and the Mannequin Y can now use the identical chargers. For 2026, the Solterra switches over to a Tesla-style NACS port, although the automotive comes with adapters for utilizing J1772 and CCS ports. Outright charging pace is up by 50 % over final yr’s automotive, however that solely equates to a most charging fee of 150 kW. Once more, it’s an enormous enchancment, however not class-leading.

It will possibly at the very least burn these electrons extra shortly. Outright energy is up, with the Solterra now placing down 338 horsepower by means of all 4 wheels on the XT trims, a pleasant increase from the outdated automotive’s 215.

Huge show, large security

All these updates are good, however potential patrons will likely be extra instantly wooed by a totally rethought dashboard format that is nonetheless quirky however considerably much less awkward than earlier than. A brand new, 14-inch touchscreen dominates proceedings, providing you with fast and easy accessibility to every part from navigation to media playback. It serves as a beneficiant canvas for both Android Auto or Apple CarPlay, each of that are supplied wirelessly.

There’s not one however two wi-fi charging pads to maintain your units juiced whereas slinging tunes and navigation, plus a pair of USB-C ports within the second row for passengers. With 60 watts of output, back-seat productiveness hounds can maintain happily typing away even when they forgot their adapter.

They’re going to be snug, too. There is a good quantity of headroom and legroom within the rear seat, plus 23.8 cubic ft of cargo area within the rear.

In terms of preserving everybody secure, the brand new Solterra affords Subaru’s EyeSight system commonplace, together with automated emergency braking, adaptive cruise management and a lane-centering system. I acquired a very good likelihood to pattern these methods within the more and more heavy site visitors in and round Denver, Colorado. The adaptive cruise introduced the automotive to a whole cease and resumed by itself when site visitors got here to a crawl, whereas the lively lane-keep system ensured the Solterra stayed centered.

The drive

For my day behind the wheel of the brand new Solterra, Subaru offered me with a mannequin in top-shelf Touring XT trim, the best efficiency. That meant I acquired to pattern the automotive’s full 338 horsepower, however I’ve to confess that by way of acceleration, the factor nonetheless is not a rocket ship. It has the moment torque of an EV and is definitely fast, however the energy is delivered in a considerably extra relaxed approach than most of the peppier EVs available on the market as we speak.

That character continues all through the Solterra drive expertise. Steering is kind of sharp and responsive, however the suspension does not actually encourage any overly dramatic cornering antics. The traction and stability management methods shortly and abruptly kill all energy on the first trace of lack of grip. For a lot of Subaru lovers, that is simply when issues begin getting enjoyable.

It will not be a terror in your favourite gravel highway, however the Solterra is fairly competent when the asphalt ends. Subaru arrange a brief dust course, which was extra meander by means of the timber than correct expedition. Nonetheless, it proved the SUV succesful on the types of terrain a mass-market machine like that is liable to see.

By way of consolation and experience high quality, the Solterra dealt with most highway imperfections and bumps with out subject, however felt a bit harsh over greater stuff. There is not any actual wind noise or the like, making it a quiet and calm freeway cruiser, however a good bit of highway noise did come up by means of the suspension on rougher stretches of asphalt.

Wrap-up

In some ways, this improved Solterra appears like the electrical SUV that the model ought to have launched within the first place. Higher late than by no means. The massive increase in vary and efficiency, plus all the opposite tech and have upgrades, make for a considerably improved automotive. It nonetheless comes up a bit wanting the competitors from Hyundai or Tesla by way of key metrics that EV customers are likely to hyper-fixate on — notably vary — but it surely’s shut sufficient now to be judged on its different deserves. Fortunately, these deserves are good.

Replace, August 25, 2025, 11:14AM ET: This story was initially printed with a placeholder for the Solterra’s worth, which hasn’t but been introduced. When Subaru reveals the 2026 Solterra’s worth, we’ll replace this story.