About Solterra
The Solterra was Subaru's first mass-production electric vehicle, and it came straight out of the company's partnership with Toyota. The two firms co-developed a battery-electric platform, and the Solterra is a close sibling of the Toyota bZ4X, with Subaru contributing its own suspension tuning, styling touches and the X-Mode traction system. True to brand doctrine, it comes with dual-motor all-wheel drive in most markets, which made it the obvious electric choice for Subaru loyalists curious about life without gasoline.
The Solterra launched in the early 2020s to mixed reviews. Critics liked its comfortable ride and solid build but criticized its modest range, slow DC fast charging and an early recall over wheel hubs that briefly halted sales of both it and its Toyota twin. Subaru and Toyota answered with updates that brought more power, better range and improved charging, narrowing the gap with stronger competitors. Sales have nonetheless swung sharply, with steep declines in some periods even as Subaru's overall electric sales grew.
The Solterra competes with electric compact SUVs such as the Hyundai Ioniq 5, Kia EV6, Chevrolet Equinox EV, Ford Mustang Mach-E, Volkswagen ID.4 and Tesla Model Y. It no longer carries Subaru's electric ambitions alone: it now sits alongside the Trailseeker and the smaller Uncharted, newer models born of the same Toyota partnership, which leaves the Solterra working to define its place within a family it once had to itself.
For used-car shoppers, the Solterra's early depreciation has turned it into something of a bargain, provided the range suits the commute and the charging stops along regular routes are reliable. Expect reviews, range and charging updates, pricing changes, recall notices and sales results here, along with broader coverage of how Subaru's electric strategy is evolving in markets from North America to Australia, and what the next generation of the Toyota partnership might bring.