Massive enhancements in all the correct 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 main components that EV patrons sometimes search for. Its 220-mile vary and 215-horsepower output had been middling at greatest when in comparison with automobiles just like the Tesla Model Y. Its quirky styling did not precisely assist, both.

For 2026, Subaru is giving the Solterra a big 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 enchantment 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 individual to inform a possible EV purchaser that vary will not be the primary criterion they need to be contemplating when EV purchasing. There are various extra necessary components that affect your high quality of life every day than what number of charging stops you will must make in your annual street 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 a giant 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 larger: 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 equivalent to the 2026 Toyota bZ) deployed a raft of delicate enhancements that lead to substantial effectivity, the whole lot 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 p.c over final 12 months’s automotive, however that solely equates to a most charging price of 150 kW. Once more, it’s a giant enchancment, however not class-leading.

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is up, with the Solterra now placing down 338 horsepower by all 4 wheels on the XT trims, a pleasant enhance from the outdated automotive’s 215.

Massive show, massive security

All these updates are good, however potential patrons will likely be extra instantly wooed by a totally rethought dashboard structure 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 the whole lot 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 preserve happily typing away even when they forgot their adapter.

They will be comfy, 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 the case of conserving everybody secure, the brand new Solterra gives Subaru’s EyeSight system customary, together with automated emergency braking, adaptive cruise management and a lane-centering system. I received an excellent probability to pattern these techniques within the more and more heavy visitors in and round Denver, Colorado. The adaptive cruise introduced the automotive to an entire cease and resumed by itself when 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 very best efficiency. That meant I received 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 actually fast, however the energy is delivered in a considerably extra relaxed method than most of the peppier EVs available on the market right now.

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

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

When it comes to consolation and experience high quality, the Solterra dealt with most street imperfections and bumps with out subject, however felt slightly harsh over larger stuff. There is no actual wind noise or the like, making it a quiet and calm freeway cruiser, however a good bit of street noise did come up by 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 enhance in vary and efficiency, plus all the opposite tech and have upgrades, make for a considerably improved automotive. It nonetheless comes up slightly wanting the competitors from Hyundai or Tesla by way of key metrics that EV consumers are inclined to hyper-fixate on — notably vary — however it’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.