When it comes to the EV field, having off-road chops is just not in their forte. Take a look at the Kia EV6, Ford Mustang Mach-E or Mercedes-Benz EQB, you get the sense they are more of road princesses and to take them off the beaten path would be a bad idea. And if you do want an EV that doesn’t mind getting dirty, the only ones available are the Rivian R1S and GMC Hummer EV, both that start well over $90,000. Thus, the 2024 Subaru Solterra has entered the chat, an active lifestyle EV for the active go-getter that likes to play outside.  

Sharing Is Caring

Building on the successful partnership that produced the BRZ and GR86, Subaru and Toyota have collaborated once more in the electric vehicle (EV) market. The result is the Subaru Solterra, which shares components with the Toyota bZ4X, despite its peculiar name. However, there’s a notable difference between the two: their all-wheel drive systems. Subaru discarded Toyota’s all-wheel drive system in favor of its own advanced symmetrical all-wheel drive technology. This change enhances the Solterra’s ruggedness, aligning it with the durability and performance Subaru owners anticipate and appreciate.  

Like the Wilderness models, the Subaru Solterra features an enhanced X-Mode system integrated into its all-wheel drive hardware. This system optimizes power delivery based on varying terrains and traction requirements, ensuring superior handling and stability. While it lacks a locking differential, the Solterra compensates with brake-based torque vectoring, which distributes power across its axles as needed.  

Modest Performer

The Solterra boasts a refined powertrain composed of two electric motors paired with a 65.4-kW battery, delivering a combined 215 horsepower and 249 lb-ft of torque. While this might not seem impressive for an EV, and the Subaru Outback can outpace it by a few tenths of a second in straight-line performance, the Solterra embraces a balanced approach to electrification. Achieving 0-60 mph in 6.5 seconds is still notably swift, showcasing its respectable performance. 

One downside of the Solterra is its relatively small battery pack. When fully charged, it offers just under 230 miles of range. Charging times can also be a drawback. Using a Level 3 charging station, it takes about an hour to reach 80% charge, while a Level 2 station can take around 9 hours for a full charge. In our experience, using a Level 2 charging station, the Solterra charged at 3.2 kW and took over 8 hours to replenish just 30% of its battery. Charging times can vary depending on the station’s power output, as not all Level 2 chargers provide the same power. 

Too Much of the Same

When it comes to the interior, it is a nice setting with all the usual gadgets of a modern aged car – a big screen in the middle that supports wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto, a 360-degree view camera, a digital instrument cluster that displays your speed and a steering wheel with buttons that controls many things. Plus, the seats a decently comfortable, there is room in the back for passengers and when you pop the trunk, there is room to store your possessions. Unfortunately, there is no front trunk on the Solterra.  

What disappoints us most about the Solterra is its strong resemblance to the cross-sharing practices of GM in the 1990s and early 2000s, where vehicles were differentiated by little more than bumpers and badges. Subaru seems to have adopted a similar approach with the Solterra, making minimal efforts to distinguish it from the Toyota bZ4X, aside from the symmetrical all-wheel drive system. Apart from some variations in the headlights and taillights, the Solterra mirrors the bZ4X almost entirely. From the steering wheel to the instrument cluster, touch screen display to even the safety software, it is all Toyota.  

What truly sets the Subaru Solterra apart from the Toyota bZ4X is its advanced all-wheel drive system. For urban dwellers with a penchant for adventure, the Forester or Outback might still be the best choice for out-of-town escapades. However, for those residing in states with long, snowy winters who are seeking an electric vehicle, the Solterra presents a compelling option. Priced at $54,425, it combines Subaru’s renowned all-wheel drive capability with the benefits of electrification, making it an attractive choice for those who need reliable performance in challenging weather conditions.