Don’t be fooled by the 2024 Subaru Solterra’s stunning exterior, with eye-catching trim, and shapely curves. Beneath the beautiful surface lies a skillful beast of an SUV. Despite its Toyota roots, Subaru shines through in the best of ways: the Solterra is capable, charming, and down-to-earth.
This 5-passenger fully electric SUV is, in fact, a resilient beast of burden that makes transporting any burden a walk in the park. Or better yet, a relaxing drive in the country. The Subaru Solterra and I were bonded once I took my first drive – driver to car, hands to wheel, wheels to road.
The Solterra quickly earned her moniker and became affectionately called the “beautiful beast.” The 2024 Subaru Solterra fully electric SUV is sure to awaken both the beauty and the beast mode of any driver who unleashes its spirit.
This story is 100% human-researched and written based on actual first-person knowledge, extensive experience, and expertise on the subject of cars and trucks.
Electric Charge to Get You Going Without Worry
With the ease of driving, simple yet elegant design, and capabilities, it was easy to forget this baby’s electric! The 2024 Subaru Solterra has a range of up to 227 miles on a full charge, the Solterra boasts 93 MPGe on the highway and up to 114 MPGe in the city, which is impressive fuel economy for an adventure-bound SUV that is also a guilt-free daily driver.
It doesn’t seem like a very high range for a car that starts at $44,995 and tops out at $51,995 – and it’s not compared to others in that price range – but it was perfect for zipping around town without burning a drop of gas.
It should be noted, though, that the 2024 Subaru Solterra no longer qualifies for the federal tax EV credit, thanks to overseas construction. However, it is available if you lease the car.
Now, back to charging: it was quick, easy, and cheap to charge thanks to an NACS port. The charging system has been upgraded for the 2024 model year with new battery management software and a more powerful battery heater. The DC fast-charge rate goes from 10-80% charged in just about 35 minutes.
Thanks to the thermal management system, the Subaru Solterra takes less time to charge in cold low temperatures.
So, What’s So Different Between the First and Second Model Year?
Aside from the 2023 Subaru Solterra being eligible for the federal tax credit while the 2024 model year is only being discounted when it’s leased, there’s quite a laundry list of positive changes to the new Subaru Solterra – including the thermal management system to make it easier to live with when temps drop.
All 2024 trim levels come with roof rails, and the “squircular” squared-off steering wheel for unobstructed viewing of the gauge display. Also standard on all trims are new EyeSight features like hands-free driving up to 25 MPH, lane change assist, and front-traffic alert.
DriverFocus mitigation system, which alerts distracted driving, is another standard safety inclusion. The Limited and Touring trims have been equipped with 8-way adjustable front passenger seats.
Thankfully, the prices haven’t changed in the new model year, either.
Read More: Driver Assist and Safety Features, or ADAS, Broken Down by Brand
Optimal Drive Performance in Every 2024 Subaru Solterra EV Comes With Optimal, Not Optional, Features
If you look at the 2024 Subaru Solterra’s webpage, it directly mentions its industry twin – the Toyota bZ4X – and states it comes “better equipped at a lower MSRP” than the Toyota. And for the most part, that’s true when looking at the list of standard features and optional equipment.
First, all three trim levels, the Premium, Limited, and Touring, are all-wheel drive only. The Toyota’s base-level trim comes with front-wheel drive. All trim levels also come with Subaru’s EyeSight tri-camera system and dual-function X-MODE, was made it easy to drive on sandy beaches. This is where the Subaru Solterra truly shines.
My favorite driving feature was the Active Cornering Assist, which makes handling curvy roads a dream. By directing braking power to the inside front wheel, you get a sharper turn with less turn of the steering wheel, resulting in higher cornering limits.
Let’s be frank, we want design, safety, and tech elements that we don’t have to add on as options, right? Fortunately, Subaru gets that and delivers. There are no optional features or packages for the Solterra EV, everything’s already built in. That just simplifies so much decision-making when buying a car, resulting in a beautiful experience.
I Enjoyed the Smart and Safe Driving at My Fingertips
The Solterra EV considers everything a driver would want and need for driver-assist and safety features.
At your fingertips on the steering wheel are driver-assist switches and infotainment controls. The steering itself has adaptive power assist, meaning it will self-adjust if you start to drift. And one light touch of the turn signal is all that’s needed to indicate a lane change.
The EyeSight system paired with other sensors and cameras added to my peace of mind, too. The rear-view camera alerts you to pedestrians, pets on leashes, and, as I experienced, wayward pigeons wandering around the parking space as I was backing in!
The blind-spot monitor gives you eyes on the sides of your car where your mirror might not capture the full view.
Safe exit assist watches for and detects approaching vehicles, cyclists, and pedestrians with a visual and audible warning so you and your passengers can open doors and get out safely.
The 4-wheel disc brake system with ABS in the 2024 Subaru Solterra EV is as smart as it gets. If you have to slam on the brakes, the Brake Assist is activated to apply maximum force to reduce braking distance and avoid collision.
Everyone and Their Dog Will Want to Ask About the Solterra
Get used to being stared at, both on the road and in the parking lot. Everyone wants to know what that beautiful car you’re driving is called.
Be warned, Subaru drivers and enthusiasts will appear out of nowhere and jump straight in the passenger seat, asking you to take them for a spin, wondering if this all-electric new version of their trustworthy beloved Subaru feels as good as it looks. Oh, how it does!
The exterior is so captivating you almost miss that it’s not just a beautiful driveway ornament. Details that immediately caught my eye, artfully signaling a beast lurking beneath the hood, were the air tunnels on either side of the front grille, a rear-gate “ducktail” spoiler, and lovely dark-tinted privacy glass.
Those curious asked about the 8.3-inch ground clearance that hinted at its sporty ruggedness, the elegantly set LED daytime running lights and headlights, plus power locks for all doors, the charging door, the cable lock, and other standard features, too.
The exterior paint color of the Touring model I drove was called “Harbor Mist Gray Pearl” – a lush creamy gray, having the appearance of permanently wet glossy paint. I’ve never been a fan of gray cars, but I swooned hard over this one. This is not your basic industrial gray – it’s a shiny industrious gray that says “I got this.”
I Was Taken Back by the Plethora of Interior Features and Cargo Space
The generous passenger and cargo space lends to the Solterra’s beauty, comfort, and capabilities. For legroom, the front passenger enjoys 42.1 inches, with 35.3 inches in the rear.
There are 23.8 cubic feet of cargo space with the back seats up and 63.5 cubic feet with the back seats down, and a flexible 60/40 split in that back row. When not loaded up for an adventure, you’ll find yourself and your passengers just happy to chill and hang out in the car, it’s that spacious and comfy.
The Premium trim comes with an 8” multimedia display, while in the Limited and Touring the multimedia display is 12.3”. There are two USB-A input ports, two USB-C charge ports in the front center console, automatic and individualized climate controls for the driver and passenger, and heated front seats. Both front and rear windows are powered with one-touch auto up and down, and the doors all have fitted space for water bottles.
In the back seat, you’ll find the rear console provides two more USB-C ports so everyone can stay charged up without crossing cords. And all three seats are equipped with latches and tethers for car seats, so you pick up the kids at school and head straight to the mountains. Phew!
A True Fierce Beauty, the Solterra EV Brings out the Best in the Driver
While hanging out in the spacious Solterra EV cabin was nice, the real test was the drive experience. This enchanting wild thing shines when she’s on the open road, especially when that road is curvy, steep, or affected by the elements.
A capable and confident car brings out a confident driver, and how can you not feel both beautiful and beastly when you’re seamlessly connected to the road and you know your car can handle it?
My face actually relaxed and my shoulders softened once we were driving. It wasn’t just on the open rural roads that I experienced a beautiful sense of calm even engaging in powerful beastly drive modes.
I also felt comfortable and relaxed driving around the city, braking for wayward pedestrians and pets, waiting for lights to change green, turning corners, and parking in spaces that might otherwise induce stress.
The 2024 Subaru Solterra EV indeed carries a smiling relaxed driver who, like the classy beautiful exterior, can unleash a confident beast within.
