The 2026 Subaru Solterra is Here to Prove Off-Road Ready EVs Can Be Cool, Comfy, and Capable
The Subaru Solterra debuted in 2022. Tweaks have resulted in improved aerodynamics, range, and creature comforts.
Subaru’s Solterra, which is a combination of the words “Sun” and “Earth” in Latin, originally was a shameless badge-swap from Toyota’s bZx4. The exterior design was only slightly different; the interior was almost identical to Toyota’s version, and had very little “Subaru” mixed in.
For 2026, the Solterra is a lot more Subaru-y. There are some similarities to Toyota’s new bZ, like the dual-wireless phone chargers and the shiny button by the media screen, but other than that, there’s a lot more of the brand’s mantra woven into the leather upholstery. Subaru hasn’t announced official pricing for the Solterra yet, but if it follows in the previous generation’s footsteps, it’s not likely to cost more than $43,000 at the top of the line.
Learning from previous generations, the Subaru Solterra comes with an improved aerodynamic design to help with range, an updated overall range (288 miles compared to 228), better charging, and exterior styling changes that make most (including me) do a double-take. Experiencing it in my home of Denver, Colorado, only helped cement my theory that these AWD all-electric SUVs will be everywhere.
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.
The Second Generation of the Subaru Solterra is Here to Impress
The Solterra trim lineup starts with the Premium. They all have a new dashboard design that incorporates a standard 14-inch touch screen multimedia system. It also has a digital driver display that is customizable. Two wireless chargers are standard, as is a power liftgate and heated front seats. The Solterra comes with Subaru’s StarTex synthetic upholstery, 18-inch wheels, and Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and more.
From the outside, the 2026 Subaru Solterra has a new grille, and it has some headlight washers too. It was also given a new side-view mirror that’s been reshaped after some wind tunnel testing, so not only does it look different, it’s more aerodynamic. The base model looks sharp and very EV-ish, but I loved the rear dual spoilers on the Limited trim and above.
The cosmetic updates aren’t the only changes. From a mechanical standpoint, there are significant updates you don’t see that add up to a more efficient Solterra. This includes a new motor setup that is lighter, and even a new oil pump and new oil that is more viscous. The Solterra has a new inverter and a smaller rotor case. The base trim of the Solterra has 233 horsepower and 288 miles of range, thanks to several unseen changes, like a lighter motor and an updated oil pump for the transmission.
Finally, the Touring XT has all the goodies, including a panoramic glass roof, ventilated front seats, radiant front leg warmer, available leather seating, a digital rearview mirror, available two-tone paint, and black exterior accents. It too has 338 horsepower and 278 miles of range.
READ MORE: The 2024 Subaru Solterra is a Beautifully Rugged All-Electric SUV
The Interior Is More Posh, Cozy, and Intuitive
The 2026 Solterra keeps the interior simple. It’s got most of what you need in the spot that makes sense. The 14-inch display is housed in a unit that doesn’t just operate the menus of the multimedia system; it’s got knobs on the lower corners so you can adjust the temperature without having to go into the screen.
It’s a pretty-looking detail that I would love to see copied for the stereo controls. The driver display is a bit further back on the dash, and I had to work a little to find the right spot in my line of sight so I could see all the information. It’s close enough to the windshield to bring to mind a head-up display. I didn’t have to look too far from the road to see the information I needed.
There is a cubby below the center console, and you can put large water bottles there, a purse or bag, or any medium-sized bit of gear you want easy access to. Another interesting design choice is the shape of the steering wheel. At first, I may have rolled my eyes at it, thinking it was gimmicky. It’s actually very comfortable, and I liked that it made the physical act of turning the wheel feel streamlined.
The gearshift is located in the center console, and it wasn’t intuitive at first to figure out how to use it (press down on the outside ring of the knob and twist into gear, press the ‘P’ button to park). Once I understood how it worked, it was easy to remember how to use it.
READ MORE: Toyota is Getting Serious About EVs, and the 2026 Toyota bZ Shows Just How Much
The New Solterra Not Only Charges Better, But Drives Better, Too
EVs are well known for their instant power, and the Solterra was no exception. Once in gear, the Solterra is ready to go. I took it easy on the drive out of downtown Denver; it was a good opportunity to just settle in behind the wheel. It had lovely in-town manners, nimble and quiet. The Solterra has good visibility out the windows, which is typical for the brand. When I got on the highway, I accelerated pretty aggressively, and the Solterra responded with a jolt of speed.
Off the highway on twisty roads, I tested the different drive modes and regenerative braking. Meaning, I switched from Eco mode to Normal mode to Sport mode. And then I used the paddle shifters to adjust the amount of regenerative braking. The regenerative braking system essentially captures energy from the brakes and stores it as power in the battery pack.
As a driver, I can decide how heavy or light (capturing more or less power) I want that brake to be by toggling the left and right paddle shifters. And I could really tell the difference between the levels of regeneration on the Solterra.
Like Its Gas-Powered Siblings, It Can Handle Itself Off-Road
What was unique about my first drive in the Solterra is that Subaru was not afraid to take us on rocky, washboarded dirt roads and even an off-road course. Yes! The Solterra has 8.3 inches of ground clearance, so it makes sense that Subaru would want us to know how far we could push things. Turns out, the Solterra handled the sandy washboards quite well. It remained balanced, and I felt in control.
I didn’t skid much except when I tried to, and the hairpin turns were a cinch. I actually preferred the comfort of the 18-inch wheels that came standard on the Premium trim. Higher trims get 20-inch wheels that look great, but they come at a sacrifice. All models come with all-terrain tires instead of all-season, to highlight their capabilities.
The Subaru Solterra has X-Mode on all its models, though the Solterra doesn’t have the multi-terrain monitor until the Limited trim. X-Mode has hill-descent control, which will keep the speed under a set mile per hour, so when you’re going downhill, you can take your foot off the brake and the car won’t speed away down the hill.
X-Mode also has Snow/Dirt/Mud modes and grip control for most of the issues you’ll encounter with the Solterra. Remember, it’s an EV, not a giant SUV, so no, you’re not doing major rock-crawling exercises. But you are getting up your slippery driveway, into the ski area parking lot, and probably also to work (sorry).
READ MORE: Both the 2025 Toyota RAV4 and Subaru Forester Hybrid Are Winners. But One is a Champ.
The New EV Comes With Subaru’s Latest Safety Tech
Subaru’s EyeSight safety features in the Solterra prevent accidents and include intersection collision avoidance, lane departure prevention, pre-collision brake assist, proactive driving assist, pre-collision acceleration suppression, emergency steering assist, lead vehicle start alert, dynamic radar cruise control with lane tracing assist, emergency driving stop assist, road sign assist, a front radar sensor, hands-free driving (with Active Navigation), automatic resume of driving (with Active Navigation), lane change assistance, and a front cross-traffic alert.
The Solterra also has rear cross-traffic alert, rear camera detection with pedestrian warning, safe exit assist, and blind spot monitors. The seating in the Solterra was good; I was comfortable all day. There are some side bolsters in the front seats that are supportive without being too aggressive.
The StarTex upholstery was soft, and the cushioning was supportive without being too hard. There are three seating positions in the second row of the Solterra, along with vents and charge ports. Higher trims have rear heated seats, too.
The Solterra is a Great Fit for a Variety of Buyers
Fundamentally, I appreciated the Solterra’s flexibility. The utility from the dual motors (AWD), added ground clearance, and X-Mode system boosted my confidence in going places that I would normally wince at in a lower ride.
The hill descent control and grip certainly made the Solterra feel more Subaru-y. Aside from its elevated ride height, it’s an EV that looks very much the part of an EV, but its SUV capabilities were fun to explore, and others will have fun with it, too.
Read More: The 2026 Kia Sportage Is Freshly Redesigned—and Shows Why The Top Trim Is So Popular
More About:Car Reviews Electric Cars SUVs