Ready To Compete Head-To-Head With the Best All-Electric Compact SUVs
Subaru entered the electric vehicle world in 2023 with the first generation Solterra SUV, the sister car to the Toyota BZ4X. While the BZ4X (renamed BZ for 2026) never caught the eye of EV savvy consumers, the Solterra did well with Subaru owners.
Not standing still, Subaru designers and engineers began developing the second generation 2026 Solterra. The outcome is a markedly impressive achievement that places Subaru squarely on buyer’s shopping list for small all-electric SUVs. All buyers, not just loyal Subaru owners.
Clean Fleet Report drove the Solterra for a week, spending our 291 all-electric miles cruising around Southern California with a good combination of city streets and freeways. Hint: It wasn’t enough time behind the wheel of this enjoyable EV.
A few basics to help when shopping for your next (maybe first) all-electric SUV.
- Four trims: Premium; Limited; Limited XT and Touring XT
- Standard all-wheel drive (AWD)
- Standard X-Mode for enhanced off-road driving
- New for 2026 Standard the North American Charging System (NACS)
- New for 2026 Dual motors w/more hp: Limited XT: 233; Touring XT: 338
- New for 2026 Battery: 74.7 kWh Lithium-ion battery with cooling and heating
- New for 2026 11 kW onboard charger.
- Curb Weight: 4,395-4,510 pounds
- Driving Range: Premium: 288 miles; Limited, Limited XT and Limited Touring: 278 miles.
Road Time
Smooth, instant acceleration and torque available at any speed is what makes driving an electric vehicle so wonderful. There is no engine or transmission lag, just seamless power when needed. The all-new 2026 Solterra more than competently delivers all those.
The Solterra shines in town and on the open road. The dual motors and AWD deliver spirited acceleration from a stop. On the freeway, at 60 mph and needing to pass traffic, 70 mph is reached quickly. The rush of power is linear and the car was pulling strong even at 70 mph. When the conditions are safe, give the assisted driving a try through Subaru EyeSight. This is not a hands-free system.
The 5-door, 5-passenger SUV has two drive modes—Normal (default) and Eco. The former is where we kept the Solterra for in-town driving and when ascending and descending hills; On long stretches of freeway we opted for Eco.
The all-new Solterra has paddles on the backside of the steering wheel for brake regeneration, which replenishes the battery by converting kinetic energy into electricity when braking or coasting. The regeneration can be increased four levels with the left paddle or decreased with the right paddle. The regeneration levels are not as strong as we have tested elsewhere, but with time and practice we acclimated using the maximum strength setting.
The AWD handling was solid with a low center of gravity as the batteries are placed under the floorboard. We were driving the Touring XT with Yokohama Geolander 235/50 all-season tires mounted on 20-inch aluminum alloy wheels. 18-inch are standard on the Premium trim while Limited and Limited XT also get 20-inch. The 4-wheel independent suspension has MacPherson struts up front, a double-wishbone rear suspension with coil springs and stabilizer bars on both ends.
We pushed the Solterra Touring XT hard at times, most definitely harder than a family of four or five would ever do. Corners taken briskly produced little to no body roll. Modulating the accelerator pedal utilizes the regenerative braking, making for the smoothest way to take turns. Higher-speed esses benefited from predictable stability as we smoothly rolled through with absolute zero concern for loosing grip.
The Solterra is not a sport SUV and Subaru does not market it as such. This does not take anything away from what their engineers have designed. The quick-ratio electric power steering, vehicle dynamics control with all-wheel, all-speed traction control, active cornering assist and torque vectoring will make emergency highway avoidance maneuvers as safe and controlled as possible.
Getting Dirty
The Solterra is built to take moderate off-roading adventures, so tackling a gravel forest road to get to your favorite fly fishing stream or the ski cabin will not present any issues. The 8.3 inches of ground clearance will be appreciated when engaging X-Mode to descend steep, hilly trails. Features of Subaru’s off-road system include drive settings for Snow, Dirt, Deep Snow and Mud, plus Grip Control and Downhill Assist Control.
Slowing and Stopping
The Solterra does not have full one pedal driving, where it would come to a complete stop through regenerative braking (or more accurately the motors reversing to do the slowing). Subaru did include a Brake Hold button, which engages the brake pedal holding the Solterra at a stop. This is a welcome feature for anyone that has commuted as it relieves pressure on the driver’s right leg.
The ventilated front and rear anti-lock disc brakes, with electronic brake-force distribution and brake assist, stopped the Solterra straight without pedal fade.
Charging
The Solterra comes with a pre-conditioner that brings the battery to an optimum charging temperature (heated or cooled to 70º F). The battery can be trickle-charged with a 120V common wall plug, but expect replenish times to be long and slow. The best bet for owners will be to install a Level 2, 240V home charger that will deliver a full charge in 9-11 hours.
The 2026 Solterra is equipped with a North American Charging System (NACS) charging port, giving it access to thousands of high-speed Tesla Supercharger stations nationwide. DC fast charging, at a 150 kW maximum, will take the Subaru from 10-80% battery capacity in around 30 minutes.
New Platform
When Clean Fleet Report first wrote about the 2026 Solterra, we spoke with Garrick Goh, carline planning manager for Solterra. He told us because there were so many changes, additions and improvements from the outgoing Solterra, “our attorneys said we could call it all-new.” This is an important distinction that differs from “refreshed,” as it indicates Subaru engineers and designers recognized major improvements needed to be made. These are some of what you will find in the 2026 Solterra versus the 2025 Solterra, with a more detailed list at the end of this story,
Changes from 2025 to 2026 for the Solterra platform include:
- Front subframe redesign
- Radiator support structure
- Motor mounts
- Steering rack mounting
- Control arms, hubs, wheel bearings, bushings and axles
- Roof structure
- Retuned suspension
- Improved crash structure
- Additional sound insulation
- Lighter motors with more power
- Increased vibration-absorbent structural adhesives in the floorpan
Redesigned Exterior
The exterior design has a sleeker front end with changes to the fascia and lighting. On some trims there’s an option for color-matched fender-flares. The nose and bumper are curved, leading into sleek slit LED headlights with the six-star Subaru logo now illuminated. The headlight washers are appreciated as your Solterra will certainly be getting muddy off-road. Sculpting on the doors and rear quarter panels add a nice touch.
There are six exterior color options with Astro Black Mica at no additional charge. There are two, at a $475 premium, Cosmic White Pearl and Midnight Tide Mica. For even more customization there are three two-toned choices of Smoked Carbon ($495) and, for an additional $970, either Elemental Red or what our Solterra was finished in—Harbor Mist Gray Pearl.
The 8.3-inch ride height is comfortable for ingress and egress. The front and rear overhangs are short. Up top, low profile roof rails can support 700 pounds when parked and 176 pounds when moving, perfect for a rooftop tent for two adults and maybe a baby or even a dog. Depending on the trim there is an optional power sunroof and foot-activated power lift gate. The dual-wing ducktail top spoiler and a more conventional lip spoiler at the bottom of the steeply sloped tailgate work together to keep the rear glass clean. Narrow LED tail lights, with a connecting light strip, take-up little space on the rear.
New Interior Design
Driver visibility is very good due to the ride height, thin A-pillars, a sloping hood and tall windows. The front seats are heated and supportive, with power adjustments for the driver and the passenger in all but the Premium trim. The rear seat holds two comfortably, three in a pinch. The cargo space behind the rear seats increases from 23.8 cubic feet when the 60:40 second row split seat is upright to 63.5 when laid flat. The rear passengers are treated to heated outbound seats, footwell lighting, air vents and dual USB-C power ports.
Seats in our Solterra Touring XT were covered in the optional black and blue leather. The driver had 10-way power with lumbar and memory, the passenger 8-way power. Both were heated and ventilated. Nice touches were the LED footwell lighting and the radiant lower leg warmers.
The Touring XT had excellent sounds from the 800-watt, 8-channel amplified Harmon Kardon premium audio system with nine speakers, a subwoofer and two tweeters. Tunes come via SiriusXM, AM/FM HD radio or Bluetooth streaming apps. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard.
The base multimedia Subaru audio system has the same 14.0-inch color touchscreen. Navigation, Siri, USB-C ports (4), a 1,500-watt AC outlet, a 12-volt power outlet and dual wireless phone chargers are standard.
Convenience Features
Clean Fleet Report’s Solterra in the Touring XT trim included a panoramic view monitor, panoramic moonroof with power sunshade, power rear lift gate with kick-to-open-and-close, heated steering wheel, keyless access, rain-sensing windshield wipers, automatic climate control and rubber all-weather floor mats.
Safety
Active advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS, which includes EyeSight) include a pre-collision system including pedestrian detection, lane departure alert with steering assist, full-speed dynamic radar cruise control, child protector rear door locks and power window lockout, tire pressure monitoring system, and an anti-theft system with engine immobilizer. The Touring XT trim has a digital rearview mirror with Homelink. Passive systems include eight airbags.
Warranty
| Battery | Eight years/100,000 miles |
| Basic | Three years/36,000 miles |
| Powertrain | Five years/60,000 miles |
| Anti-Corrosion | 12 years/Unlimited miles |
Pricing
The 2026 Subaru Solterra comes in five trims. All prices include the $1,450 destination and delivery charge. Accessories and taxes are additional.
| Premium | $39,945 |
| Limited | $42,845 |
| Limited XT | $44,345 |
| Touring XT | $47,005 |
| Touring XT Leather | $47,305 |
Summary
Clean Fleet Report is a fan of the 2026 Subaru Solterra for its roomy cabin, comfortable ride and precise steering, near 300- mile all-electric driving range and fast charging. It can also handle mild off-roading and is ready for a camping adventure. The well-rounded Solterra will appeal not only to loyal Subaru owners, but to anyone looking for a versatile all-electric SUV. Head over to your local Subaru dealer, give one a test drive and let us know what you think.
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Story and photos by John Faulkner.
