- Subaru’s Solterra EV gets its most substantial upgrades to date for the 2026 model year.
- A new XT model boasts 338 horsepower—a whopping 113-hp increase over the ’25 Solterra.
- The max range, stated as “more than 285 miles,” also represents a big jump versus the 2025 version.
Even for a first EV, the Subaru Solterra seemed like a half-hearted effort. Introduced for the 2023 model year, the Solterra was just a rebadged Toyota bZ4X, with the bigger issue being that neither was strongly competitive. Subaru seems to be getting serious about the Solterra for 2026, however, with a series of upgrades that address key weaknesses.As before, the Solterra comes exclusively with dual motors and all-wheel drive (the key difference from its Toyota doppelgänger, which is also offered a single-motor, front-wheel-drive form). Now, however, those motors have more grunt. The standard version is up to 233 horsepower, from 215 before, while a new XT model serves up 338 horsepower. Subaru says that XT will do zero to 60 mph in under five seconds, which is a lot quicker than the 6.1-second result we achieved in our test of a 2024 model.That Solterra also fell short in terms of range, but the 2026 model makes strides here as well. Although the 2026 Solterra’s 75-kWh battery is only 2 kWh larger than before, Subaru claims the car is now can go up to 285 miles on a charge. Again, that’s a big improvement over the existing car, which carries EPA estimates of 222 to 227 miles, depending on trim level.
And when it comes time to recharge, the 2026 Solterra comes standard with an NACS charging port, allowing the Solterra to juice up at Tesla Supercharger stations. Max ion intake is 150 kW, whereas we saw a max recharge rate of 99 kW with the 2024 model.As before, the Solterra offers a modicum of off-road capability with 8.3 inches of ground clearance, hill-descent control, and Snow/Dirt and Deep Snow/Mud programs for its all-wheel-drive system.Related StoriesThe changes under the skin are far more significant than those you can see, but the ’26 model does look a little different. The front end is smoother, and the headlights incorporate a six-element lighting signature. The plastic around the wheel wells can be body color instead of black, and the Subaru logo is illuminated. Inside, the infotainment screen is slightly larger at 14.0 inches, and there are dual wireless charging pads on the center console.
Pricing hasn’t been announced, as the ’26 Solterra won’t reach dealerships until later this year. Subaru gave the Solterra a big price cut last year, chopping $6500 to $7000 off the sticker price. We wouldn’t be surprised to see some of that walked back with the 2026 model.
Joe Lorio has been obsessed with cars since his Matchbox days, and he got his first subscription to Car and Driver at age 11. Joe started his career at Automobile Magazine under David E. Davis Jr., and his work has also appeared on websites including Amazon Autos, Autoblog, AutoTrader, Hagerty, Hemmings, KBB, and TrueCar.
Source: caranddriver.com
