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The Subaru Solterra has always had this reputation of being the quiet sibling in the electric crossover family. It doesn’t shout for attention like a Tesla Model Y. It doesn’t wear a bold Hyundai Ioniq 5-style design. It doesn’t chase record-breaking range like the Kia EV6 or Chevy Blazer EV. Instead, Subaru has kept its electric crossover modest, outdoorsy, and very much in line with its brand DNA — safe, practical, and built for people who value all-weather confidence more than they value flash.
But for 2026, the Solterra has changed in a way that finally made me sit up and take notice. I spent seven full days test-driving the Touring XT trim – living with it like a family car, commuting with it, taking it out for errands, even pulling it into the garage at night. By the end of the week, I was impressed enough to admit something I don’t say often as a car reviewer: I’d actually consider buying one for my own family.
Yet, there’s one very common thing you absolutely should not do if you keep your Solterra in a normal-sized garage: don’t open the trunk. Not fully, anyway. Why? Because the Solterra’s liftgate swings high, too high for most garages. I learned this the hard way when I pressed the trunk button and the hatch rose up like a confident mountain hiker… straight into the underside of my garage door. In fact, with the trunk only 80% open, it was already pressing against the door panel. This may sound like a small quirk, but if you’ve got an average garage, you’ll quickly understand why I’m flagging it.
That said, let’s go through the Solterra Touring XT the way I experienced it over those seven days – the exterior, interior, powertrain, charging, trims, and ride. Along the way, I’ll share what stood out, what Subaru got right, and why this car just might make sense for families like mine.
Exterior Design: A Subaru That Plays It Safe
I’ll start with the looks, because that’s always what sparks the first conversation. Subaru hasn’t pushed the design envelope here. The 2026 Solterra looks tidy, modest, almost shy. There’s some plastic cladding along the wheel arches and lower body that feels more “rugged Subaru” than “premium EV,” and the grille-less nose is subtle compared with other electric SUVs.
Car and Driver summed it up well: it’s “neither ugly nor especially attractive.” And that’s true. It blends in. And maybe that’s the point. Subaru buyers aren’t usually looking for futuristic sci-fi designs; they want something they can park at a trailhead without feeling flashy.
What’s new for 2026 is under the skin — improved aerodynamics and some minor trim tweaks — but the Solterra still keeps its low-key styling. The Touring XT trim does get a few sharper accents and nice 20-inch wheels, which help it look more upscale. But if you’re looking for head-turning design, this isn’t the car that will do it.
Question for you: would you rather have an EV that blends in, or do you want your car to make a statement? Drop your thoughts in the comments — I’d love to know where people land on this spectrum.
Interior and Comfort: Subaru Practicality, With a Quirk or Two
Step inside, and the Solterra starts feeling more like a Subaru again. The cabin is functional, airy, and family-friendly. Subaru prioritized space and visibility here, and it shows.
The Touring XT trim gets soft-touch materials, a panoramic roof, ventilated front seats, and an overall cabin that feels inviting for long trips. The flat floor helps rear passengers stretch out, and I found the seating position natural, though slightly high compared to something like a Tesla Model Y.
The seating in the back is good. You get a good amount of legroom.
One quirk – and it’s been written about before – is the gauge cluster placement. Subaru mounted it above the steering wheel, in a sort of half-digital, half-analog fashion. I found myself adjusting my seat a couple of times to get a clear line of sight. Not an issue.
Where Subaru shines is practicality. The Solterra continues to be one of the roomiest new EVs, and according to Consumer Reports’ list of roomiest and most comfortable new EVs, it actually ranked 3rd overall. That matters when you’re packing for a weekend camping trip or hauling kids’ gear.
Infotainment and Tech: Subaru Keeps It Simple
Front and center, the Solterra comes with a 12.3-inch infotainment screen standard, and in the Touring trim it’s paired with a big 14-inch upgrade. Subaru’s system is straightforward — not as slick as Tesla’s, not as quirky as Toyota’s, but easy enough to use. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard, which most buyers will appreciate.
The Solterra also includes Subaru’s suite of driver-assistance features, EyeSight, tuned for EV duty. Adaptive cruise, lane centering, blind spot, and rear cross-traffic alert are all here. Over my week, I found the adaptive cruise smooth, though lane-keep sometimes overreacted on tighter curves.
Look how sizable the trunk is.
If you’ve been following Subaru EVs since their launch, you’ll know the brand has been steadily refining software. We actually tracked the Solterra’s early three-month performance review here, where real-world owners noted quirks Subaru later addressed. The 2026 system feels better integrated.
Power and Performance: The XT Is the One You Want
Here’s where Subaru surprised me. The standard Solterra trims make about 215 horsepower. Respectable, but not exactly exciting. The Touring XT trim I drove? It jumps to 338 horsepower, and Subaru says it can sprint from 0–60 mph in under 5 seconds.
That difference matters. Around town, the XT felt quick, responsive, and much more modern than the base versions. On the highway, passing was easy, and I never felt like I was asking for more power.
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Still, Subaru hasn’t tuned the Solterra to be sporty. Handling is secure, but steering feels a little numb compared to something like the Kia EV6 GT-Line. What it does have is confidence. The all-wheel-drive system is tuned for grip, not thrills, and it shows.
If you’ve ever wondered how well an EV Subaru can perform in the outdoors, check out this deep dive into the Solterra holding two surprising Subaru records. Subaru leans heavily on its reputation for traction, and in the XT it finally feels like performance and capability live in the same package.
Off-Road Capability: Where Subaru Stands Out
I tested the Solterra on different roads in Charlotte, NC, and in South Carolina. From what I can tell, Subaru’s X-Mode system (with Snow/Dirt and Deep Snow/Mud settings) makes the car feel more surefooted than rivals like the Volkswagen ID.4.
Grip Control, essentially an off-road cruise control, was handy on a steep downhill. No, this isn’t a rock crawler, but if you’re buying an EV crossover and live where snow, mud, or trails are part of life, this is where Subaru’s DNA matters most.
That’s also where Subaru positions the Solterra differently than, say, the Hyundai Ioniq 5. This is more of an “outdoor family EV” than a tech-forward city EV.
Range and Charging: Better, But Not Best
This was one of Subaru’s weak points with the first Solterra, and I’m happy to report the 2026 version makes serious progress. Range is now 278–288 miles depending on trim, which is a solid 25% bump over before. The XT Touring trim lands around 288 miles officially.
Charging is improved too. Subaru added a slightly bigger battery (around 75 kWh usable) and upgraded peak DC fast-charging from 100 kW to 150 kW. It also now uses the NACS/Tesla connector, which opens up thousands of Tesla Superchargers in North America starting in 2025.
In practice, this means a 10%–80% charge in about 35 minutes under ideal conditions. That’s not class-leading — Hyundai and Kia still outpace it with 800V platforms — but it’s finally competitive.
One caveat: charging speed can vary in the real world. We’ve seen Subaru’s EVs surge in popularity recently, and as more owners share highway charging experiences, we’ll get a clearer picture of how reliable the system is.
Pricing and Trims: Subaru Keeps It Honest
Here’s another win: pricing didn’t skyrocket. Subaru positioned the 2026 Solterra between $40,000 and $49,000, depending on trim. The Touring XT is at the higher end, but you’re paying for that extra horsepower and nicer features.
Compared with rivals, this is competitive. A Tesla Model Y Long Range starts higher. The Hyundai Ioniq 5 sits in the same ballpark but charges faster. Subaru’s play is value for families who want all-wheel drive, space, and Subaru safety without hitting the $55K mark.
And with Solterra now ranking among Consumer Reports’ top picks for best electric cars, Subaru’s pricing strategy seems to resonate with shoppers who value trust over hype.
Ownership Costs & Depreciation: Not Just Electricity Savings
When you switch to an EV, it’s easy to fixate on the lack of gas bills and maintenance savings—but the real long game is in total cost of ownership and depreciation. According to CarEdge, maintenance and repair costs for a Subaru Solterra over five years are estimated around $1,619 (excluding wear items) — that’s relatively modest for an AWD crossover. On the flip side, RepairPal lists the average annual repair cost for Subaru vehicles (all models) as $617, which puts it somewhat above average in the broader vehicle ecosystem (though that figure doesn’t always map exactly to EV specifics).
Depreciation is another piece of the puzzle. As of now, the Solterra is new enough that long-term resale trajectories are still emerging. But because its range and charging performance improvements for 2026 significantly close the gap with competitors, I believe Subaru has improved its resale appeal. For buyers, that means the extra sticker cost for the XT trim might be partially recouped down the road—if the market continues valuing AWD, range, and Subaru heritage.
Battery Longevity, Warranty, and Replacement Risks
One of the biggest anxieties people have about EVs is battery health over time. Subaru offers an 8-year / 100,000-mile warranty on the Solterra’s battery pack, promising a minimum level of capacity retention under normal use. That’s on par with many competitors, though it doesn’t completely remove the unknowns.
From forums and owner groups, some Solterra owners note capacity drop over several years—especially if the car has been repeatedly fast-charged or kept at high state-of-charge extremes. Also, Subaru recommends inspecting the battery coolant system at 18 months / 15,000 miles and then every 30,000 miles thereafter to keep thermal management in check. In practice, that means your warranty will handle many worst-case battery issues, but you still want to drive and charge it in a way that minimizes stress: avoid constant 100% charges or deep discharges, use moderate fast charging, and keep the battery temperature reasonable.
Ride Quality: Comfortable, Quiet, and Family-Oriented
Seven days in, the Solterra Touring XT grew on me as a daily driver. Ride comfort is excellent. Subaru tuned the suspension for stability and compliance, and it soaks up rough city roads well. Noise levels are low, wind intrusion is minimal, and even at highway speeds it feels composed.
This isn’t the most dynamic EV – you won’t be carving corners like in a Mustang Mach-E GT – but for commuting, long trips, and family use, I found the balance spot-on. And after seven days, that comfort factor was one of the main reasons I caught myself thinking, “yeah, I could see this in our driveway.”
Would I Buy a Solterra?
After a full week with the 2026 Subaru Solterra Touring XT, I walked away impressed. Subaru finally gave this EV the range, charging, and performance it needed to be competitive. It’s quiet, comfortable, surprisingly quick in the XT trim, and confidently Subaru in its off-road DNA.
But it’s not perfect. The styling is plain. The hatch is a liability in most garages (seriously, watch your door clearance). And charging speeds, while improved, still lag the class leaders.
Would I consider buying one for my family? Yes – and that’s not something I often say after test drives. For households that value all-weather confidence, space, and practicality, the Solterra finally feels like a genuine Subaru you can trust in EV form.
Now, I’d love to hear from you. Would you pick the Solterra over something like a Tesla Model Y or Hyundai Ioniq 5? Does the Subaru DNA matter more than fast charging or futuristic styling? Let me know your thoughts and experiences in the comments below.
Armen Hareyan is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Torque News. He founded TorqueNews.com in 2010, which, since then, has been publishing expert news and analysis about the automotive industry. He can be reached at Torque News Twitter, Facebook, Linkedin, and Youtube. He has more than a decade of expertise in the automotive industry with a special interest in Tesla and electric vehicles.
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Source: torquenews.com
