2026 Subaru Solterra

 

 

Test Vehicle:  

 

2026 Subaru Solterra Touring XT

Powertrain:  74.7-kWh high-capacity lithium-ion battery

Exterior Color: Harbor Mist Gray Pearl

Interior Color: Black & Blue Leather

Options:  N/A

MSRP as tested: Pricing Not available at test time

 

Pros: Improved Ranger, More Power, Intuitive Technology, Reasonable Price

Cons: No frunk, Average Interior Materials

 

The Subaru first launched in 2023 alongside the platform-mate, Toyota bZ. When the pair of midsize, five-passenger all-electric crossovers first arrived they were nearly identical aside from the badges. New for 2026, both models now are establishing their own identities apart from each other. The Solterra now feels more Subaru and less Toyota with just a few tweaks.

 

The 2026 Solterra is now available in four trim levels known as Premium, Limited, Limited XT, and Touring XT.  The new XT models feature updated electric motors with an 87-kW motor on the front and 167-kW motor on the rear axle that produces 338 horsepower.  Standard models feature an 87-kW electric motor on each axle producing 233 horsepower.  All models come standard with Subaru’s Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive system and an impressive 8.3 inches of ground clearance, meaning this is an EV you can take on your next adventure. With the upgrades, driving range has increased by more than 25% than 2025 models with a top range of around 288 miles. Charging has also been improved to be more efficient thanks to battery pre-conditioning.

 

2026 prices will start at $38,495 which is the same as 2025 models, despite all the improvements. Limited models start at $41,395, Limited XT at $42,895, and Touring XT models at $45,555. Competitors to the Solterra include Toyota’s bZ along with the Chevrolet Equinox EV, Ford Mustang Mach-E, Hyundai IONIQ 5, Kia EV6, and Volkswagen ID.4. I spent a week in a pre-production Solterra Touring XT and here’s what stood out…

 

 

Exterior Style:

While I’ve always liked the exterior of the Solterra and bZ, I’m glad to see them get more distinctive looks. Up front the Solterra wears an entirely new face with notably different headlights along with a new EV lighting signature that is a star cluster of six individual LED lights on either side. The Subaru badge is prominently on display up front and even lights up at night. The side profile remains relatively the same, however, Subaru now offers some options for the fender panels. Prior models exclusively came with matte black fender flares, but new for 2026 there is an option for body-color panels if ordered in white or gray, glossy black, or the same matte black fenders. This gives the Solterra a fresh look that is more traditional for those that didn’t care for the two-tone look. Around back are new LED taillights, Solterra badging that stretches across the hatch, and a new rear spoiler designed to improve aerodynamic efficiency. XT models get black badging, black trim, and are available with a two-tone paint on select colors. There are six colors available on the Solterra which include shades of gray, red, white, and black. New 18” and 20” alloy wheels are also available and complement the rest of the vehicle well.

 

Power / Performance:

Now with two different levels of power, the Solterra offers more versatility than it had in the past. Even the base setup has 18 more horsepower at 233 total horsepower than the previous generation. While sufficient for most, the base power is still less than some competitors.  XT’s combination of electric motors with a bigger one on the rear axle generates an impressive 338 total horsepower which is much more engaging and fun to drive. According to Subaru, it even delivers a 0-60 MPH time in less than 5 seconds, which is faster than the WRX. Regardless of the output, it uses a new high-capacity 74.7 kWh lithium-ion battery that also helps improve range.  Overall, it feels quicker around town and on the highway. There’s an extra jolt when hitting the gas pedal to pass others confidently on the highway that was lacking before.

 

 

Handling:

With more power, the Solterra also feels nimbler and better connected to the road. It hugs turns tightly  thanks to its low center of gravity. Soundproofing glass and wind-noise reduction ensure a quiet ride as well. The suspension feels much more refined as it absorbs road imperfections much better than before. Steering still feels the same, which is somewhat lacking. It’s not as direct and tight as some others in the class. Instead, the Solterra lacks steering feedback and has a bit more give before engaging.  

 

The regenerative braking system converts your momentum back intro power to charge the batteries. Solterra has four levels of regenerative braking available, including one that feels pretty harsh and takes some getting used to. It won’t come to a complete stop when your foot is off the pedal since there is no one-pedal driving in this car, a common feature in other EVs.

 

AWD Capability:

While there is no low range for serious off-roading, the Solterra is more than capable of some dirt trail adventures. Subaru’s Symmetrical AWD system is standard and only requires the push of a button to engage. With a standard ground clearance of 8.3 inches, you can even take up some steeper hills over some smaller rocks. All models feature X-Mode dual mode system which includes settings for Snow/Dirt and Deep Snow/Mud.

X-Mode features a grip control that manages each wheel independently and a hill-descent control. Both features act like a slow speed off-road cruise control.

 

Subaru should really play up the AWD capabilities in this vehicle as the only other vehicle that really plays in that area is the Hyundai IONIQ 5 XRT. While the XRT (arguably) looks more aggressive with meatier tires, it sits about 1.3 inches lower than Solterra. The new body  incorporates both enhanced body rigidity and improves sound insulation. The new front subframe, retuned suspension, lighter front control arms, expanded usage of ultra-high-tensile-strength steel and battery protection areas were all added for 2026.

 

Range / Charging:

Keen observers will notice that Subaru moved its charging port to the other side of the car, now on the passenger’s side. Driving range has improved to 288 miles on the base Solterra Premium model. The rest of the lineup is rated to run for around 278 miles under ideal conditions on a single charge. These are significant improvements over 2025 models which peak at 222 or 227 miles. Though improved, many of its closest competitors still come closer to, or top 300 miles of driving range.

 

Every new Solterra also now features a North American Charging Standard port giving owners more access to public chargers such as the Tesla network. The onboard charging system has also been upgraded to pre-condition the battery for better efficiency. Quick charging using a DC fast-charger has improved from 100kW to 150kW, meaning it can now charge from 10% to 80% in around 30 minutes after preconditioning. And if you do need to charge at home, it also gets an uprated 11kW onboard charger that enables quicker charging at home overnight.  Battery pre-conditioning has also been added to better optimize charging performance, particularly in cold weather

 

Interior:

Hopping inside, there are significant updates to the Solterra’s cabin, though passenger space remains nearly unchanged from 2025. Along with a fresh exterior is an updated interior layout with a larger infotainment screen and new center console. Drivers will face a reshaped and fully digital gauge cluster that can be customized to personal preference. While the cluster is still set back, it’s not quite as polarizing as the previous layout. Also, prominently at the center of the dash is a new standard 14” infotainment touchscreen with a single volume knob at the center. Below the screen are air vents and space for two mobile device chargers in the center console.  Gear selection is done through a dial in the center console as well with a few buttons adjacent to it for adjusting drive modes and other vehicle settings.

 

A flat-bottom and flat-top steering wheel gives it a fresh take that feels very cutting edge. Ambient lighting highlights the elongated dashboard and standard on the Touring and Touring XT trims is a panoramic glass roof with a power sunshade.   Overall, the cabin feels drastically better and more luxurious than before. Materials are average for the class as there are still a fair amount of hard plastics and gaps in the fit and finish.

 

Technology:

The new 14” infotainment screen is right out of Toyota models and is much larger than the previous model. Wireless integration for both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto is smooth and easy to use.  The HVAC controls are now mostly screen‐based (as opposed to physical knobs), which may reduce ease of use while driving and take some time to acclimate.

 

A Harmon Kardon premium audio system is included in all but the base model, as is a surround-view camera system. A cloud-based navigation system and a voice assistant are available with a subscription.

 

 

 

Seats:

The Solterra offers seating for five with a good amount of space all around. Standard seats use Subaru’s synthetic StarTex material, while higher trims add leather as an option. Base models include a 10-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, with higher trims getting an eight-way power passenger seat as well. Heated front seats come standard across the board, with ventilation and rear-seat heaters on upper trims. A heated steering wheel is fitted to Limited and higher trims.  Front seats offer good visibility, headroom and leg room. The seats are well-padded, comfortable, and supportive. The rear bench seat is reasonably comfortable with more than enough leg and head room. The overall cabin feels more spacious than many competitors thanks to its shape and taller roofline.

 

The seats in the 2026 Solterra are good and comfortable — they check all the major boxes for daily use: adjustability, comfort for front and most rear passengers, and decent materials especially in higher trims. For most buyers they will be more than adequate and certainly improved over earlier versions.

 

Cargo Space:

Cargo capacity is among the best in the compact crossover BEV class with 23.8 cubic feet of space behind the seats. With the seats folded flat, capacity increases to 63.5 cubic feet. Overall cargo space exceeds the Kia EV6, Hyundai IONIQ 5, and Volvo XC40 Recharge and are only slightly less than the Ford Mustang Mach-E and VW ID.4. The tailgate opens wide for easy load-in or out. The 2026 Subaru Solterra does offer a power (automatic) rear liftgate with hands-free kick-activated opening/closing in its convenience features. Bonus storage space is located under the center console which is also easily accessible. Unlike some others, there is no additional storage space under the hood.

 

 

Safety / Driver Assistance:

The 2026 Solterra comes with a robust suite of driver-assist and safety tech as standard, thanks to Subaru’s commitment to active safety.

 

Key standard items include:

• The EyeSight Driver Assist Technology. This includes forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning/assist, and adaptive cruise control.
• Blind-spot monitoring.
• Front and rear cross-traffic alert.
• DriverFocus Distraction Mitigation System (monitors driver attention/drowsiness).
• Lane keeping and lane tracing assist functionality (helps the vehicle stay centered in a lane).
•  

Beyond standard safety tech, there are several features that are either optional or limited to higher trims. These add further safety / driver-assist capability and may be worth adding depending on your priorities. Traffic Jam Assist (hands-free steering assistance at low speeds) is extremely beneficial during rush hour commutes in Chicago.  A 360-degree surround-view camera system (Panoramic View Monitor) provides full visuals around the vehicle for parking, backing out, and general awareness. Enhanced versions of EyeSight (with lane centering, advanced adaptive cruise, etc) are also available on upper trims. Also new for 2026 is  “Emergency Stop Assist” in which when the driver becomes unresponsive, the car can bring itself to a stop.

Final Statement:

Subaru’s first fully electric vehicle has been a good first effort that slides into the lineup without much fuss. The updated looks set it apart with unique LED light designs and bold black two-tone wheel arches. It has a ton of space inside to accommodate five and a functional interior that has the latest technology.  Performance is much better with more power and better range. It's an intriguing joint effort with Toyota that now feels more Subaru-ish.