SUBARU SOLTERRA ELECTRIC - SUBARU GOOD! TOYOTA BAD!

EV Channels Review

The Subaru Solterra, Subaru's first all-electric SUV, is a capable vehicle with genuine off-road credentials and excellent ground clearance, distinguishing it from many faux SUVs. It offers a comfortable ride, ample interior and boot space suitable for families, and standard features like heated seats and steering wheel, which are appreciated for colder climates. However, the review highlights significant drawbacks, particularly concerning its EV technology, which is largely attributed to Toyota's involvement. The Solterra suffers from poor efficiency, resulting in a real-world range of only around 150-175 miles from its 64 kWh battery, which is considered unacceptable for a £50,000 vehicle in 2022-23. Furthermore, its charging capability is severely limited, topping out at a mere 70 kW on 400V chargers and dropping drastically after 40% charge on faster 800V chargers, making rapid charging impractical. The interior, while functional and comfortable, is criticized for using cheap, scratchy plastics and a busy, unintuitive infotainment system, failing to justify the premium price point. The reviewer concludes that while it excels as a rugged SUV, it fails as a modern EV, recommending alternatives like the Mustang Mach-E, Hyundai Ioniq 5, or Kia EV6.