Subaru Solterra Touring – there’s just something about it

The Subaru Solterra is great-looking and distinctive. It has a tough and ready physique

---

Car Reviewed: Subaru Solterra Touring

---

My time spent with the Solterra was during sub-zero temperatures. The battery readout showed 95% and the range was just 154 miles. Throughout the week, achieving anywhere near Subaru’s claimed 3.1mi/kWh was impossible, my best being 2.4mi/kWh. Of course, like all EVs, a lower range is to be expected during the winter months.

Combined, the dual motors produce 215bhp and 337Nm, which is plenty for the school run or nipping around town. Its 0-62mph time of 6.9 seconds is certainly believable, and like some more powerful EVs, it doesn’t boot you in the stomach when you tread on the accelerator. Instead, it feels civilised and smooth. Subaru has also put regen paddles behind the steering wheel, which makes town driving a doddle.

Inside, the dashboard feels slightly cheap: the shiny piano black plastic on my test car had been easily scratched by other journalists, and while cool, the jet fighter-like instrument cluster was beginning to show signs of wear. Rather than cramming every setting into endless menus within the 12.3in central touchscreen, Subaru opted for physical and touch switches, which are easy to get along with.

Topping up from 10-80% via a meaty charger took 31 minutes, which is not shy of Subaru’s claimed 28 minutes. Charging via a 7.4kW wall box takes around 12 hours to fully replenish the battery.

The rear headroom is good, and the rear bench has a two-stage height adjustment. The panoramic roof lights the cabin nicely, and the raised centre console requires little arm movement to switch between drive modes and press any other buttons.

Notably, there’s no glovebox, but fear not! There are 12 cupholders, yes 12: six in the front and six in the rear. You might be unable to stow any documents or accessories, but you and your passengers will remain hydrated. That’s a plus, right?

By spending more money on the touring guise, you lose 11 litres of boot space (441 vs 452 litres), and the 60:40 folding rear seats don’t fold completely flat. Lifting the front bonnet reveals all sorts of technical gubbins, but no frunk. Instead, like most EVs, you’ll find space for the charging cable under the boot floor.

Overall, the Solterra offers a lot for the price, especially with the ‘Touring’ option ticked. Having just two models to choose from and no hidden optional extras except for paint makes the configuration process easy. Its rivals do offer more boot space, and its cold-weather efficiency isn’t great. 

However, it looks great, is less common on our roads than many, and comes with Subaru’s build quality, eight-year battery warranty, all-wheel drive as standard, a good infotainment system, and a generous standard equipment list. It’s worth a look.