Written byKey Points:
- Finally, Some Real Range: Subaru claims the 2026 Solterra can now travel up to 285 miles on a single charge (a solid 25% increase), but in today’s EV race, is that just enough or still behind?
- More Muscle Under the Hood—Or Floor: The standard model gets 233 hp, while the new Solterra XT variant pushes out 338 hp and does 0–60 in under 5 seconds. Sounds exciting, but why did it take this long?
- Charging Woes? Not Anymore (Hopefully): With faster DC charging (10–80% in under 35 mins), battery preconditioning, and access to Tesla’s Supercharger network via NACS—Subaru’s trying hard to fix what once held it back.
Subaru has pulled the wraps from its all-new 2026 Subaru Solterra EV, looking to right the ship in every area the first model got sideways. A much-needed range boost to 280 miles, improved power delivery, and some rugged styling hints that Subaru is ready to push its one and only EV into the spotlight once more.
And while Subaru’s also doubling down on adventure with its 2026 Outback Wilderness, the new Solterra aims to turn heads in the electric SUV world. But is it enough?
For a deeper dive into EV benchmarks and where the Solterra now stands, here’s how it stacks up in today’s fast-moving electric market.
Subaru Learns from the Past
The original Solterra, developed jointly with Toyota, was met with criticism for its short range, slow acceleration, and lackluster off-road capabilities. The 2026 model addresses those weaknesses, offering more horsepower, quicker charging, and a more robust AWD setup. Now it comes with dual motors and a better X-MODE to give you more off-road confidence, taking inspiration from Subaru’s SUVs, which boast a 5,000 lbs towing capacity and outdoor credibility.
And the range? One Cadillac Lyriq-V, anyway, up the ranks, at 280 miles, competing with the legacy of Subaru’s off-road DNA, and this is the Torque News report on Subaru’s First Electric SUV for the royal fans!
Design Tweaks That Matter
It wasn’t just about the internal upgrades for Subaru. The 2026 Solterra scores more muscular fender flares, a wider stance, and full-width tail lights — which places it in the company of cooler EVs of its ilk, including the ones found in this roundup of cars with full-width tail lights — than those tail lights frankly have any reasonable place being. Also new are styling elements for the grille and roof rails, designed for real gear hauling, as opposed to just for aesthetic purposes.
The interior, meanwhile, is where Subaru put some elbow grease, overhauling the cockpit with a new infotainment setup, and physical climate controls (at last!), and better materials. I don’t want to talk to you about what other people say.” The new Solterra also features a warm steering wheel, a common addition in lower-priced cars with heated steering wheels.
Performance and Driving Dynamics
The enhanced dual-motor all-wheel drive system is one of the most notable upgrades. Subaru promises stronger torque vectoring, more aggressive cornering, and significantly improved acceleration over the outgoing model. It’s now faster off the line, matching some AWD sports cars under $30,000, although the Solterra is more family-oriented than performance-driven.
It’s also been worked on the chassis to improve handling without compromising ride quality—that’s, it’s now more road-tripper friendly, a candidate for lists like the one covering the best vehicles for road trips.
Read More:
- 2026 Toyota bZ Woodland Revealed – Is This the EV Subaru Should’ve Made?
- 2026 Subaru Ascent: A Sneak Peek at the Specs, Release Date, and Price
- 2026 Subaru Trailseeker EV SUV Revealed with Full Specs, Release Date, and New Colors
Is 280 Miles Enough?
News flash: the EV space is competitive. Therefore, many consumers desire a vehicle with a range exceeding 300 miles on a single charge. But Subaru bets that its target buyers care more about all-wheel-drive reliability and off-road function than ultimate range. In context, Subaru’s ICE models comprise its 2025 Toyota 4Runner competitor, and they have always been about the journey, not the pampered destination, unlike Mercedes-Benz and BMW vehicles.
Granted, 280 miles is a big jump over the old Solterra’s sub-230 range. Wait, and with quicker DC charging and intelligent regen braking, did I mention that driving now feels very modern and future-proof?
Pricing and Release
Subaru hasn’t released official pricing yet, but the base 2026 Solterra is expected to start at around $48,000, while top trims could reach $55,000. That has it at odds with the 2025 Chevrolet Blazer EV and Toyota’s upcoming electric SUVs.
It’ll be available in showrooms in early 2026, by which time we can expect pre-orders to be live in late 2025.
Final Thoughts
The 2026 Subaru Solterra EV is a daredevil’s second debut — and a necessary one. With actual range upgrades, more off-road ability, and smarter feature choices, it could have a shot at redemption. Whether it can write its past wrongs will come down to how it stacks up against tough competition such as the 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser and Ford Bronco.
Yet, if you’re in the market for an EV offering an AWD sense of adventure in a family-friendly package, the new Solterra could finally be the Subaru for you.
