Subaru launches its electric SUV Solterra

Carbon copy of the Toyota bZ4X, the all-electric Subaru Solterra sees its prices melting away like snow in the sun!

When developing its first electric vehicle, Subaru wisely chose not to make a mistake. It was deemed wiser to strike a deal with Toyota to benefit from the technical basis of the Toyota bZ4X rather than starting from scratch. A mutually beneficial exchange, since the small sports coupe Toyota GT86 introduced in 2012 and sold in over 200,000 units was merely a restyled Subaru BRZ. People can always come to an agreement when there’s goodwill.

The Solterra is 100% electric, but remains fundamentally a Subaru according to the manufacturer that has built its reputation on all-wheel-drive models, a technology updated with one electric motor driving the front wheels and another powering the rear wheels. The maximum combined power reaches 218 hp (160 kW) while the battery has a capacity of 71.4 kWh. Subaru claims a credible range of 465 km, bolstered by Toyota’s typically honest endorsement on the subject. Also standard is the X-MODE function with uphill and downhill assistance, which helps maintain the appropriate level of grip depending on the terrain for greater stability and control, providing an increased sense of confidence. For even more versatility, the Solterra features a ground clearance of 210 mm and short overhangs, making it easier to tackle small obstacles. The specifications seem to be met, and that’s really a good thing.

As the icing on the cake, the Subaru Solterra received a maximum rating of 5 stars in Euro NCAP crash tests. The situation seems idyllic, so why has this model only achieved a relatively modest success, to put it politely? The price, of course! The entry-level Comfort was initially priced well beyond 60,000 euros at launch! An absurdity when the Tesla Model Y and Renault Scenic are available for under 40,000 euros.

So Subaru reacted and slashed its prices dramatically! The Subaru Solterra initially lowered its entry price to 59,990 euros and is now offered at 48,600 euros! Now that’s more interesting. For the Luxury trim, expect to pay 52,600 euros.

This dynamic is further enhanced by a rental offer at 399 euros per month for the Comfort version or 499 euros per month for the Luxury version. No down payment and no commitment for 24 months and 40,000 km! Now that’s appealing for a well-finished all-wheel-drive electric SUV.