Subaru brought automotive journalists to Denver, Colorado for first drives of the 2026 Solterra EV. The second-generation Solterra EV has improvements in almost all areas, making it an even more versatile compact crossover.
CRANKSHAFT CULTURE CHECKLIST
Off-Road Ability (1-5): 3
On-Road Ability (1-5): 4
Can You Easily Lift or Lower It: Not at the moment
Would We Drive Cross Country: Probably
Would You Drive it to Alaska: Probably not
Aftermarket Support (1-5): Will likely be a 1
Spirit Animal: Sun Bear — Small but muscular bear. Quick when it needs to be, and can tackle various terrain
The 2026 Solterra has had so many changes that Garrick Goh, carline planning manager for Solterra, said “Our attorneys said we could call it all-new.” This is an important distinction. It’s not just a refresh. It indicates some serious changes were made over the previous model. Here’s some of what you will find in the 2026 Solterra versus the 2025 Solterra:
- Four trims of: Premium; Limited; Limited XT and Touring XT
- Dual motors
- Standard all-wheel drive (AWD)
- Standard X-MODE for enhanced off-road driving
- Curb Weight: 4,395–4,51023 pounds
- *New for 2026* Standard with the North American Charging System (NACS)
- *New for 2026* Horsepower: Limited XT: 233; Touring XT: 338
- *New for 2026* Battery: 74.7 kWh Lithium-ion battery with cooling and heating
- *New for 2026* 11 kW onboard charger
- *New for 2026* Driving Range: Premium: 288 miles; Limited, Limited XT and Limited Touring: 278 miles
Subaru entered the electric vehicle world in 2023 with the first-generation Solterra SUV. While it did well with Subaru owners, that just wasn’t good enough. Subaru designers and engineers began developing the second generation almost immediately. The outcome is an impressive achievement that places Subaru squarely on buyers’ shopping lists for small all-electric SUVs.
Hitting The Road
The all-new 2026 Solterra does exactly what an electric vehicle is meant to do. That’s smooth, instant acceleration with torque available at any speed. You can forget about any lag from the transmission or engine because the Solterra has neither.
My drive partner and I departed on city streets and freeways from downtown Denver, and headed high into the Rocky Mountains. Our curvy route took us through Idaho Springs, on to Nederland, then returning home on the Peak to Peak Byway through Golden Gate Canyon State Park. This was an excellent test for the Solterra EV, as the elevation went from 5,280 feet to just under 9,500 feet, passing majestic peaks reaching 14,000 feet.
Driving and Performance
The Solterra with the dual motors and AWD delivered spirited acceleration from a stop. When on the freeway at 60 mph and needing to pass traffic, we reached 70 mph quickly, even fast. The rush of power was linear and was pulling strongly even past 70 mph.
The 5-door, 5-passenger SUV has two drive modes of Normal (default) and Eco. The former is where we kept the Solterra for strong and even ascending and descending, only opting for Eco when on long-range cruising on the open road.
The Solterra EV’s steering wheel has paddles for brake regeneration. These replenish the battery by converting kinetic energy into electricity when braking or coasting. The regeneration can be increased by four levels with the left paddle or decreased with the right paddle. The regeneration levels are not as strong as I have tested elsewhere. But with time and practice, I acclimated to using the maximum strength setting.
The AWD handling was solid with a low center of gravity as the batteries are placed under the seats. We were driving the Touring XT with Bridgestone Turanza 235/50 all-season tires mounted on 20-inch aluminum alloy wheels. 18-inch wheels are standard on the Premium trim, while Limited and Limited XT get the 20-inch. The 4-wheel independent suspension has MacPherson struts up front, a double-wishbone rear suspension, and coil springs and stabilizer bars on both ends.
Surprisingly Sporty
We pushed the Solterra Touring XT hard at times, most definitely harder than a family of four or five would ever do. We learned corners taken briskly produced little to no body roll. Modulating the accelerator pedal utilizes regenerative braking, making for the smoothest way to take mountain turns. There were some very accommodating esses to test higher-speed stability as we smoothly rolled through (left-right, left-right) with absolute zero concern for losing grip.
The Solterra is not a sports SUV, and Subaru does not market it as such. This, though, does not take anything away from what their engineers have designed. The quick-ratio electric power steering, vehicle dynamics control with all-wheel, all-speed traction control, active cornering assist, and torque vectoring will make emergency highway avoidance maneuvers as safe and controlled as possible.
Getting Dirty
Subaru cut an off-highway course through an Aspen forest and a broad, alpine meadow, causing us to pause and take in the surrounding beauty. The Solterra is built to take moderate off-roading adventures, so tackling a gravel forest road to get to your favorite fly fishing stream or the ski cabin will not present any issues. We were glad to have 8.3-inches of ground clearance when we engaged X-MODE to descend a steep section. Features of Subaru’s off-road system include drive settings for Snow, Dirt, and Deep Snow and Mud modes, Grip Control, and Downhill Assist Control.
Slowing and Stopping
The Solterra does not have full one pedal driving, where it would come to a complete stop through regenerative braking, or more accurately, the motors reversing to do the slowing. Subaru did include a Brake Hold button that when engaged and the brake pedal is pushed it holds the Solterra at a stop, eliminating the need to press on the brake pedal. This is a welcome feature for anyone who has commuted, as it relieves pressure on the driver’s right leg.
The ventilated front and rear anti-lock disc brakes, with electronic brake-force distribution and brake assist, stopped the Solterra straight without pedal fade.
Charging
The Solterra comes with a pre-conditioner that brings the battery to an optimum charging temperature, heated or cooled to 70º F. The battery can be trickle-charged with a 120V common wall plug, but expect replenishment times to be long and slow. The best bet for owners will be to install a Level 2, 240V home charger that will deliver a full charge overnight while sleeping.
The 2026 Solterra is equipped with a North American Charging System (NACS) charging port, giving it access to thousands of high-speed Tesla Supercharger stations nationwide. DC fast charging, at a 150 kW maximum, will go from 10% – 80% battery capacity in around 30 minutes.
New Platform
Changes from 2025 to 2026 to the Solterra platform include:
- Front subframe redesign
- Radiator support structure
- Motor mounts
- Steering rack mounting
- Control arms, hubs, wheel bearings, bushings and axles
- Roof structure
- Retuned suspension
- Improved crash structure
- Additional sound insulation
- Lighter motors with more power
- Increased vibration-absorbent structural adhesives in the floorpan
Smoothed-Out Exterior
The exterior design has been updated with a sleeker front end with changes to the fascia and lighting, and on some trims, the option for color-matched over-fenders. The nose and bumper are curved, leading into sleek, narrow slit LED headlights, and the six-star Subaru logo is now illuminated. The headlight washers are appreciated as your Solterra will certainly be getting muddy off-road. Sculpting on the doors and rear quarter panels added a nice touch for the six exterior color options.
The front and rear overhangs are short, with low-profile roof rails that can support 700 pounds when parked and 178 pounds when moving. Depending on the trim, there is an optional power sunroof and foot-activated power lift gate. The dual-wing ducktail top spoiler and a more conventional lip spoiler at the bottom of the steeply sloped glass work together to keep the rear glass clean. Narrow LED taillights, with a connecting light strip, take up little space on the rear.
New Interior Design
Driver visibility is very good with thin A pillars, a sloping hood, and tall windows. The front seats are heated and supportive, with power adjustments for the driver and for the passenger in all but the Premium trim. The rear seat holds two comfortably, three in a pinch. The cargo space behind the rear seats increases when the 60:40 second row split seat is laid flat.
Seats are covered in SofTex, a synthetic leather, while leather seat coverings are available in the Touring XT.
The standard multimedia system has a 14.0-inch color touchscreen with a six speaker audio unit that includes SiriusXM, AM/FM radio with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. A Harmon Kardon premium audio system is optional as is a digital rearview mirror with Homelink. Navigation, Siri, USB-C ports (4), 1,500 watt AC outlet, and wireless phone charging are standard.
Pricing and Availability
Pricing will be announced just before the 2026 Solterra EV goes on-sale sometime in November 2025.
Author: John Faulkner
John Faulkner is the Road Test Editor and Senior Writer at Clean Fleet Report. He has more than 30 years’ experience branding, launching, and marketing automobiles. He has worked with General Motors (all Divisions), Chrysler (Dodge, Jeep, Eagle), Ford and Lincoln-Mercury, Honda, Mazda, Mitsubishi, Nissan and Toyota on consumer events, vehicle launches, and sales training programs. His interest in automobiles is broad and deep, beginning as a child riding in the back seat of his parent’s 1950 Studebaker. He is a journalist member of the Motor Press Guild and Western Automotive Journalists.
Photos by John Faulkner and Subaru.