Subaru worked together with Toyota to develop their new 2023 Subaru Solterra, making it an EV compact crossover. The new Solterra is said to be similar to the upcoming Toyota bZ4X in terms of mechanic and visual. However, the Solterra isn’t only easier to say, but it does offer the subtle styles from Subaru. Aside from the many standard driver assist features and impressive offroad abilities, the SUV is claimed to be able to cover 220 miles on electric power. By now, the 2023 Solterra and bZ4X may not have many rivals within the segment of EV non-luxury compact SUV, but things can always change fast next year.
The Expected Updates
The crossover is set as the first electric ride from Subaru as the 2023, and it would start selling sometime in 2022. For now, the base would be set at around $37,000, but the numbers are still rough figures as there is no confirmation from Toyota just yet.
Power and Performance
Considering that 2023 Subaru Solterra is completely electric, it comes as an all wheel driving system with 2 electric motors producing 215 hp and 248 Nm of torque. The SUV will be coming with 4 driving modes: Normal, Eco, X-mode, and Power and they determine the way power is sent to the engine. Different modes are meant to deliver more comfort during different conditions and situations, such as uneven terrain or slippery condition. It has a special technology that modulates power to every wheel independently. You can take Solterra for offroad adventure. It comes with 8.3 inches for the ground clearance, along with Grip Control, which is basically a cruise control in low speed. The steering wheel paddles enable adjustable regenerative braking force.
Subaru doesn’t say anything about the battery pack or its capacity, but they are confident enough that one single charge can cover more than 220 miles. They even say that Solterra is somewhat compatible with the fast chargers DC and it has the ability to charge less than an hour.
Interior Cabin
Expect to find elevated (center) console with the seemingly rotary shift knob, along with big touchscreen infotainment screen, and also digital high-mounted gauge cluster. There is an airy vibe and feel to the cabin, thanks to the panoramic sunroof, big side glass, and steep windshield. The cabin has its own aesthetic feel to it because of the combination of appealing and attractive textures. The SUV has many storage containers, including the big bin; situated underneath center console. It’s nice to travel with Solterra, especially with generous cargo space up to 30 cubic feet whenever the rear seats are folded.
For the infotainment system, the touchscreen display is 12.3 inches, which is more than enough for better visual. It comes with standard wireless phone charger, Android Auto, and Apple CarPlay. You can control HVAC system remotely with your smartphone app. Driver and safety assistance include 360 degree camera tech, high (auto) beam headlights, blind spot monitor, lane departure warning system, forward collision warning, rear cross traffic alert, lane keeping assist, and auto emergency brake.
Price and Release Date
As it was mentioned before, it’s likely that the base Solterra would be likely sold at around $37,000. It’s also likely that the price may not be far astray from Toyota bZ4X, which is predicted to start for at least $30,000. Not to mention that there is no further info about the trim levels and the features, so it’s kind of hard to determine the price.
For the release date, it’s likely happening in 2022, but the exact date is unknown. We should wait for further release and official info from Subaru about their 2023 Subaru Solterra.