2026 Subaru Solterra Road Test and Review

2026 Subaru Solterra ・ Photo by Subaru

The all-electric 2026 Subaru Solterra is all-new this model year with lots of significant changes. This five-passenger SUV is available in four trims with standard all-wheel drive, making it a capable vehicle in winter weather. There’s also an improved driving range of up to 288 miles per charge that easily covers a typical day of driving.

New features include a NACS charging port that allows for the use of Tesla Superchargers, more horsepower, faster charging, a larger 14-inch infotainment touchscreen, dual wireless chargers, and a revised dashboard layout. Improvements all around from style to features make the new Solterra a stronger EV option.

Striking Exterior Design

The 2026 Solterra’s exterior has gone from bland to bold. It has a sleek, adventurous design that makes it stand out instead of fade into the background. New front lighting with an illuminated six-star Subaru logo adds visual impact at night, while low-profile roof rails and a ducktail spoiler enhance aerodynamics for improved efficiency.

The most noticeable change is the front of the Solterra, where the lights along with a new front bumper are much more appealing. There are also new 18-inch and 20-inch wheel designs as well as a new badge on the back. It’s a considerably more attractive EV that’s both modern and rugged.

2026 Subaru Solterra ・ Photo by Subaru

Comfortable, Durable Interior

The interior of the Solterra blends comfort and durability with roominess, staying true to Subaru’s reputation for practicality. There’s 42.1 inches of front legroom and 35.3 inches in the rear seats. The standard StarTex upholstery is easy to clean and resists water, so everything from snow to kids with muddy boots won’t be an issue.

The Limited and XT trims add heated rear seats, while Touring XT includes ventilated seats and radiant leg warmers for the front passenger. It’s a comfortable interior that’s ideal for those family road trips. The 60/40 split-folding rear seats and two-position load floor make it ready for all kinds of cargo. You get 23.8 cubic feet behind the rear seats, and 63.5 cubic feet with those seats are folded.

2026 Subaru Solterra ・ Photo by Subaru

Responsive Electric Performance

There’s a choice of two powertrains for the 2026 Solterra. The base dual-motor setup has 233 horsepower, which is an improvement over last year. The Limited XT and Touring XT get more powerful motors that offer a total of 338 horsepower for a more robust driving experience. I drove both and found even the base powertrain delivered smooth, responsive acceleration and the instant torque that is a signature feature of electric vehicles.

Choose from Eco, Normal, or Power driving modes to tailor your experience with multiple levels of regenerative braking adjusted with paddles on the steering wheel. No matter which powertrain you choose, the Solterra is a far more responsive EV this year.

2026 Subaru Solterra ・ Photo by Subaru

Improved Range, Faster Charging

Range anxiety and charging speeds continue to be a concern, especially for new EV owners, so Subaru improved both on this year’s Solterra. It now has a driving range of up to 288 miles for the Premium trim and 278 miles for the rest of the trim lineup. Those are solid figures, though they miss that 300-mile sweet spot people like to see. Still, it’s more than enough to handle the average day without needing to charge until you get home.

Charging is now faster and easier. There’s a standard NACS charging port so you can easily plug-in at Tesla Superchargers. The DC fast charging time has also dropped, so going from 10 to 80 percent takes only 30 minutes.

2026 Subaru Solterra ・ Photo by Subaru

Smooth, Capable Handling

The Solterra has a smooth, well-mannered ride that makes it a great long-distance cruiser. There’s a minimum of road and wind noise so it’s easy for kids to snooze in the back. It’s also conducive to conversation with rear passengers who won’t have to raise their voices to be heard by those up front.

The suspension system takes care of rough, pebbled pavement and even mutes all but the most obnoxious potholes. Handling is also good, and while it’s not sporty, it is responsive, enabling the Solterra to handle highway maneuvers and twisting side roads with confidence. We had a chance to take the Solterra off road where it performed beautifully. We enjoyed a controlled ride over rough dirt roads and rocky, uneven trails thanks to 8.3 inches of ground clearance.

2026 Subaru Solterra ・ Photo by Subaru

Advanced Tech Features

This year, the Solterra gets a larger 14-inch high-resolution touchscreen as a standard feature along with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It sits prominently on the center of the dashboard within easy reach of the driver and front passenger. Dual 15W wireless chargers on the center console hold devices firmly in place.

There are also four USB-C ports (two in the front and two in the rear) to keep multiple devices powered. The rear ports are high powered so you can even charge larger devices like tablets. The top Touring XT adds a digital rear-view mirror that ensures you always have a clear view, even when you’re loaded up with cargo or people.

2026 Subaru Solterra ・ Photo by Subaru

Comprehensive Safety Suite

The standard EyeSight safety system includes emergency steering assist, pre-collision brake assist, and proactive driving assist for pedestrian and cyclist avoidance. Lane departure prevention, road sign assist, and lead vehicle start alert are also standard, providing a comprehensive suite of features.

There are also blind-spot monitors, front and rear cross-traffic alerts, and safe exit assist to keep passengers safe as they exit the vehicle. The available panoramic view monitor makes it easier to maneuver in tight parking lots. There are also eight airbags, including knee and side-curtain with rollover sensors, making the Solterra a top choice for safety-conscious buyers.

2026 Subaru Solterra ・ Photo by Subaru

Available Trim Levels

The 2026 Subaru Solterra is available in a choice of Premium, Limited, Limited XT, and Touring XT trim levels. Pricing has yet to be released, but Subaru expects it to be very close to the figures for the 2025 model year, within $100 either way.

Considering all the improvements, the Solterra suddenly becomes a much more attractive option. More power, a refined drive, longer range, and better features usually come with a hefty price increase. It would have been easy to explain a bit of a price jump with all those improvements, but Subaru is holding the line on pricing.

2026 Subaru Solterra ・ Photo by Subaru

Final Thoughts

While some models get changes from one year to the next, the Solterra gets a serious makeover. It has far more striking styling, especially with the new lighting and illuminated Subaru logo. It has a durable, comfortable, and roomy interior that easily accommodates tall adults, even in the rear seats. There’s also more power for both powertrain options, a longer range, and faster charging times.

The new 14-inch touchscreen, dual wireless charging pads, and revised center console make the interior feel more open and premium, with durable materials that can handle adventurous lifestyles. Subaru also holds the line on pricing to keep the Solterra an affordable EV option.

2026 Subaru Solterra ・ Photo by Subaru