By the normal scheme of things, we should have to wait a few years to see Subaru make even modest changes to the Solterra EV it launched in 2023. But the 2026 Subaru Solterra gets some surprisingly notable updates, starting with the Tesla-style NACS charging port. Here’s our review.
All versions of the 2026 Subaru Solterra feature dual motors and all-wheel-drive.
Subaru has made significant changes to the 2026 Solterra EV even though it was first released in 2023. Two years is a short period but Subaru knew in the fast-paced world of electric vehicles waiting too long would leave them behind.
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 that differs from “refreshed” as it indicates some serious changes were made over the previous model.
Subaru brought automotive journalists to Denver, Colorado for first drives of the 2026 Solterra EV. In its second generation the Solterra EV has improvements in almost all areas making it an even more versatile compact crossover.
These are some of what you will find in the 2026 Solterra versus the 2025 Solterra, with a more detailed list at the end of this story.
What’s new for 2026
The 2026 Subaru Solterra adopts the Tesla-style NACS charger port.
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 with the outcome being an impressive achievement that places Subaru squarely on buyer’s shopping lists for small all-electric SUVs.
The 2026 update of the Subaru Solterra builds on what the automaker already brought to market three years ago. It now will offer four trims, the Premium; Limited; Limited XT and Touring XT packages. All come with dual motors and standard all-wheel drive, along with X-Mode for enhanced off-road driving.
Big updates for 2026 see Solterra switch to the North American Charging System (NACS), allowing easy access to Tesla’s Supercharger public charging network. Horsepower is up. On the Limited XT it’s now 233; with the Touring XT rated at 338. There are battery updates, along with a new climatization system making it easier to quick charge. Range, meanwhile, jumps to as much as 288 miles, depending upon the trim package.
Hitting The Paved Road
The Solterra originally debuted in 2023.
The all-new 2026 Solterra does exactly what an electric vehicle is meant to do which is deliver 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 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.
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 strong even past 70 mph.
More Subaru News
- First Drive: 2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid
- Check Out Subaru’s 2026 Outback and Outback Wilderness
- First Look: 2026 Subaru Uncharted EV is Ready to Go Anywhere
Dual drive modes
With the 2026 update Solterra begins to look a bit more differentiated from the Toyota bZ which shares the same EV platform and technology.
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 has paddles on the backside of the steering wheel for brake regeneration which replenishes the battery by converting kinetic energy into electricity when braking or coasting. The regeneration can be increased four levels with the left paddle or decreased with the right paddle. The regeneration levels are not as strong as we have tested elsewhere but with time and practice we acclimated 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 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.
Pushing hard
The original, 2023 Solterra.
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 the 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 loosing 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.
Solterra will soon be joined by two more Subaru EVs, the Uncharted and the Trailseeker.
Hitting The Dirt Road
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.
Still no One-Pedal
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 that 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.
Quicker charging
Ford 2026, the Subaru Solterra has added a new pre-conditioning system designed to bring the battery to an optimum charging temperature, whether heated or cooled, of 70º F. That’s particularly useful when plugging into a DC quick charger. DC fast charging, at a 150-kW maximum, will go from 10% – 80% battery capacity in around 30 minutes.
The battery can be trickle charged with a 120V common wall plug, but expect replenish 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.
But there’s more good news here. 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.
Smoothed-out exterior design
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 re 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 tail lights, with a connecting light strip, take-up little space on the rear.
Revised 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.
Make sure to sign-up for email updates at the top right of the page and to follow Headlight News.
Story by John Faulkner. Photos by John Faulkner and Subaru.
0 Comments