New Subaru Solterra electric SUV: prices, specs and release date

• First-ever electric Subaru
• Four-wheel-drive with 289-mile range
• On sale July 2022 from £49,995

Subaru has announced pricing for its first-ever electric car: the Subaru Solterra SUV. This new model starts from £49,995 and promises a range of up to 289 miles, plus the same technology and platform from the new Toyota bZ4X.

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The Solterra is set to go on sale in July 2022, and will be available in two distinct trim levels. The electric SUV segment is one of the hottest right now, with the Solterra going on to rival the all-new Kia e-Niro, as well as the Volkswagen ID.4, and Skoda Enyaq iV.

2022 Subaru Solterra: pricing and specifications

UK buyers have a choice of Limited and Touring trim levels when configuring a new Subaru Solterra. Starting from £49,995, the Limited model is the entry point into the range; this is more expensive than the entry-level Toyota bZ4X, however it is much more generously equipped. Standard kit includes 18-inch alloy wheels, heated front and rear seats, plus a heated steering wheel, a 360-degree camera system, a digital rear-view mirror, and a powered tailgate. All models of the Solterra get an energy-efficient heat pump as well as advanced driver assistance and safety features such as adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist and automatic emergency braking.

The range-topping Subaru Solterra Touring model starts from £52,995. These cars benefit from larger 20-inch alloy wheels, luxurious synthetic leather upholstery, a fixed glass panoramic roof, wireless phone charging and an upgraded Harman Kardon sound system.

Buyers looking to personalise their new Solterra can choose from a range of six different exterior colours; only white is included, with the other shades costing £550 extra. A two-tone roof can also be specified when choosing the Harbour Mist Grey paint for a further £395.

Design and dimensions

The Solterra has the familiar Subaru face, including a smoothed-off hexagonal front grille, an angular front bumper, and angled headlights that feature LED daytime running lights. The car’s side profile looks broadly similar to the Lexus RZ 450e, with which the Subaru also shares its platform; both adopt squared wheel arch cladding and a rakish rear hatch design. At the rear, there’s a pair of wraparound u-shaped LED lights and an angular bumper design with a panel of contrasting black cladding.

The car is roughly the same size as the Subaru Forester and has 210mm of ground clearance. Boot space is yet to be confirmed

Electric motor, range and platform

Subaru has revealed that the Solterra will only be available as four-wheel-drive in the UK. This means all versions of the Solterra get the brand’s X-MODE AWD control system and Grip Control function to help boost traction. The combination of two electric motors produces 215bhp and can propel the Subaru from 0-62mph in a brisk 6.9 seconds, despite it weighing over two tonnes.

Every Solterra also gets a 71.4kWh battery, offering a range of up to 289 miles. Buyers who choose the more luxurious Touring model will see this number reduced to 257 miles, due to the bigger wheels and extra features. All models get 150kW rapid-charging capability as standard, allowing for a 20-80% top up in just under 20 minutes when connected to a compatible public fast-charger.

The new car sits on the ‘e-Subaru Global Platform’, which was jointly developed with Toyota for electric vehicles. The position of battery is set to give the car a low centre of gravity, which Subaru claims gives the car strong stability and driving dynamics. The platform can also be adapted to underpin other models, with both Toyota and Subaru planning a larger electric SUV model and a saloon car.

Interior and technology

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Inside, the interior looks very similar to the bZ4X, with a large central infotainment touchscreen and a smaller high-mounted digital dial cluster. Soft-touch fabrics cover parts of the dashboard, which appears to feature various touch controls and a rotary control dial.

Subaru’s shift to pure-electric models follows the introduction of the hybrid e-Boxer petrol engines for the Forester SUV and Subaru XV crossover, and is part of the firm’s long-term plan to reduce CO2 emissions across its lineup. The Japanese firm is aiming for pure-electric and hybrid models to account for around 40% of its global sales figures by 2030.

To learn more about the current Subaru SUV line-up, read our in-depth reviews of the Subaru Forester and Subaru XV.