2026 Subaru Solterra First Drive Review: Subaru’s Revamped Electric Crossover Takes On Colorado

The authentic Subaru experience

Subaru's first all-electric vehicle, the Solterra, has been a hit with brand loyalists looking to switch to full EV power since the model's inception in 2022. Still, its sales figures have lagged behind those of more popular rivals, such as the Tesla Model Y, the Hyundai Ioniq 5, and its fraternal twin platform-mate, the Toyota bZ4X (now renamed the bZ). For its 2026 model year, Subaru aims to bridge that gap with a slew of highly anticipated improvements that make the Solterra more efficient, more exciting, and more convenient, not to mention better-looking.

After a long day of messing about in the mountains and small towns that surround Denver, Colorado, where I managed to get us lost in the woods, accidentally achieved full opposite-lock that would make even Colin McRae proud, and got tossed around in my seat on tricky off-road trails with a stomach full of barbecued meats, these are my first impressions of Subaru's battery-powered future.

As a long-time Subaru fan and four-time Subaru owner, having spent my younger years idolizing drivers like Ken Block and Colin McRae who could thrash Imprezas around rally circuits like no other, I was eager about the prospect of getting to rag on a Subaru both on and off the roads around the breathtaking landscapes of Colorado. The question at the forefront of my mind, however, was whether the Solterra could replicate and deliver the authentic Subaru experience behind the wheel without the deep, throaty burble of a flat-four Boxer engine and the underlying threat of head gasket failure. After all, the Solterra gives up the signature Subaru Boxer engine in favor of two electric motors (one on each axle), and it was co-developed with Toyota, so naturally, some fundamental Toyota-isms were to be expected. The answer to this question was surprising.

Sharpened cosmetics freshen the Solterra's vibe, but it's still a bit generic

I imagine that the styling process behind the Subaru Solterra must have been quite a boardroom nightmare from a creative design standpoint, with its designers tasked with the challenging feat of ensuring it resembles a Subaru just as much as it does a Toyota. Thankfully, however, this isn't Subaru and Toyota's first automotive lovechild, having previously partnered for the production of the Subaru BRZ and Toyota GR86, now both in their second generation, which are both heavily praised for their charming looks and impressive driving dynamics. I think the Solterra and bZ twins are effective in their styling to a similar degree as the sportier "Toyobaru" twins, in that they appeal to a specific audience that both brands understand well. Obviously, BRZ and GR86 enthusiasts are unlikely to find the Solterra's styling invigorating to the soul, but those aren't the type of people Subaru is after with the Solterra, necessarily speaking.

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Those to whom the Solterra aims to appeal are people who might have otherwise considered a Forester or an Outback, and appreciate the ruggedness and the "go-anywhere" capability traditional of Subarus, but insist on all-electric power. The Solterra excels in capturing this niche from a styling perspective, integrating unique elements such as painted black fender flares that are well-suited to withstand the rigours of rough trails, and C-shaped LED lights that Subaru loyalists have grown fond of in recent years. For 2026, buyers can even opt for body-matching painted fenders, but I'm glad the contrast fenders are still available, which give the Solterra that signature Outback-ish look.

The Solterra's cabin is sparse on stylistic creativity, but it's built like an anorak

The Solterra's cabin is about as visually stimulating as the inside of a DMV, but its materials would feel right at home hung up on the racks of an REI Co-op. Upholstered in Subaru's proprietary StarTex, a synthetic polyurethane leather alternative, the Solterra's cabin welcomes all the mudstains and salt water you, your family, and your dog will inevitably throw at it after your many adventures. After all, that's what Subaru drivers like to do.

The Solterra's interior comes in a few unique configurations, offering two-tone StarTex options as well as genuine leather options in higher-level trim packages. Perhaps the most glaring visual feature in the Solterra's cabin is its oddly-shaped steering wheel. Although its flat-topped design tends to obstruct the driver's view of the digital gauge cluster, it's surprisingly intuitive to hold onto, and I came to greatly appreciate the comfort that its unconventional shape provides after the first few hours of driving.

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Ergonomically speaking, the Solterra's cabin is much more functional than it looks at first glance – an endearing statement that can be said about most Subarus. Now featuring dual wireless device charging pads, you and your partner won't have to squabble any longer about whose phone has the lowest battery percentage and therefore is more deserving of the charger.

Rear passengers now get dual 60-watt USB-C ports, so you won't have to listen to your kids arguing either. Well, at least not over who gets the charging port; the Solterra's cabin is pretty quiet, so when they do start arguing over where to stop for food on the way home, or whatever it is they'll choose to attack each other with, you'll hear it loud and clear. Thankfully, higher-level trim Solterras are equipped with an upgraded Harman Kardon sound system so that you can drown out their screams of furious anger with the soothing sounds of Mumford & Sons or the depressive, grungey tones of Nirvana, depending on which type of stereotypical Subaru owner you are.

On the road, it's still an authentic Subaru. Off the road, it's more than that

No, the Subaru Solterra does not have an ancient Volkswagen-inspired flat-four engine perched low beneath its hood. Still, its 74.7 kWh lithium-ion battery pack is mounted beneath the cabin floor, between the front and rear axles, keeping the crossover's center of gravity as close to the Ground as possible, just as any authentic Subaru should. As a result, paired with Subaru's full-time symmetrical all-wheel drive system, the Solterra still captures the distinct essence of a Subaru behind the wheel when on the road, which is a genuinely awe-inspiring feat in a segment filled with vehicles that feel nearly identical to drive. I must admit that this came as quite a surprise.

It'll put a smile on your face around both tight and high-speed bends, and it rewards spirited driving with a supple yet calculated suspension feel and immediate throttle response, which is enhanced even further in XT trims, which benefit from up to 338 horsepower. The Solterra's steering could be sharper, and I found it requires more rotation than I'd like to get it around a corner, but that doesn't come at the cost of connectivity. As long as you're paying attention to the feedback in your palms, it'll go where you instruct it to go without complaint or hesitation.

When you're not sending it through its paces on curvy canyon roads, the Solterra is remarkably comfortable at cruising speeds. Its EyeSight ADAS features give you the confidence you need to feel safe, and there is very little road noise. The regenerative braking isn't overly jerky, and one-pedal driving is a breeze if you know how to anticipate reducing your speed correctly. Still, it could benefit from being more aggressive than it is in its highest setting, which can be easily adjusted using paddle shifters mounted behind the steering wheel.

When we left behind the paved roads outside of Denver, replacing asphalt with dirt, gravel, and eventually loose rocks and tree roots, that's when the 2026 Subaru Solterra won me over. Don't think for a minute that this thing is all bark and no bite. Subaru knows that the Solterra's buyers are more likely to take their vehicles off-road than any other vehicle in its class, and they've made damn sure to put their money where their mouths are. This thing is thoroughly impressive on tough terrain, even on trails that Subaru didn't intend us to use.

That's right, during a lengthy stint through the woods just outside of Black Hawk, Colorado, I became distracted by my first-ever wild moose sighting (which, as a Canadian, is just sad) and managed to navigate my drive partner, Suvrat Kothari of InsideEVs.com, who was thankfully very friendly and didn't hold my abysmal sense of direction against me, onto some seriously hardcore trails. It was only when we were staring down what looked like a dried-up waterfall that we realized we might have taken a wrong turn. After checking our map, we learned that we indeed had. We didn't panic, and neither did the Solterra, which managed to pull off a U-turn on the extremely narrow "barely-a-trail" and safely return us to the designated path, with no drama whatsoever.

The Solterra performed with similar confidence on a pre-arranged off-road course that we briefly traversed, where we were able to experience first-hand how capable its "X-Mode" program is for off-road downhill descent control, and test out its "Grip Control" function, which acts like cruise control for off-roading.

On flatter dirt roads that resembled rally stages more than they did a natural forest landscape, the Solterra maintains so much control that it's easy to forget you're no longer on pavement. This rings true so much so that I managed to briefly achieve full opposite-lock around a tighter-than-expected corner, which Subaru's brilliant all-wheel drive system corrected for me, forgivingly and graciously, just as it's done for me countless times in the handful of WRXs and Legacies that I've had the pleasure of owning. If you're familiar with driving a Subaru and how they handle, then you're familiar with how the Solterra drives, regardless of its EV powertrain.

The technical treasures

Final thoughts

For 2026, the Subaru Solterra offers numerous updates in all aspects, ranging from new underpinnings, 26% more battery range, more power, a newly-designed dashboard with a 14-inch central display, larger battery capacity, improved cell insulation and cooling, a NACS charging port, improved aerodynamics, enlarged wheel bearings with 18% less drag, a higher-resolution backup camera, enhanced HV battery crash structure, and even lighter cabin carpetting. The Solterra also remains an IIHS-rated Top Safety Pick+. Official pricing for the 2026 model year is not yet available, but detailed MSRP information for each trim package is expected to be released within the next few weeks.

All these upgrades culminate in a package that is significantly more compelling than that of its outgoing model year, but most importantly, they intentionally contribute to making the Solterra not just as high-quality a vehicle as it can be, but also to hitting all the "hot buttons" that keep Subaru buyers coming back for more. To me, the 2026 Subaru Solterra demonstrates how deeply Subaru understands its customers and what their wants and needs often are. While that recipe may not be as effective at attracting new buyers to the brand as, say, the Hyundai Ioniq 5's striking design and impressive value-for-money proposition, it's sure to hit home with long-time Subaru buyers who are just as loyal to the brand as Subaru is to them.

As a loyal Subaru enthusiast myself, I can't help but greatly appreciate Subaru's commitment to its distinct identity, its unique and quirky customer base, and to producing authentically high-quality products. The Solterra does not stray from the tried and true Subaru recipe, even without the brand's signature Boxer engine beneath the hood. While it's a compelling entry into a highly competitive segment of EV crossovers, that doesn't necessarily guarantee that it makes for a compelling Subaru, as the brand's buyers, myself included, are a bit different. We like to get off the beaten path as much as possible, whether speaking physically, metaphorically, or philosophically.

The 2026 Subaru Solterra holds up not just to what EV buyers expect from a competitive entry into this segment, but also to what Subaru buyers demand from any Subaru; therefore, it wears its star cluster emblem with pride and dignity, carrying the Subaru brand's torch high and mighty onward into the automaker's electrified future.

This story was originally reported by Autoblog on Aug 25, 2025, where it first appeared in the Reviews section. Add Autoblog as a Preferred Source by clicking here.