The 2026 Subaru Solterra debuted at the New York International Auto Show with a dramatic refresh that breathes new life into the once underwhelming EV. Subaru has turned a forgettable crossover into a legitimate player with just one reveal.
The previous model’s specs—227 miles of range, 100-kW max charging, and 216 horsepower—lagged behind the pack. Now, the revamped Solterra improves across the board, backed by sharper styling and upgraded tech inside the cabin.
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More Than a Makeover
The 2026 Subaru Solterra sports a noticeably refreshed face, especially in the Touring trim previewed before its public debut. Gone is the Toyota bZ4X resemblance—replaced by a cleaner front bumper, split-style headlights, and a smoother, more cohesive design.
The new daytime running lights feature six individual LEDs, giving the front end a sharper, more distinctive look. The main headlights jut out from the bumper like gadgetry from a Bond car, while an illuminated Subaru emblem adds a touch of modern polish.
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At the rear, the Solterra keeps most of its original design, including the sharp, Gundam-like winglets and angular taillights. A new spoiler makes a small aerodynamic improvement, but the biggest visual change is the switch from Subaru’s blue emblem to a fashionable, full-width wordmark on the tailgate.
Inside, updates are subtle but meaningful. A new 14.0-inch touchscreen—the largest Subaru has ever offered—anchors the dash, while the center console now includes dual wireless chargers and still offers a spacious open cubby below.
Range With Room to Roam
The updated exterior hints at what’s underneath—a meaningfully improved EV powertrain. While the battery only grows slightly to 74.7 kWh (up from 72.8), the 2026 Solterra now boasts up to 285 miles of range on a single charge.
Subaru hasn’t detailed how it squeezed 25 percent more range from just 2 percent more capacity, but it’s a welcome mystery. The standard dual-motor AWD setup gets a modest bump to 233 horsepower, but the new XT trim takes things further with a robust 338 horsepower.
That output would make the Solterra XT Subaru’s most powerful model—if not for the upcoming 375-horsepower Trailseeker stealing that title.
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The Solterra sticks to its adventurous roots with standard dual-setting X-Mode all-wheel drive, letting drivers toggle between Normal, Snow/Dirt, and Deep Snow/Mud modes. It’s a clear nod to Subaru’s outdoorsy DNA.
Hill descent control also comes standard, giving the Solterra an edge over most electric crossovers in off-road cred. Only the Hyundai Ioniq 5 XRT and its Toyota cousin, the bZ4X, offer similar downhill support.
The 2026 Solterra now comes standard with a NACS connector and a noticeable boost in charging speed. DC fast charging jumps from 100 kW to 150 kW, made possible by a new battery pre-conditioning system that optimizes efficiency on the go.
Despite the faster charging capability, Subaru still quotes a 10–80 percent charge time of 35 minutes—same as before. The difference? With its increased range, you’ll be stopping to charge a lot less often.
A Serious Contender at Last
While the 2026 Solterra might not lead the pack in any single category—aside from Subaru’s famously loyal fan base—it’s finally in the race. With a 285-mile range and 150-kW fast charging, it now holds its own alongside rivals like the updated Ford Mustang Mach-E and dual-motor Chevy Equinox EV.
Its cleaner, Toyota-free design aligns it more with the Forester and Crosstrek, while the larger Trailseeker EV gives shoppers another electric option with more space. For a brand that once had little to offer in the EV space—aside from the occasional lease bargain—Subaru now has something genuinely worth checking out.
Source: Subaru
