The 2026 Subaru Solterra Is Not What We Expected

• The 2026 Subaru Solterra debuted at the New York Auto Show with some major upgrades. 
• It offers 285 miles of estimated range, a new more powerful XT trim and Tesla’s NACS port. 
• These changes make Subaru’s EV way more competitive. 

Since it went on sale in 2022, the Subaru Solterra always fell into the category of so-so electric vehicles you should mainly consider buying if you can get a great deal. The Japanese automaker seems to get this too. The 2025 model got a $6,500 haircut to its entry price, despite no changes to core specs.

Now for 2026, the crossover is getting major mid-cycle updates that may make it a true contender in the electric space for the first time.

Photo by: Patrick George

2026 Subaru Solterra: Live Photos

Between that and the all-new 2026 Subaru Trailseeker, which also debuted today, Subaru’s EV lineup is getting a major glow-up. That’s a big deal for a brand that’s always seemed primed to do well in the EV space—its customers are environmentally minded and outdoorsy—but lacked strong products.

Chalk that up to Subaru being a small company and also part of a wider Japanese auto industry that has not been gung-ho on electrification.

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Source: Patrick George

Subaru unveiled the new Solterra at the New York International Auto Show on Wednesday, announcing improvements like 25% more range thanks to a larger 74.7-kilowatt-hour battery. The 2026 model delivers a respectable estimated range of “more than 285 miles,” a mighty jump from the outgoing model’s measly 227. Welcome to the big leagues, Subaru. 

Charging is improved in various ways, too. The 2026 Solterra comes with battery preconditioning that warms the pack to prepare for fast-charging. That was lacking on prior models. Its max power rating at charging stations has jumped from 100 kilowatts to 150. A 10-80% charge still happens in 35 minutes, as with the outgoing model. But now that same stop gets you more mileage, which is what really matters. 

Photo by: Subaru

And the new Solterra comes from the factory with the Tesla-designed NACS charging port, which should facilitate adapter-free charging at thousands of Tesla Superchargers. 

Beefier motors in front and rear bring the Solterra’s horsepower rating up to 233 from 215. And a new XT variant bumps that up to a very solid 338 horsepower. Subaru says that trim will sprint to 60 mph in under five seconds. And it says the EV has been updated for “better steering and responsiveness.”

Photo by: Subaru

And, since this is a Subaru after all, the Solterra comes with solid ground clearance of 8.3 inches, all-wheel-drive across trims and off-road drive modes for snow and mud. 

Subaru also gave the new Solterra an all-new front end with a new headlight signature for the brand’s EVs. And the updated interior now offers a larger, 14-inch infotainment display. All in all, the updates are substantial. And we expected as much given the overhaul Toyota recently unveiled for the bZ4X, which the Solterra is based on. 

Photo by: Subaru

The changes are welcome. The previous car had some glaring flaws, but in spite of them, I enjoyed the 2024 Solterra I tested last year. 

I think it’s a good size and has a stylish, functional interior with lots of analog buttons. The digital gauge cluster is pushed way back and up toward the windshield, almost functioning as a head-up display in that it’s near your sight line to the road. It’s nice to drive too, with responsive steering and good body control. My test car even had a hands-free traffic-jam assist function.

Photo by: InsideEVs

The 2024 Subaru Solterra I drove last year. 

And it’s a handsome vehicle. (Based on the handout photos, I can’t quite say the same about the 2026 model, but I’ll withhold judgment until I can see it in person.)

Limited range and slow charging speeds held the previous Solterra back from going toe-to-toe with the best stuff coming out of Tesla, Hyundai, Kia and General Motors these days. Plus, I didn’t love its software. I found the infotainment system snappy enough, but also lacking the functionality and wow factor you get from some rivals. Some basics you’d ideally see in any EV’s navigation system were nowhere to be found, like a one-tap shortcut to find charging stations or one’s estimated range upon arrival to a destination. 

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Source: Subaru

We’ll be eager to learn how much the Solterra costs and see what it’s like to live with soon. As it stands, longer range, battery preconditioning, faster charging and a NACS port stand to transform the Subaru from an also-ran into a more serious competitor. 

Got a tip about the EV world? Contact the author: Tim.Levin@InsideEVs.com