2024 Subaru Solterra First Drive: Adventure Over Range

What’s New for 2024: More Unique

Despite its relative newness on the market, the Solterra gets a bunch of upgrades for the 2024 model year. They make for a better vehicle and one that better differentiates itself from its platform-sharing cousin, the Toyota bZ4X.

The biggest update is behind the wheel where a new squarish steering wheel resides. It features paddle shifters that can toggle through five levels of regenerative braking which we’re a big fan of, it allows drivers to better find their regen braking sweet spot. 

The new wheel’s flat top allows for a camera mounted on the steering column. It faces the driver as part of the DriverFocus system and is also integral to the hands-free driving system. The latter lets drivers travel at speeds up to 25 mph without any hands on the wheel. It also works in stop-and-go traffic. Other fancy new safety features include Active Lane Change Assist and Front cross-traffic alert. An important footnote here is that the Toyota bZ4X does not get the new squarish wheel or the accompanying safety systems for 2024. 

Exterior Style: Looks the Part

The Solterra remains available in three trim levels. In the United States they are Premium, Limited, and Touring. In Canada they are Solterra AWD, Solterra AWD with Luxury Package, and Solterra AWD with Technology Package. We got to sample the Touring (AWD with Technology Package) painted in Smoked Carbon.

Measuring in at 184.6 inches (4,690 mm) long, it fits right within the compact SUV segment. It’s not as boxy as the Hyundai Ioniq 5, nor is it as wagon-ish like the Kia EV6. The Solterra falls somewhere in the middle with an upright shape that tapers off into an angled rear hatch at the back. 

Compared to the bZ4X, the Solterra features unique headlights and a different front fascia. In the back are Subaru-specific taillights that have a strong resemblance to those on the Crosstrek. During our brief time with the vehicle, many folks commented on how much they liked the look of the EV SUV.

Powertrain and Fuel Economy: Trailing the Competition

All 2024 Subaru Solterra trims come with dual motors and all-wheel drive standard. The two powerplants combine to produce 215 hp and 249 lb-ft of torque. Those numbers trail most of the competition but are still plenty for the vehicle. We wouldn’t call a vehicle that goes from 0 to 60 in the high six-second range slow. That’s not quick either, but there’s still plenty of usable power at all speeds in the Solterra. 

Subaru claims the vehicle achieves 93 MPGe city and 111 MPGe on the highway. This enables the 72.8 kWh battery pack to deliver 227 miles of range on a single charge for entry-level Solterras, or 222 miles (359 km) for our top-of-the-line tester. These numbers are quite low for the class, as is the Solterra’s maximum 100 kW charging speed. 

Handling and Drivability: Off-Road Pedigree

As a 4,486 pound (2,035 kilograms) SUV wearing relatively skinny 235/50R20 tires, the Solterra is not set up to be a cornering marvel. Still, there is active cornering assist (torque vectoring) and the steering is a pleasant surprise. We expected the steering to be over-boosted and somewhat numb, but it’s not. Although not sports-car-levels of engagement, vehicle turn-in is quick and the driver is aware of what the tires are doing up front. 

Where the Solterra really shines though is off-road. We had a chance to drive the vehicle around a forested dirt bike course and were amazed at what it’s capable of. Even with the road-bias tires, the SUV was running through mud-covered hills without misplacing a single wheel. 

Three main factors are behind the Solterra’s off-road prowess. First, there’s the ground clearance. At 8.3 inches (211 mm), the vehicle has more ground clearance than any of its competitors. Next, there is Subaru’s dual X-Mode which uses the vehicle’s throttle and brakes to keep the SUV from getting stuck in the mucky stuff. 

Finally, there’s a feature called Grip Control. It allows drivers to pick between five-speed levels that will propel the Crosstrek forward at a set speed automatically. Almost like a slow-speed cruise control. Even on a muddy, steep incline, the Solterra chugged its way up the hill at 5 mph without our intervention.

Ride Quality and Comfort:

Aside from off-road capability, it’s the Solterra’s ride comfort that excels. The vehicle does a good job swallowing up small to medium bumps and the rebound is kept fully in check. With how well the Crosstrek and Outback ride, we’re not overly surprised that Subaru dialed the Solterra to be smooth. We’re just glad that the brand did. 

The front seats deserve equal praise as they’re also focused on comfort, but still feature sizable side bolsters. In the top trim, both front seats are powered, heated, and ventilated. When opting for the Touring Solterra, the two outboard rear seats are also heated and all seating surfaces are finished in a faux leather seating surface Subaru calls StarTex.

Up front, occupants get 38.6 inches (987 mm) of headroom and 42.1 inches (1,070 mm) of legroom. Those riding in the back get 37.1 inches (965 mm) of headroom and 35.3 inches (898 mm) of legroom.

Behind the rear seats is 23.8 cubic feet (674 liters) of cargo capacity. When no one is sitting in the rear seats, they fold down to enable 63.5 cubic feet (1,798 liters). The front passenger seat can also fold down further for 2024, allowing longer items to squeeze in from the dashboard to the rear hatch. On the downside, there is no front trunk in the Solterra. 

Interior Style and Quality:

The interior of the 2024 Solterra looks like nothing else in Subaru’s lineup as it is co-developed with Toyota. There are some cool touches like the previously mentioned oval steering wheel as well as an almost carpet-like finish in places on the dashboard.

While on the topic of the dash, it is dominated by the large optional 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system. In front of the driver is a customizable digital information center pushed way up by the windshield. It’s fixed in place as the steering wheel adjusts independently.

The rest of the interior looks and feels right for the class, being neither a segment leader nor a backmarker. A nice touch is the soft touch door sills for rear passengers: an area that’s usually skipped. 

Tech and Safety:

The 2024 Subaru Solterra Touring comes with a lot of options expected at the vehicle’s price point like a panoramic sunroof with power sunshade, windshield wiper de-icer, 11-speaker Harman Kardon audio system, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, wireless phone charging pad, 360-degree camera, heated steering wheel, and a power liftgate.

On a safety front, besides the features mentioned earlier that are tied to DriverFocus, other highlights include a blind spot monitor, dynamic radar cruise control with lane tracing and rear pedestrian detection, and more. The vehicle has also earned a Top Safety Pick+ designation from the IIHS.

Final Thoughts:

Subaru is a bit late to the electric vehicle party and the Solterra, although a decent effort, isn’t going to shake things up. It does offer great comfort and impressive off-road capability, but it is short on power, and range compared to the competition. 

Still, for someone who can charge at home and frequently visits nearby tucked-away places to hike, fish, or camp, the Solterra will travel further, with less effort, deeper into the brush.

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