Fast Facts | 2026 Subaru Solterra Touring XT
🔋 Range: 278 miles Touring XT | 288 miles base Premium
⚡ Power: 338 hp from dual electric motors
🔌 Charging: 150-kW DC maximum | 10% to 80% in about 28 minutes
🌲 Capability: Standard AWD, X-Mode, hill-descent control, and 8.3 inches of clearance
📦 Cargo: 23.8 cubic feet behind the rear seats | 63.5 cubic feet maximum
🖥️ Technology: 14-inch touchscreen, digital rearview mirror, and dual 15-watt wireless chargers
💰 Price: Touring XT starts at $45,555 before destination | Tester approximately $47,480
The Subaru Solterra is a two-row, all-electric SUV that's essentially a rebranded version of the Toyota bZ (formerly the bZ4X), and it's been massively improved for 2026. More range, more horsepower, faster charging, and refined driving dynamics have transformed what was once a merely so-so EV into one that’s worth considering if you want to go electric.
Big Changes for 2026
For 2026, Subaru gave the Solterra a larger 74.7-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery pack for significantly more range. The onboard charger is now rated at 11 kilowatts for faster at-home charging. You also now get a North American Charging Standard (NACS) port, which is sleeker and easier to use than the older CCS design. On top of that, the electric motors are more powerful, the all-wheel-drive control system has been reworked for better handling and comfort, the suspension’s been retuned, there are dual 15-watt wireless charging pads inside, and a larger 14-inch touchscreen is now standard. Phew! What a list.
Many of these enhancements address the old Solterra's biggest shortcomings, though there are still a few, let’s just say, unusual aspects to this Subaru. But overall, this is a much stronger vehicle.
Checkin’ the Specs
With a full charge, the Solterra delivers an EPA-estimated maximum range of 288 miles, but the Touring XT model tested here, as well as other higher trims, tops out at 278. That’s a respectable showing, though it falls short of some rivals. A comparable 2026 Chevy Equinox EV with all-wheel drive is EPA-rated at 307 miles, for instance. It'd be nice to have 300 miles, but 278 will be more than enough for most drivers.
The Solterra’s maximum DC fast-charging rate is now a decent 150 kW, which is enough to get you from 10 to 80 percent in around 30 minutes. That’s a good, if not outstanding, performance, though other EVs are quicker. The Hyundai Ioniq 5, in comparison, can charge at up to 250 kW and can go from 10 to 80 percent in about 20 minutes.
Cargo space is a strong suit of the Solterra. You get 23.8 cubic feet behind the second row, and when you fold the split backrest down, that number expands to 63.5 cubes. These are solid figures, slightly more total space than you get in either the Equinox EV or Ioniq 5.
Power comes from two electric motors, one at each axle. Lower trims put out 233 horsepower, which is perfectly capable for everyday driving. But the XT variants pack a more potent punch, with 338 horsepower. Stand on the accelerator, and this SUV explodes off the line and keeps on pulling at higher speeds. The performance here is impressive.
A Pleasant and Comfortable Cabin
The cabin is comfortable, reasonably spacious, and well-equipped. I appreciate the clean, attractive design as well as the blue leatherette that adds some personality without going over the top.
Standard features include heated front seats and a 10-way power driver’s chair. Higher trims add ventilation, an eight-way power front passenger seat, and rear seat heating. Rear legroom is good, though headroom is a little tight for adults taller than 6 feet.
The Solterra’s new price and 288-mile maximum range make it far more competitive among affordable electric crossovers, as reflected in our roundup of the Best EVs Under $40K ➜
The Touring XT also includes a digital rearview mirror, a feature I love. It takes a video feed from a rear-facing camera and displays it on the screen behind the mirror glass, giving you a dramatically wider view of what's behind you. The standard 14-inch touchscreen uses a familiar Toyota-based infotainment system that's intuitive and responsive, even if there are better offerings in some competitors.
Aside from a pair of temperature dials, this central display is also how you operate most of the vehicle’s climate control system, including the available radiant heaters mounted under the dashboard and steering column. This is an effective — if highly unusual — feature.
Unlike Any Other Vehicle
Similarly, the Solterra lacks a glovebox on the passenger side of the dashboard. Instead, you have to store your odds and ends in the somewhat small center bin. The dual wireless phone chargers are nice, but they take up a lot of real estate on the center console and are angled slightly rearward, so items tend to slide around while you're driving. The rotary shifter also takes some getting used to.
Then there’s the instrument cluster. It’s mounted high on the dashboard for good visibility, but in order to make that work, the steering wheel is very small and flat on the top and bottom. It feels very strange at first. After about 100 miles, it starts to feel normal.
Hittin’ the Road (and Trail)
The Solterra is surprisingly pleasant to drive. It's extremely quick, and the ride is well-controlled and firm without ever feeling harsh. The enhanced body rigidity and upgraded suspension provide a premium feel that many EVs lack. Too many competing electrics have bouncy, unsettled rides, but not this one.
The wheel itself may seem odd at first, but this Subaru’s steering has nice heft, and it tackles corners with some enthusiasm. The Solterra is more playful and engaging than many other EVs out there.
Subaru’s EyeSight suite of driver aids comes standard and includes features like front cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and much more.
If you want to venture off the beaten path, the Solterra has you covered, too. This Subaru has a generous 8.3 inches of ground clearance, plus there’s X-Mode, which tailors the AWD system to different conditions, and you even get hill-descent control for added confidence on the trail.
About the only complaint I have regarding this vehicle's dynamics is tire noise. It seems slightly louder on certain roadway surfaces than in other vehicles, but this is a minor gripe.
Massively Improved and Fairly Priced
This is a far better vehicle than it was before, thanks to all the improvements that were made for 2026. I was really iffy about recommending the old bZ4X and Solterra, but aside from some interior oddities, there's nothing that should steer you away if you’re shopping for an EV.
Pricing is another great reason to grab a Solterra. The base trim has an MSRP right around $40,000, but even this high-end Touring XT model isn’t outrageous. My tester has an estimated MSRP of $47,480, including $475 for special paint and $1,450 in destination fees. Now, that’s not inexpensive, but it is less than the average new vehicle transaction price these days, and for the fully loaded model, which isn’t too bad, especially when you factor in all the improvements that have been made.
⚡Keep Exploring Electric Crossovers
Toyota’s 2026 bZ Finally Gets It Right
The Solterra’s closely related Toyota counterpart receives many of the same major upgrades, including more range, stronger performance, faster charging, and native NACS access.
2026 Chevrolet Equinox EV Drive Review: Two Sides to the Story
The Equinox EV offers more range and available Super Cruise, making it a compelling alternative for shoppers who prioritize commuting and highway driving.
2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5 XRT Review: Trail-Ready Without the Trade-Offs
The Ioniq 5 XRT combines quicker charging with off-road-inspired capability, giving adventurous EV shoppers another rugged electric crossover to consider.
