Subaru releases more images of its 2022 Solterra electric crossover

The Subaru Solterra was jointly developed with Toyota. Image: Subaru USA

Subaru teases its upcoming Solterra electric crossover, expected to hit the United States early in 2022, as a 2023 model. Jointly developed with Toyota on a shared modular electric-only platform, the Solterra has a striking resemblance to the BZ4X inside and out.

While we don’t have specifics on the drivetrain or battery, we can expect Subaru to have been heavily involved in the all-wheel-drive development, given its expertise in this area. Toyota likely brought its electric drivetrain experience to the table, and together, the two companies hope to minimize development costs, and bring a (relatively) affordable mass-market electric crossover to consumers.

Speaking of which, pricing for both vehicles is expected to start in the mid-to-high $30,000 range for US market vehicles, competing directly with the $39,995 VW ID.4.

The interior of the Subaru Solterra.

The design of the Solterra is — if we’re completely honest — a little underwhelming. As a child of the 1990s, I always used to covet the brand’s range of vehicles, from the quirky styling of various Imprezza WRX models, to the restrained-yet-handsome Liberty/Legacy. Subaru’s reputation for performance always added to the brand’s cache for aspiring drivers too.

Many would agree that in the last few years Subaru’s range of vehicles has been rather forgettable, or at best not particularly memorable. Both Toyota and Subaru are playing it safe with the BZ4X and Solterra from a design and technological standpoint. Don’t expect too many technological firsts as the Japanese auto giants navigate their way through the development of their first electric vehicle. Let's hope that Subaru at least can inject some dynamism into its first battery electric vehicle.

Toyota announced a technology deal with Warren Buffet-backed Chinese battery giant BYD back in 2020, however it remains a tightly held secret as to whether this was simply a research and development joint venture, or whether it will lead to BYD supplying its Blade Battery packs for use in the Solterra/BZ4X.

The Solterra will feature Subaru design cues to differentiate it from the BZ4X.