Subaru USA announces 2023 Solterra electric SUV pricing

Subaru’s 2023 Solterra EV. Images: Subaru of America

• All-wheel drive as standard

• On sale in all 50-states

• Available in Premium, Limited and Touring trim levels, with a starting MSRP of $44,995

• Vehicle eligible for up to $7,500 federal tax credit

• Solterra reservation holders will receive a Charging Choice Offer

• 10-days of complimentary vehicle rental through Subaru Just Drive Program

Subaru of America, Inc. have announced the pricing for the 2023 Subaru Solterra. Underneath the bodywork, the Solterra is a twin of Toyota’s bZ4x, and will go on sale this coming summer.

Pricing begins at $44,995 MSRP for the Premium trim level, before a potential Federal tax credit of up to $7,500. The Limited trim starts from an MSRP of $48,495. The top-of-the-line Touring trim is priced from $51,995. The destination and delivery charge for the 2023 Solterra is $1,225.10.

Solterra comes standard with a new Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive system (the same as in the top-specification Toyota bZ4x) that Subaru claims to provide outstanding traction and capability in all kinds of weather and terrain. The Solterra SUV delivers a total of 215 horsepower (160 kW) and 249 lb.-ft. (337Nm) of torque from front and rear electric motors.

According to Subaru, “Solterra’s high-capacity lithium-ion battery pack provides plenty of daily range”. The reality is not looking great however; with around 220 miles (354km) of EPA range, the Solterra charges its 71.4 kWh battery at a maximum rate of 100kW. These days, most mainstream EVs peak at 150kW as a bare minimum.

2023 Subaru Solterra Image Gallery

2023 Subaru Solterra trim levels

Solterra Premium
The Solterra Premium has a value driven starting price of $44,995 and comes with heated front seats and exterior mirrors; windshield wiper de-icer; 18-inch aluminum alloy wheels paired with 235/60 R18 tires; 7-inch LCD gauge display; Automatic Climate Control with S-FLOW; Rear Seat Reminder; and LED headlights (multi-beam low and single beam high).

The Premium trim comes standard with an all-new multimedia system featuring an 8-inch high-resolution touchscreen; smartphone integration with wireless Apple CarPlay®, wireless Android™ Auto; AM/FM HD stereo; SiriusXM All-Access Radio (4-month audio trial subscription); integrated streaming (30-day free trial); and Bluetooth hands-free phone and audio. A wireless charging phone dock for the center console is also available as an accessory.

The Premium also includes Blind Spot Monitor; Rear Camera Detection with Pedestrian Warning; and Parking Support Brake (PKSB) and Safe Exit Assist.

Power door locks, power exterior mirrors, and power windows with one-touch auto up/down are included. The vehicle charge port on the left front fender includes a power lock and automatic charging cable lock. The center console is equipped with five USB ports including a USB A input/charge port in the front, upper section; (dual) USB C charge ports in the front, lower section; (dual) USB C charge ports in the rear.

Solterra Limited
The Solterra Limited starts at $48,495 and includes all the standard equipment from the Premium and adds the all-new multimedia system featuring a 12.3-inch high-resolution horizontal touchscreen; smartphone integration with wireless Apple CarPlay®, wireless Android™ Auto; AM/FM HD stereo; SiriusXM All-Access Radio (4-month free subscription); integrated streaming (30-day free subscription); Bluetooth hands-free phone and audio; and available cloud-based navigation system (one-year free subscription). A wireless charging phone dock in the center console is also standard on Limited. There’s also a 360-degree Panoramic View Monitor with Advanced Park auto parking system.

The Limited also adds comfort and convenience features including a 10-way power driver’s seat; heated rear seats (outboard positions); heated steering wheel; Harman Kardon premium audio system; LED fog lights; power rear door with automatic close and height memory; rain-sensing wiper system; and roof rails. The Limited comes standard with a roof spoiler (split) and 20-inch aluminum alloy wheels paired with 235/50R 20 all-season tires.

Solterra Touring
The Touring trim level, with a starting price of $51,995, includes all the standard equipment of the Limited, plus a digital rear-new mirror with view position adjustment and HomeLink®; ventilated front seats; panoramic moonroof with power sunshade; and front and rear LED footwell lighting. The Touring trim also has a two-tone exterior paint option.

Charging the Subaru Solterra with EVgo

SOA has partnered with EVgo to provide customers with access to a public charging network of more than 46,000 locations across the U.S. This includes access to 800+ public fast charging locations and 1,200+ Level 2 charging stalls across 35 states. EVgo is also powered by 100% renewable energy. Solterra reservation holders will receive a Charging Choice Offer in anticipation of their upcoming vehicle delivery. Subaru will also apparently provide an offer for reservation holders including a EVgo Charging Credit or money towards the purchase and installation of a Home Level 2 Charger by QMerit.

For potential customers Down Under, Subaru Australia accidentally published a line on its website last week stating that the new Solterra will be available in 2023. The company has refused to confirm this however. A 2023 launch seems plausible, and the Solterra is expected to go head-to-head with Skoda’s ENYAQ IV, the Volkswagen ID.4 and Toyota bZ4X.

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.

Subaru announces the all electric Solterra SUV, on sale from 2022 in the Northern Hemisphere

Subaru’s Solterra will be available in the Northern Hemisphere in 2022. Images: Subaru USA

Subaru’s all-electric SUV will be named Solterra.

Subaru’s planned fully-electric SUV now has a name — Solterra — and it is based on a platform co-developed with Toyota. Subaru names the architecture the e-Subaru Global Platform, whereas over in Toyota City, it’s known as the e-TNGA platform and underpins the BZ4X Concept.

We know little of the technical specifications at this stage (much like the BZ4X), however Subaru and Toyota have confirmed both vehicles will be fitted with all wheel drive as standard.

The name Solterra was born from the latin words for “Sun” and “Earth” to represent Subaru’s commitment to “delivering traditional SUV capabilities in an environmentally responsible package”. The company has yet to comment on whether this means that the manufacturing process is carbon neutral, or that the car contains recycled/planet-friendly components.

Subaru promises to increase electrified model range

This is the first in a series of battery-electric models from the automaker, as Subaru targets an electric-ish future with plans for the early 2030s to “apply electrification technologies to all Subaru vehicles sold worldwide”. According to the fine print accompanying this statement, Subaru is referring to fully electric as well as petrol hybrid technologies.

Let’s hope the Solterra also represents a new design direction for the company; the last few years have — in our opinion — shown a decline in Subaru’s design direction, with a number of derivative, unremarkable vehicles coming out of their design studio. Hyundai has certainly laid out a challenge with the bold Ioniq 5, and Audi’s Q4 brings a sharp, contemporary style to the traditional SUV silhouette.

The Solterra is scheduled to go on sale in Northern Hemisphere markets initially, reaching Canada, the US, China, Japan and Europe sometime in 2022. The Driven has confirmed that Subaru Australia has no plans to release the Solterra in the short term.

Source: Subaru USA