Updated 2026 Subaru Solterra EV Boasts More Than 285 Miles of Range
Competes with: Ford Mustang Mach-E, Hyundai Ioniq 5, Kia EV6, Volkswagen ID.4
Looks like: A more polished version of itself
Powertrain: 233- or 338-horsepower dual electric motors; 74.7-kilowatt-hour battery; all-wheel drive
Release date: Fall 2025
The Solterra, Subaru’s first electric vehicle, launched for the 2023 model year and is the result of a collaboration with Toyota that also begat the Toyota bZ4X. The Solterra is comfortable and spacious enough, but its range was hardly competitive with other EVs. Two short model years later, its best of 227 miles seems woefully short.
Enter the 2026 Solterra, unveiled at the New York International Auto Show alongside Subaru’s all-new Trailseeker EV, an electric wagon that looks like it was intended to be called “Outback.” The Solterra boasts a tremendously improved range, a new high-output XT trim, and refined styling inside and out.
Related: More 2025 New York Auto Show Coverage
What Is the 2026 Solterra’s Range?
Like the Trailseeker, the new Solterra packs a 74.7-kilowatt-hour battery. Subaru must have made some major improvements to its electrical systems, because while that’s just 1.9 kWh more capacity than the 2025 Solterra’s pack had, it leads to an increase of more than 25% in the SUV’s range. An official figure is to be determined, but Subaru promises it will be more than 285 miles. That’s an improvement of 58 miles and lands the Solterra smack in the middle of its competitive set.
Now that Subaru EVs can use Tesla charging stations, the Solterra comes fitted with a standard Tesla charging port, known as the North American Charging Standard. Capable of DC fast charging at up to 150 kilowatts, the 2026 Solterra can juice up from 10% to 80% charge in less than 35 minutes.
More Power, Better Managed
Being a Subaru, the Solterra is of course all-wheel drive. But its increased range isn’t the only big news with this update: With a total of 233 horsepower, the 2026 Solterra is up 18 hp over the 2025 model, and there’s also a new XT trim in which the electric motors’ total output leaps to 338 hp. Subaru says that’s enough for a sub-5-second sprint from 0-60 mph. The company also says it has improved the AWD controller managing front and rear motor outputs for better power distribution and traction, as well as the Solterra’s suspension and steering in search of sharper handling.
New Duds
It’s hard to miss the Solterra’s freshened exterior styling. Gone are the black plastic front fenders, although only with some colors. While body-color fenders will be available, some paint choices will get the black pieces, and the automaker notes that it will also offer two-tone color combos on the face-lifted EV. There is also a refined front end that does away with the awkward kissing-fish grille panel, as well as an illuminated Subaru logo and six-element headlights that, together with the Trailseeker, establish a new lighting signature for Subaru EVs.
Inside, the Solterra upgrades from an available 12.3-inch touchscreen to a 14-inch unit, with the center stack below it redesigned to free up space for two wireless device charging pads. Subaru’s EyeSight safety suite is included, although it is unclear at this point which technologies and capabilities will be standard and which will be optional or included on higher trim levels.
What Is the 2026 Solterra’s Release Date and Pricing?
The redesigned 2026 Subaru Solterra will arrive at dealerships later in 2025. Official pricing will be announced closer to the start of sales.
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