The heavily updated Subaru Solterra electric SUV has arrived in Australia, and behind its new face is refreshed tech and a larger battery, promising more driving range and more power – sweetened by price cuts of up to $7000.
The two-model Solterra range now starts at $63,990 before on-roads – a whopping $6000 cheaper than the outgoing model – while the flagship Touring costs $69,990 before on-roads, a further $7000 down from its predecessor.
The facelifted Solterra also boasts a substantial driving range increase of up to 152km, bringing total WLTP range to 566km for the base Solterra AWD. Range for the flagship Solterra AWD Touring, meanwhile, has increased by 103km to 517km.
Subaru claims that this has been achieved through the inclusion of a larger 74.7kWh lithium-ion battery (up from 71.4kWh) sourced from Chinese manufacturer CATL, along with improved electric motor efficiency and optimised, streamlined aerodynamics.
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Like the bZ4X, the Solterra has received a healthy power bump. The dual-motor, all-wheel drive SUV now produces a peak power output of 252kW, albeit with no peak torque claim, making it the most powerful mainstream Subaru ever produced.
The AC charging rate has also been increased to 22kW from 11kW, while DC fast charging remains unchanged at 150kW, with an approximate 10-80 per cent charging time of 30 minutes.
Additionally, Subaru says it has introduced an intelligent adaptive torque system. According to the brand, front-motor torque is increased on corner entry to assist turn-in, with this torque progressively shifted to the rear motor through the corner to enhance balance, stability, and traction under acceleration.
This is aided by slight suspension tweaks that are intended to improve ride comfort, particularly in the rear seats.
Inside, the new Solterra gets Subaru’s first 14-inch touchscreen infotainment display, shared with the bZ4X, along with a revised centre console with dual 15W wireless phone chargers. Synthetic leather upholstery is standard, along with powered front seat adjustment and heating.
Outside, two-tone paint options will be available for the flagship Touring, while all models get a redesigned body-coloured front fascia and gloss black wheel-arch cladding (overseas models have been shown with body-coloured cladding). Tweaks to the rear are minimal, though a new ‘SUBARU’ wordmark has replaced the six-star badge.
Interestingly, the Solterra has beaten its updated Toyota bZ4X sister model to Australia, which will bring many of the same improvements. That model is still slated to arrive before the end of the year.
Orders are now open for the updated Solterra. Subaru Australia confirmed to CarExpert earlier this month that vehicles would arrive during November ahead of customer deliveries commencing imminently.
Pricing
| Model | Price before on-roads |
|---|---|
| 2026 Subaru Solterra AWD | $63,990 (-$6000) |
| 2026 Subaru Solterra AWD Touring | $69,990 (-$7000) |
Drivetrains and Efficiency
The Solterra’s battery capacity has been slightly increased, while Subaru claims that drivetrain optimisations and sleeker styling have contributed to a substantial increase in driving range. Peak combined power is also up to 252kW, though peak combined torque has not been quoted – the outgoing model produces 337Nm.
| Specifications | Subaru Solterra | Subaru Solterra Touring |
|---|---|---|
| Drivetrain | Dual-motor electric | Dual-motor electric |
| Battery | 74.7kWh li-ion (+3.3kWh) | 74.7kWh li-ion (+3.3kWh) |
| Peak front motor outputs | 167kW/268Nm | 167kW/268Nm |
| Peak rear motor outputs | 88kW/169Nm | 88kW/169Nm |
| Peak system power | 252kW (+92kW) | 252kW (+92kW) |
| Peak system torque | TBC | TBC |
| Drive type | All-wheel drive | All-wheel drive |
| Tare mass | 1980kg (-35kg) | 2005kg (-55kg) |
| Energy consumption (claimed) | 14.6kWh/100km | 16.0kWh/100km |
| Claimed range (WLTP) | 566km (+152km) | 517km (+103km) |
| Max AC charge rate | 22kW (+11kW) | 22kW (+11kW) |
| Max DC charge rate | 150kW (10-80% 30mins) | 150kW (10-80% 30mins) |
| Unbraked towing capacity | 750kg | 750kg |
| Braked towing capacity | 1500kg (+750kg) | 1500kg (+750kg) |
Dimensions
Measurements are unchanged for the updated Solterra.
| Dimensions | Subaru Solterra |
|---|---|
| Length | 4690mm |
| Width | 1860mm |
| Height | 1650mm |
| Wheelbase | 2850mm |
| Ground clearance | 212mm |
| Cargo capacity | 421L rear seats up, 1980L rear seats folded (base) 410L rear seats up, 2005L rear seats folded (Touring) |
Servicing and Warranty
Like its wider Australian range, Subaru backs the 2026 Solterra with a five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty. Servicing is required every 12 months or 15,000km, whichever comes first.
| Servicing and Warranty | Subaru Solterra |
|---|---|
| Warranty | 5 years, unlimited kilometres |
| High-voltage battery warranty | 8 years, 160,000km |
| Roadside assistance | 12 months |
| Service intervals | 12 months or 15,000km |
| Capped-price servicing | 5 years |
Individual capped-price service costs are detailed below:
| Service | Price |
|---|---|
| 12 months, 15,000km | $128.87 |
| 24 months, 30,000km | $290.55 |
| 36 months, 45,000km | $128.87 |
| 48 months, 60,000km | $300.85 |
| 60 months, 75,000km | $134.43 |
| Average annual service cost | $196.71 |
| Total capped-price service cost | $983.57 |
Safety
The Subaru Solterra has a five-star ANCAP safety rating based on testing conducted in 2022 of the related Toyota bZ4X.
| Category | Subaru Solterra |
|---|---|
| Adult occupant protection | 88 per cent |
| Child occupant protection | 88 per cent |
| Vulnerable road user protection | 79 per cent |
| Safety assist | 93 per cent |
Standard safety equipment highlights:
- 8 airbags, incl:
- Front
- Front-side
- Curtain
- Driver’s knee
- Front centre
- Adaptive cruise control
- Autonomous emergency braking
- Blind-spot monitoring
- Driver monitoring system
- Emergency driving stop system
- Front and rear parking sensors
- Front-view monitor
- Lane departure warning
- Lane-trace assist (lane centring)
- Low-speed acceleration suppression
- Multi-terrain monitor
- Rear cross-traffic alert
- Reversing camera
- Safe exit assist
- Surround-view camera
- Traffic sign recognition
- Tyre pressure monitoring
The Solterra Touring adds advanced park assist.
Standard Equipment
The updated Subaru Solterra is offered in two grades.
2026 Subaru Solterra equipment highlights:
- 18-inch alloy wheels (with aerodynamic cap)
- Tyre repair kit
- Automatic LED headlights
- LED tail lights
- Puddle lamps
- Rain-sensing wipers
- Automatic power-folding heated side mirrors
- Digital rear-view mirror
- Leather-wrapped steering wheel
- Heated steering wheel
- Black synthetic leather upholstery
- 8-way power-adjustable front seats
- Driver’s seat power lumbar support
- Heated front seats
- Heated outboard rear seats
- 7.0-inch digital instrument display
- 14.0-inch infotainment display (NEW)
- Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- Satellite navigation
- DAB+ digital radio
- 6-speaker sound system
- 2 x wireless phone chargers (NEW)
- 2 x front USB-C ports
- 2 x rear USB-C ports
- Hands-free power tailgate
- Steering wheel regen paddles
- Dual-zone climate control
- Interior ambient lighting
- X-Mode drive mode (2 modes)
The Solterra Touring adds:
- 20-inch alloy wheels
- Panoramic glass roof
- Auto-dipping side mirrors with position memory
- Two-position driver’s seat memory
- Ventilated front seats
- 10-speaker Harman Kardon sound system
- 1500W V2L power outlet
Options
Two-tone exterior paint is available for only the top-spec Touring, which includes leather-accented blue and black interior upholstery. This costs an extra $1500.
Additionally, two accessory charging packs are available across the range. These comprise a single-phase charger bundle ($2250) and a three-phase charger bundle ($2645).
Colours
Six standard colours are available for the 2026 Subaru Solterra, alongside a pair of Touring-only two-tone options.
2026 Subaru Solterra colours:
- Cosmic White Pearl Mica
- Attitude Black Mica
- Smoked Carbon – $660
- Harbour Mist Grey Pearl – $660
- Elemental Red Pearl – $660
- Dark Blue Mica – $660
Solterra Touring two-tone colours:
- Cosmic White Pearl Mica/Attitude Black Mica – $1500
- Harbour Mist Grey Pearl/Attitude Black Mica – $1500