Subaru MY26 Solterra offers more for less
Subaru’s updated MY26 Solterra EV offers more power and range at a lower purchase price.
Subaru is hoping to give its slow-selling Solterra EV a shot in the arm with an MY26 update that brings valuable improvements to range and performance, and at a lower purchase price.
Pricing for the new MY26 Solterra AWD starts at $63,990 (MRLP), a significant reduction on it launch pricing of $77,990 back in March 2024.
The top-spec Solterra AWD Touring now costs $69,990 (MRLP), down from a 2024 launch price of $83,690 (MRLP).
That alone positions the Solterra far more competitively against segment leader the Tesla Model Y, which starts from $58,900 (MRLP) for the Rear-Wheel Drive (RWD) variant, rising to $68,900 for the more comparable AWD Long-Range variant, given that the Solterra is all-wheel drive only.
Exterior design changes that distinguish the new model include a new front bumper, redesigned headlamps, new rear garnish and newly designed 18-inch or 20-inch wheels (depending on variant).
The Solterra also now boasts more powerful dual electric motors which produce a combined 252kW/438Nm which compares favourably with the Tesla Model Y RWD’s 255kW/450Nm but pales against the Model Y Long-Range AWD variant which musters a potent 378kW/493Nm.
The Solterra’s revised power output is a significant 57% increase over the outgoing model, and it’s backed by a larger 74.7kWh lithium-ion battery that delivers a maximum range of up to 566km (WLTP) for the base model versus the old model’s 71.4kWh battery and 414km driving range. The Solterra AWD Touring, meanwhile, delivers a range of up to 517km.
Despite the improvements, both Solterra variants still trail the 600km (WLTP) driving range of the Tesla Model Y Long-Range AWD, with its 79kWh (usable) NMC battery.
Other notable improvements to the MY26 Solterra include an increase in maximum AC charging performance from 11kW to 22kW, and a refreshed cabin featuring a new 14-inch infotainment centre, dual wireless phone chargers, and a 64-colour ambient lighting option.
The updated infotainment display enables wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, while acoustic glass and suspension updates are claimed to deliver a quieter and more composed drive.
Now as before, the Solterra boasts above-average rough-road ability thanks to 212mm of ground clearance, plus X-Mode and Drive Mode Select systems which allow drivers to tailor vehicle response and grip to the road conditions.
The MY26 update also brings a welcome boost to the Subaru EV’s towing capacity, with the maximum towing capacity increased to 1,500kg with trailer brakes, up from 750kg on the outgoing model.
The Solterra racked up just 202 sales last year, down on the 386 sales achieved in 2024, and well behind Toyota’s mechanically identical bZ4X which achieved 1041 sales last year versus 977 in 2024.
In both the Subaru and Toyota cases the electric SUVs are miles behind the segment-leading Tesla Model Y’s sales of 22,239 in 2025.
Subaru’s recent announcement that it would add a second battery-electric model, the Trailseeker, to its lineup later this year will no doubt improve the brand’s EV presence and sales performance.
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