Subaru Solterra 2024 review - Family test

There are two variants for the Solterra range and both come with dual-motored electric powertrains. Our test example is the base model, priced from $69,990, before on-road costs.

Compared to its dual-motored rivals it’s almost as affordable as the Tesla Model Y Long Range priced from $69,900 MSRP, with the Toyota bZ4X AWD at $74,900 MSRP and the Kia EV6 GT-Line almost $20K more expensive at $87,590 MSRP.

However, its rivals sit at higher grade levels and some items on the Solterra AWD, like its cloth seats and manually adjustable front passenger seat, remind you it is still a ‘base’ model. 

The Solterra starts at $69,990, before on-roads. (Image: Glen Sullivan)

That said, the Solterra AWD is well-specified for an entry model with standard features like heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, power-adjustable driver's seat, power-adjustable lumbar support (driver only) and even the rear outboard seats have a heat function.

The technology features a 12.3-inch touchscreen multimedia system, built-in satellite navigation, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, two fast USB-C ports in each row and a clear 360-degree camera system.

For practicality, it features a powered tailgate, tyre puncture repair kit and remote air-conditioning start (from the key fob) to set your ideal cabin climate before you get in.

Upfront is a 12.3-inch touchscreen. (Image: Glen Sullivan)

The practicality of the cabin is good for the class and the 212mm ground clearance means it's an easy car to get in and out of.

The extra-wide centre console makes the front look cramped but it isn't. And the the backseat is huge on space. Seriously decent headroom and legroom for the class and the flat floor means middle seaters will be comfortable, too.

Both the front and rear seats are well-cushioned and comfortable. You could easily do a long trip.

Front row seats pictured. (Image: Glen Sullivan)

The driver's is the only powered seat (it also has lumbar support) but it's great that all but the middle seat feature a heat function for added comfort.

My seven-year old finds the back row comfortable because of its directional air vents and tall seating position providing a good view out of the wide window.

Individual storage is a bit low for the class but it does feature a handy shelf underneath the centre console which is large enough for a small handbag or the manual and logbook... because there is no glove box in this model!

Centre console pictured. (Image: Glen Sullivan)

To be fair, most are too small to be of real use outside of storing the 'ahem' manual and logbook.

Each door gets storage pockets and a skinny drink bottle holder and both rows get two cupholders. The rear gets map pockets too but that's it.

The boot features a tyre puncture repair kit, level loading space and 410L of boot capacity with all seats in use. The capacity is a bit lower than its rivals but has been adequate for my grocery run and the odd errand. It's great both Solterra models have a powered tailgate as standard.

Boot space pictured. (Image: Glen Sullivan)

The 12.3-inch touchscreen multimedia system looks good and is pulled directly from Toyota so the graphics and accessibility are on-point for everyday use.

You also get built-in satellite navigation which is always handy to have but you miss out on any over-the-air updates or a dedicated Subaru connected services app. 

The rest of the technology is solid with each row getting two USB-C ports and the front also featuring a USB-A socket and 12-volt outlet.

The Solterra AWD has dual electric motors producing a combined 160kW for power and 337Nm of torque. It’s got enough grunt to be fun and zippy, even on the open road, but isn’t as powerful as some of its dual-motored rivals. 

For example, the Kia EV6 GT-Line produces 239kW/605Nm, which looks almost indecent compared to the Solterra's specs.

The benefit of motors which aren't 'performance' grade means you win out eventually with energy consumption and its here the Solterra AWD shines.

The official combined cycle energy consumption figure is a low 14.1kWh/100km and I averaged 15.2kWh after a week of mostly urban driving.

The consumption is fantastic but the official driving range from the large 71.4kWh lithium-ion battery is only up to 414km (WLTP), which, again, is lower than most of its rivals by a good portion. I would have range anxiety on a longer journey.

The official consumption figure is 14.1kWh/100km. (Image: Glen Sullivan)

The Solterra has a Type 2 CCS charging port which means you can benefit from faster DC charging speeds (up to 150kW on DC power).

On a 150kW DC system you can go from 0-80 per cent in just 30 minutes. 

On a 7.0kW AC power charger, you can go from 0-100 per cent in 9.5-hours and that drops to 6.5 hours on an 11kW system. Which isn’t as fast as it you might like but still makes it worthwhile plugging in while you're frequently the local shops.

The Solterra comes with great standard safety features like forward collision warning, blind-spot monitoring, driver attention alert, safe exit warning, LED DRLs, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure alert and keeping aid, adaptive cruise control, traffic sign recognition, front and rear parking sensors and a clear 360-degree camera system.

It also features a digital rearview mirror, which is handy when you have a carload of passengers or gear. While you're aware of all of the safety items none of them are intrusive, which is awesome.

The Solterra has seven airbags, including a front centre airbag and a maximum five-star ANCAP safety rating from testing done in 2022. Its twin, the Toyota bZ4X was the tested model.

The Solterra has a five-star ANCAP safety rating. (Image: Glen Sullivan)

The Solterra has AEB which is operational from 5.0-80km/h for pedestrian and cyclist detection and up to 180km/h for cars.

There are ISOFIX child-seat mounts on the rear outboard seats and three top-tether anchor points across the second row.

Two child seats will fit best and I had no trouble fitting my monster booster seat.