What's the difference?
Car companies don’t normally overhaul a vehicle so rapidly and comprehensively. But the updated Subaru Solterra EV is an exception. It had to be done and this isn’t just an update, it’s an act of survival for Subaru… and Toyota.
You knew the Solterra’s identical twin is the Toyota bZ4X, right? Together Subaru and Toyota developed an electric SUV. Subaru’s is the Solterra, Toyota’s is the bZ4X - same car, different styling, mostly.
The problem was the vehicle couldn’t compete with rivals like the Zeekr 7X and Tesla Model Y on price, driving range, power or charging speed.
Subaru and Toyota knew this had to be fixed ASAP. And so we now have the new Solterra. But is this revised version good enough? Read on to find out.
Australian EV buyers seem to be missing the point of the Mustang Mach-E.
Yes, Ford’s exorbitant early pricing did not help – which the mid-sized EV has yet to recover from. And the V8-muscle-car image – and baggage – that the Mustang prefix brings no doubt confuses and even repels some people. Especially eco-conscious ones.
But it’s not that complicated. The Mach-E is merely meant to be a sporty, stylish and attainable family car, albeit with electric power.
Five years on from its US launch, does the 2026 Series II facelift keep up with newer and fresher electric SUV alternatives? And is it worth the premium that the Mustang badge commands?
The updated Subaru Solterra is now good enough to compete with rivals such as the Tesla Model Y and Zeekr 7X. The price is right as are the driving range and motor outputs.
There's room for improvement in terms of cabin packaging. The car doesn’t cater for taller, larger people up front, with the steering wheel placement and wide centre console. Cabin storage could also be much better.
Still, the Solterra is superb to drive. One of the best EVs I’ve piloted at this price.
EV buyers who don’t or won’t see the point of the Mustang Mach-E are missing out.
This is a sporty and fun-to-drive electric SUV in the same way that the Ranger is the sporty and fun-to-drive ute. In other words, a lot of what makes Fords brilliant is alive and well here, without compromising functionality. The opposite of so many Chinese electric SUVs that shine brightest on the showroom floor, then.
Yes, a base Select that is around $10K cheaper to start with might help punters see the light even more clearly (and that's our choice), and it is starting to look dated inside and out, but overall, the Mach-E is an enjoyable, fulfilling and practical family proposition.