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.
Sole traders, SMEs, transport companies and corporate fleets are potential customers LDV is aiming at with its new eDeliver7 electric van range, which competes in Australia’s mid-sized (2.5-3.5-tonne GVM) commercial van segment.
The Chinese manufacturer claims the eDeliver7’s combination of quiet operation, reduced maintenance costs, no battery impact on cargo space and, critically, more competitive pricing is ideal for businesses looking to build ‘sustainable’ fleets.
As the number of battery electric van offerings continues to grow, we recently spent a week in one of the new eDeliver7 variants to see if it can offer a viable alternative to diesel powertrains that traditionally dominate this competitive market segment.
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.
There’s room for improvement, but that room is getting smaller. For urban daily fleet or solo operation, using the convenience of back-to-base overnight charging, it offers a compelling alternative to diesel in terms of real-world driving range, performance, payload, warranty/servicing costs... and zero tailpipe emissions.