2025 Subaru Solterra All-Electric SUV Review

If you listen to my radio show, you know I really love Subarus, and for good reason!  So, this week, I am taking our first look at the 2025 Subaru Solterra all-electric SUV.  This is the sister vehicle to the Toyota BZ4X that Amy Plemons reviewed in 2023.

Generally, I love Subarus for the Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive system, which is one of the best in the industry, and I also talk a lot about the EyeSight safety system.  This electric Solterra has both features, so as a Subaru, I really enjoyed this SUV.  However, as an electric vehicle, after reviewing many EVs, Subaru has a lot of work to do if they want to compete in the electric vehicle marketplace.  For the record, the same is true, in my opinion, of the Toyota BZ4X (which is the dumbest name for a car since Ford had the Probe in 1989).

Just as a reminder, EyeSight monitors traffic movement from cameras mounted high on the windshield.  It optimizes cruise control, and if you stray out of your lane it will center the vehicle back into the lane. The pre-collision braking feature can even apply full braking force in emergency situations.  It works incredibly well. Many automatic emergency braking systems just slow you down to minimize the impact.   

Exterior 

The exterior looks are attractive, although it has a little too much flat black cladding for me, but still, it is an eye-catcher, especially in Harbor Mist Gray Pearl paint, with a black roof, and a black panel on the hood near the windshield. 

The 20” wheels look terrific, and it has distinctive lines on the sides, and a very swooping rear where the electric tailgate is positioned.  There are two spoilers at the roofline, and one that runs across the liftgate. 

Interestingly, there is no rear wiper as with most SUVs have, Subaru says it is aerodynamic enough that it doesn’t need one.  The jury is still out on that for me.

Powertrain 

Under the hood, Solterra and all EVs are powered by electricity, and it has the Symmetrical all-wheel-drive system utilizing two electric motors (one in front and one in the rear) that generate a combined 215-horsepower and 249 pound-feet of torque. Power can be distributed differently depending on one of four drive modes: Eco, Normal, Power, and X-mode, which is intended to help in slippery conditions or on uneven terrain by independently sending power to each wheel as needed. For those interested in taking the Solterra off-road, it has 8.3 inches of ground clearance and a "Grip Control" feature that's acts a low-speed cruise control.  For in-town driving, the Solterra has regenerative braking that is controlled from shift paddles on the steering wheel, and it does offer one-pedal driving, but doesn’t bring you to a complete stop unfortunately. 

Interior 

This Solterra is the next to the top-of-the-line Touring model. The interior is nicely done with Subaru’s faux leather StarTex seats that are slightly bolstered. Both front seats are power operated and stitched, and the seats are heated and cooled.   There is a good mix of soft-touch and hard plastic material inside the Solterra, with the softer materials placed in the common places you touch.  There is a nice center console that has storage underneath, and the interior is fairly futuristic at first impression.  The square, heated steering wheel is one of the first things you notice, and it is really attractive and not offered on the Toyota variant.

As you sit down, there is a 7” gauge cluster that sits up high and is far away from the driver.  I like this setup a lot, it is similar to having a head-up display only easier to see and more colorful.  It gives you a lot of info including your speed and range on the right side.  On the left, you can scroll through to make setting changes from the steering wheel.  Everything works well and is easy to understand.  If you look up, there is a large, panoramic moon roof that is fixed glass, but does have an electric sliding cover to block out the sun. 

High on the center dash is a 12.3” touchscreen that houses the Subaru Solterra Connect System.  From there, you operate the terrific Hardon Karman sound system, Bluetooth, apps, voice activation, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM, and the vehicle settings.  This system works great, and it’s easy to figure out. My only complaint, I always love knobs for volume and tuning and this setup does not have that. The screen looks terrific, and the backup camera resolution is very good.

On the center console there are buttons for the drive modes, the parking brake, the Auto Hold, and a strangely-lit door under which there is a cell phone charger.  There are a pair of cup holders, and the transmission shift knob that takes a little getting used to, but it looks really cool.  Your elbow rests on a soft-covered compartment that slides forward and back for comfort and has a good bit of storage in it.

Moving to the back seat, there is good head- and leg room for adults up to about six feet tall.  Rear occupants have a fold-down armrest with cup holders, the rear seats are heated, and they recline slightly, there are air conditioner vents, seat pockets, and two USB-C ports.

Cargo area is actually good at 24-cubic feet of luggage space, which expands to 64-cubic feet with the rear seats folded flat, and there is a sliding cargo cover to hide any valuables.  Underneath the floor is an area for more storage and to store away the charging cord.  

Standard Features, Safety and Options

Important standard features include: tilt steering wheel, power windows and door locks, automatic headlights, LED fog lights, dual zone automatic climate controlled air conditioning, keyless entry, parking assist, and a digital camera rearview mirror.

On the safety front, you get EyeSight, Advanced Adaptive Cruise Control with Lane Centering, Automatic Emergency Braking, Lane Departure Prevention, Pre-Collision Brake Assist, rear camera, blind spot monitoring, vehicle stability control, and cross-traffic alert. 

My tester has extra charges of $890 for the special paint, $187 for all-weather floor mats, and $141 for the rear all-weather cargo mat.  Everything else comes standard with the Touring package.

MPGe

Fuel economy is not terrific for an EV. It is rated at 111 MPGe in the city, 93 MPGe highway, and combined an MPGe of 102 miles.  For example, the Hyundai Ionic 6 has a combined MPGe of 135 miles.

Ride and Drive    

Drive characteristics are good, the ride is smooth, and it is quiet inside.  Steering is a tad numb for my liking, and even in Power mode the acceleration is not as quick as most EVs are.  Still, it is enjoyable to drive.

Range

Now, why I said Subaru has a way to go to be a player in EVs.  RANGE.  It is woefully short of what most people want in an electric.  The Solterra is supposed to have 222-miles of range from the 72.8kWh Lithium-Ion battery, but of course that is under perfect conditions, without air conditioning or the heater, heated seat and steering wheel on, lights, or stereo. 

Based on my experience, true range is just under 200-miles and that means a lot of charging is necessary.  It’s not a big thing for me since I have a Level 2 charger which will get me from roughly 0% left to 80% in about 8 hours.  If you use a DC Fast Charger, the same 80% will take 35 minutes, where many EVs will do that in less than half that time.  Using a 110V power outlet, we’re talking about a couple of days.

What You'll Pay

MSRP is actually OK at $54,556 but know the Solterra is assembled in Japan and does not qualify for the $7,500 Federal rebate. Still, the lease deals on this SUV are very attractive, due to incentives.  Be aware, too, that Subaru lowered the Solterra price by $7,000 for 2025.

Verdict 

Again, as a Subaru SUV, this one is terrific.  Another example of if they’d put a Boxer engine in this vehicle and offer it as an alternative to the Crosstrek, I believe it would be a great seller, priced right.  I give Subaru props for their first attempt at an EV, but they still have work to do if they are going to compete with the others.