First Look Review: 2024 Subaru Solterra soldiers on with minor changes

The 2024 Subaru Solterra belongs to one of the most hotly contested EV segments in the U.S. It may not be nearly as popular as the VW ID.4, Hyundai Ioniq 5, or Kia EV6, let alone the Tesla Model Y. However, it has made a small impact in the segment, and is teaching Subaru about building and selling electric cars.

Recently, I saw the compact SUV in its top-end ‘Touring’ trim on display and took the opportunity to take a deep dive into its design, interior and features. Here are my first impressions:

Design

The 2024 Subaru Solterra is a corporate cousin of the Toyota bZ4X, and I think that’s evident in the exterior. I like its sporty crossover shape with its steeply raked C-pillar. I feel the four-module headlights with C-shaped DRL and concave hexagonal mask give the SUV a humble look and, along with the low hood line, lend it a sleek styling. At the back, the visibly sloped glass with a ducktail spoiler at the bottom and the split roof spoiler give the 2024 Solterra a sporty and sophisticated appearance.

Subaru equips the 2024 Solterra with features like LED headlights, LED fog lights (front), a power liftgate with height memory, and a rear camera washer. After spending some time closely looking at its exterior, I noticed that its panel gaps are the same as observed in long-standing gas-powered Subarus SUVs like the Forester and Crosstrek.

Interior

The 2024 Subaru Solterra has a spacious, inviting interior that looks clean and minimalist. As soon as I stepped into the cabin, I felt this was a model far more premium than the gas-powered Subarus offered in the U.S., as the upscale design and digital real estate make a make a significant difference.

The low-set dashboard allows a 7-inch digital instrument cluster and 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system to sit above the line of the steering wheel, directly in the driver’s line of sight. The long wheelbase, slender front pillars, and available panoramic sunroof gave me an airy feeling in the 2024 Solterra.

The infotainment system comes with cloud-based navigation, wireless Apple CarPlay and wireless Android Auto support, and Apple Music and Amazon Music integration. A 10-way power adjustable driver’s seat, an 8-way power-adjustable passenger seat, and a 60/40 split-folding and reclining rear seat with a heating function are some more noteworthy features of the 2024 Solterra.

I’m six feet tall, and in my experience, ingress and settling down in the 2024 Solterra was easier than in the 2024 Forester. When I sat in the driver’s seat, I first checked for all-around visibility. The large windshield, practically designed front and rear quarter panels, and large windows offer excellent outward visibility.

The new, squircle-shaped steering wheel with a manually adjustable tilt/telescoping steering column offered the perfect grip. The new flat-topped design offers a slightly better view of the digital gauge cluster when raised to the highest position, which was a problem in the previous model. Once I settled into my usual driving position, my head was comfortably clear of the headliner. The lumbar support felt good, while under-thigh support felt adequate.

In the second row, sitting right behind the driver’s seat that was adjusted for a six-foot-tall person, I had sufficient legroom and enough knee room to spare. I felt the default angle of the backrest was just right for me. The under-thigh support was okay, but I would have liked the floor to be an inch lower. Six-footers would find the headroom to be a bit tight in the rear.

The Solterra offers more convenience and safety following the 2024 model year update. Now, it can automatically maintain its lane at speeds up to 25 mph, and thanks to the addition of Front Cross Traffic Alert, warn the driver of possible collisions when pulling into an intersection. Moreover, a new DriverFocus Distraction Mitigation System, using a camera and a facial recognition system, monitors the driver for fatigue or distraction.

Specifications

The 2024 Subaru Solterra comes with two motors that produce 215 horsepower and 249 lb.-ft. of torque and give it all-wheel drive capability. A 72.8 kWh lithium-ion battery pack supplies energy to these motors. In the top-end Touring and mid-tier Limited trims, the 2024 Solterra has the same EPA-estimated range as the previous model – 222 miles. In the base Premium trim, the EPA-estimated range is one mile down from the previous model – 227 miles.

Subaru has upgraded the Solterra’s battery conditioning system with the MY2024 update. Thanks to this improvement, charging when the ambient temperature is below freezing is up to 80 minutes faster. Previously, charging to 80% with a DC charger took as little as about 56 minutes. Now, a 10-80% DC charging session takes as little as 35 minutes.

The Solterra comes with Dual Function X-Mode and a new low-speed cruise control-like function christened Grip Control. Grip Control auto-adjusts speed while driving off-road and comes with three settings; Low, Medium, and High. With 8.3 inches of ground clearance, the Solterra can easily reach the far end of the trails. Active Cornering Assist and Vehicle Stability Control are standard.

Price

The 2024 Subaru Solterra costs USD 44,995 in the Premium trim, USD 48,495 in the Limited trim, and USD 51,995 in the Touring trim. These prices exclude a USD 1,345 (USD 1,495 in Alaska) destination and delivery fee.

TopElectricSUV says

The 2024 Subaru Solterra is great in terms of style, comfort, and technology, but its low range and expensive price tag are disappointing. Competitors from South Korea, Germany, and the United States offer much better efficiency and range, significantly faster charging, and better performance, at a lower price. Lastly, unlike some of its rivals, it’s eligible for federal tax credit only if leased, not if purchased.

2024 Subaru Solterra FAQs