2026 Subaru Solterra EV Gets More Power, Better Range, and New Features
Subaru is giving its electric SUV, the Solterra, some big improvements for the 2026 model year. The Solterra was first released in 2023 and is basically a version of Toyota’s bZ4X. But many people felt it didn’t stand out much. Now, Subaru is trying to fix that with more power, longer range, and other upgrades.
Just like before, the Solterra still comes with two electric motors and all-wheel drive. That’s one big difference from the Toyota bZ4X, which also has a version with just one motor and front-wheel drive. For 2026, the motors are stronger. The base Solterra now has 233 horsepower, up from 215.
There’s also a new XT model that delivers 338 horsepower. Subaru says the XT can go from 0 to 60 mph in under 5 seconds, which is much faster than the older model.
One of the biggest problems with the older Solterra was its limited driving range. Subaru has improved that too. The 2026 model has a slightly larger battery—75 kWh compared to the old 73—and Subaru says it can now travel up to 285 miles on a single charge. That’s a nice bump from the previous range of 222 to 227 miles.
The Solterra is still made for light off-road driving. It keeps features like 8.3 inches of ground clearance, hill-descent control, and special driving modes for snow, dirt, and mud.
Charging is also easier now. The 2026 Solterra will come with a NACS charging port, which means you can use Tesla’s Supercharger network. It can now charge at speeds up to 150 kW. That’s a big step up from the 99 kW maximum we saw in the 2024 version.
There are a few small changes to how the Solterra looks. The front end is a little smoother, and the headlights now have a new design with six light elements.
The plastic trim around the wheels can now be the same color as the body, and the Subaru logo lights up. Inside, the screen is bigger at 14 inches, and there are now two wireless charging pads in the center console.
Subaru hasn’t announced how much the 2026 Solterra will cost. Last year, they dropped the price by $6,500 to $7,000. With all these upgrades, the price might go up again. The new Solterra will be available at dealerships later this year.
Have something to add? Let us know in the comments below!
