Subaru’s first electric vehicle (EV) feels a little like…well…a first draft. The Subaru Solterra, on dealer lots since late in the 2023 model year, can handle daily commuting and errands perfectly well and offers the security of all-wheel drive (AWD). However, limited range, slow charging times, and total output of just 215 horsepower have kept it from selling like Subaru products usually do.
The second draft is coming, however. For 2026, Subaru will give the Solterra a range boost, a power boost, and a new charging system to try to bring it more in line with rivals like the Hyundai Ioniq 5, Tesla Model Y, Ford Mustang Mach-E, and Chevrolet Equinox EV.
This isn’t a wheels-up redesign. It’s a mid-cycle refresh — an update halfway through production that tweaks a car’s design without starting from scratch. Subaru hasn’t revealed pricing. The 2025 model in showrooms today starts at $39,915 and is not eligible for the federal government’s $7,500 EV tax credit. The 2026 Solterra is set to go on sale later this year.
Mechanical Improvements
Like its Toyota twin, the bZ4X, the Solterra sees significant upgrades to its electrical systems.
A new 74.7-kWh battery boosts range to 285 miles, up from 227 in the current model.
Charging should be faster, too. Subaru says the 2026 Solterra will charge from 10% to 80% full in 35 minutes at a DC fast charging station. Maximum charging speed is still limited to 150 kW, so plugging into a faster charger won’t speed things up from there. But the 2026 Solterra will use a Tesla-style North American Charging Standard (NACS) port, letting it plug into Tesla Superchargers.
More powerful motors provide a boost to acceleration, too. For the base trim level, output jumps from 215 hp to 233. A new XT trim gets 338, enabling a 0-60 mph time of less than 5 seconds, according to Subaru.
“Refinements to the suspension and electric power steering have been made for better handling and responsiveness,” the company says.
Visual, Tech Updates
The look has changed, too.
A new front bumper and grille add some sophistication, along with a lighted Subaru logo. For the first time, buyers can opt out of black-clad front fenders with some paint colors.
Inside, the central display grows from 8 inches to 14. It sits above dual smartphone chargers, and rear-seat passengers get USB-C ports so they can charge, too.
The changes should help Subaru convince some buyers. However, a range under 300 miles may still limit its appeal.
The Solterra joins a second EV on sales lots for 2026. Subaru used last week’s New York International Auto Show to reveal a larger all-electric SUV, the Trailseeker.