The Subaru-Toyota partnership has spawned another sub-generation, but this time an electric SUV rather than a petrol sports car or the electrified hybrid heart of the Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid. The new 2023 Solterra was introduced on Wednesday night US time, according to Japanese specifications via live, gives us a first look at the prototype — a close comparison with bZ4X Last month we looked at it as a prototype.
The US version of the Solterra will debut next week at the Los Angeles auto show, and we’ll have more details on that car and first-hand impressions, but there are plenty of delicious flavors that we can’t wait to see. collected from the Japanese variant that was shown.
2023 Subaru Solterra
Predictably, Solterra looks very familiar to the bZ4X with the same basic shape but grille, lights and other details. There are also small “EV” badges on both sides of the Solterra, above the similarly striking black plastic fenders. At the rear of the roof, there appear to be some ducts that direct the air down to the rear of the raked rear liftgate.
Solterra will accommodate up to 5 passengers on two rows of seats, similar to the Forester small SUV. Its other dimensions are similar to that of the Forester, measuring 184.6 inches long, 73.2 inches wide and 64.9 inches high with a wheelbase of 112.2 inches. That makes it about 2 inches longer and wider than the Forester, but slightly shorter. Its wheelbase is just over 7 inches long, meaning the Solterra’s interior dimensions will be more adult-friendly in the backseat.
Prototype Subaru Solterra
Ground clearance is a mighty 8.3 inches, giving the Solterra some off-road capabilities. The trailer shows Solterra moving through a variety of off-road obstacles, including gravel and climbing stairs. Subaru has confirmed that Solterra will offer the same X-Mode AWD control system found on many of its other vehicles (and it will also be in Toyota).
Curiously, the Japanese dimensions list both front- and all-wheel drive — like Toyota — although our guess is that only one AWD version will make it to the United States. Weight restriction is estimated at 4,254 pounds for the FWD model and 4,453 pounds for the AWD version.
Subaru Solterra – screenshot from the reveal video
Powertrain details match those announced for the bZ4X: a 71.4 kwh lithium-ion battery pack and 201 hp with FWD or 215 hp with AWD, thanks to an additional rear motor. Oddly enough, the estimated distance traveled between the two vehicles is different. Toyota has quoted an expected 310-mile price for the bZ4X on the Japanese WLTC cycle, but Subaru is slightly more optimistic with an estimate of 329 miles (FWD) or 286 miles (AWD).
There is no mention of charging hardware or charging time on the Solterra, but it will likely line up with Toyota in that regard. That means fast charging up to 150 kW with the ability to reach 80% capacity in 30 minutes.
Prototype Subaru Solterra
Inside, the Solterra is once again akin to a Toyota with a textured fabric dashboard that sits in front of a large touchscreen with the climate control system underneath. However, there is no mention of a steering wheel this time (thankfully), but the dimensions do refer to a solar roof that the two cars can share.
We’ll be able to tell you more after seeing Solterra in the flesh, and hopefully it’ll keep us entertained. The SUV will come in a crowded segment that currently has the Volkswagen ID.4 and the Ford Mustang Mach-E, but that pairing will soon be joined by the Kia EV6, Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Nissan Ariya. Solterra’s potential off-road capabilities may be just what it takes to stand out from the rest.
