Subaru’s 2026 Solterra XT arrives with the swagger of a sensible SUV with off-road ability. This is Subaru’s electric SUV, now with more power, more range and more swagger, so today I’m going to drive it and see how much better it is. Subaru says that the Solterra is all new for 2026, and even though it was launched only 3 years ago, I think they may be right.
What’s New?
The Solterra’s design is what happens when an EV tries to wear camo pants to a cocktail party. Its lines are clean, its aerodynamics slightly competent, and there’s even an illuminated front logo so bright it could signal aliens. Solterra’s freshened nose is less busy than before. Headlight units have been separated from those handling other lighting functions and sit lower on the fascia, while a newly illuminated Subaru badge makes it easier to tell it apart from Toyota’s version. The charge door has been moved from the driver’s side to the opposite front fender and now covers a Tesla-style NACS port. Subaru says the flip-flop was made to help drivers who prefer to nose into charging spots, especially at Tesla Superchargers.
Suspension
Suspension changes are minor; both Subaru and Toyota have stiffened the front suspension while softening the rear.
Spicy Powertrain
Since this is a Subaru, known for its all-wheel drive, the Solterra doesn’t offer the basic front-drive setup and its smaller battery pack, which you can find in the Toyota bZ. The base model delivers 233 horsepower, an increase from 215, and is available in the Premium and Limited trims. The upgraded powertrain features a more powerful front motor, boosting this XT model to a robust 338 horsepower. Subaru claims it can accelerate from 0 to 60 in less than 5 seconds, making it one of the fastest Subarus I’ve ever driven.
Range and Charging
Subaru has increased the battery range to 288 miles, 278 for the XT, which is more than its predecessor and more than enough for most daily driving and weekend excursions. Thankfully, the Solterra now also uses the North American Charging Standard (NACS), which means access to a vast Tesla Supercharger network. No more plugging into random chargers that seem to have been installed in the Stone Age.
You can go from 10 % to 80 % in roughly 28–35 minutes at a 150 kW fast charger, which is fast enough for most folks, of course, some owners online grumble about real-world charging behaviors and slower charge rates after initial bursts — but typical EV quirks apply here too, and Subaru can’t magic that away.
Driving Dynamics: Sensible, All-Wheel Drive, but Not F1-Fast
The XT not only feels lively, but its motors also deliver power smoothly, which isn’t always the case with every EV. You won’t experience any jerky movements when you slam the pedal down. They’ve updated the control logic for the two-motor all-wheel-drive system. Previously, it relied on vehicle-acceleration sensors to decide how to distribute electricity for torque, but now the engineers have figured out that the position of the accelerator is a more accurate indicator.
The regenerative braking modes are now clearer and have a broader range, but the paddles that control them still feature confusing plus and minus symbols that indicate more or less deceleration. Someone really needs to think of a better way to explain how to slow down more effectively.
On backroads, it goes well but is not particularly planted in the turns with some body roll; however, steering is good, and the brakes do a solid job in bringing you down from higher speeds.
It’s most fun from a stop light where its outward appearance doesn’t suggest a sub 5 second run to 60, and paired to instant torque, it’s something of a grin fest to see startled drivers’ faces in the rear view mirror. We hooked up our test equipment and saw a run to 60 in 4.9 seconds, which makes it the fastest Subaru we have ever tested!
If you’re looking to take a Solterra off-road, it comes with X-MODE, which helps the car handle dirt, mud, or snow better. With 8.3″ of ground clearance, it’s pretty decent for its class. Actually, that’s the same clearance as the Honda Passport TrailSport. This should definitely be sufficient for rough roads, dirt paths, or even a bumpy trail leading to a hiking area.
Interior
Everything feels just right in the updated Solterra, though there are a few key changes. The area in front of the gauge has ditched the trough, which really opens up the dashboard vibe. The center console got a makeover to fit in a couple of wireless charging pads, but they don’t have much grip to keep your phone steady.
The shift dial is now easier to reach, but it still has that confusing design where you have to push down in the center before you can turn it. At the top of the center stack, there’s a bigger screen now measuring 14.0 inches across all Solterra models (before, it was 8.0 inches for the lower trims and 12.3 inches for the higher-end ones).
Most HVAC controls are now on the screen, with the larger touchscreen replacing the old separate display and buttons. We do like the temperature-control dials that are overlaid on the display, giving us a bit of that tactile feel.
A cool feature on the top trim is a pair of radiant heaters aimed at the lower legs of the driver and front passenger. The driver’s heater is located at the bottom of the steering column, while the passenger’s is where you’d typically find a glovebox. They turn on and off with the heated seats; the idea is to warm up the front passengers using less energy than cranking up a lot of hot air. In the real world, it doesn’t provide a lot of heat, and in standard Subaru fashion, the heated seats are only average.
The rear seats provide plenty of room if a little limited in the headroom department, but they do come with vents, heated outboard, and power.
Cargo Area
Cargo space is generous, over 60 cubic feet with the seats down, and you get a fairly low load floor that makes hauling bikes or weekend gear a breeze. With the seats up, you get 23.8 cubic feet.
Pricing
Pricing for the 2026 Subaru Solterra XT Touring with leather seats starts at $45, 855 and the Harbor Mist Gray Pearl paint in my tester is $940, taking the total price, including destination to $48,275.
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Verdict
Call it all-new or just thoroughly revised; the 2026 Solterra is an improvement on its predecessor and is more competitive. The Solterra XT won’t set the EV world alight, but it does its job exceptionally well. The 2026 Subaru Solterra XT is a fascinating EV, a balanced blend of Subaru’s traditional strengths and modern electric ambitions. It’s not the most exciting EV in its segment, but it’s confident, capable, and in many ways the perfect everyday electric SUV.
2026 Subaru Solterra XT Touring Numbers
BASE PRICE: $45,855
PRICE AS TESTED: $45,855
VEHICLE LAYOUT: Dual motor, all-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, SUV
FRONT AND REARS: Permanent-magnet synchronous AC
COMBINED POWER: 338 hp
BATTERY PACK: liquid-cooled lithium-ion, 74.7 kWh
ONBOARD CHARGER: 11 kW
PEAK DC FAST CHARGE RATE: 150 kW
TRANSMISSION: direct-drive
CURB WEIGHT: 4,510 lb
0-60 MPH: 4.8 seconds
EPA ESTIMATED RANGE: 278 Miles
COMBINED/CITY/HIGHWAY: 117/128/105 MPGe
CARGO SPACE: 26 cubic feet, 60 cubic feet with rear seat folded
PROS: Really quick, super smooth ride, improved range
CONS: Needs sportier handling in the XT trim
