The 2026 Subaru Solterra has a claimed driving range of 450 kilometres, up from 359 kilometres, while its power is boosted to 338 horsepower from 215.Supplied
Subaru’s all-electric Solterra crossover has been “refreshed” for 2026, just three years after its introduction, but the changes are sweeping: Power boosted by more than half, range increased by a quarter, and charging times significantly reduced.
The Solterra is almost identical to the Toyota bZ and it is built at the same Toyota plant in Japan. The bZ – formerly known as the bZ4X, a name deemed too confusing – is similarly improved for 2026. The electric Toyota was only sold in Quebec and British Columbia to satisfy EV sales mandates. It is only now being sold across Canada. The electric Subaru was officially sold across the country, but in practice it was more commonly seen in Quebec and B.C.
Pricing for the Solterra has not yet been released, in advance of its appearance at dealerships later this year.Mark Richardson
Three years ago, both Toyota and Subaru badly needed an all-electric vehicle to satisfy government mandates and to avoid expensive penalties. To speed up production, they partnered to develop these two EVs. Honda did the same with General Motors, developing the electric Prologue alongside the almost identical Chevrolet Blazer EV.
The bZ and the Solterra have grown into the vehicles they always needed to be to compete in the market.
The 2026 Solterra has a claimed driving range of 450 kilometres, up from 359 kilometres, while its power is boosted to 338 horsepower from 215. This shaves almost two seconds from its acceleration time from zero-to-100 kilometres an hour, making the jump in about five seconds. The motor’s fast-charging capacity has increased to 150 kilowatts from 100, and its onboard charger has increased to 11 kilowatts from seven. It’s fitted with a NACS charging port, meaning it can be charged with the Tesla Supercharger network, with an adapter for Combined Charging System (CCS) stations.
The Solterra is fitted with a NACS charging port, meaning it can be charged with the Tesla Supercharger network, with an adapter for Combined Charging System (CCS) stations.Mark Richardson
Why buy the Subaru and not the Toyota? “I think it’s going to be more about the ownership and dealership experience than the actual car differentiation,” says Brad Evans, car line manager of product management for Subaru of Canada. “There’s no hiding that they’re very, very similar, so it’s going to come down to a value proposition. Hopefully, some more aggressive pricing from our side.”
Pricing for the Solterra has not yet been released, in advance of its appearance at dealerships later this year. Pricing for the Toyota bZ is also not yet announced. “Our prices won’t increase, despite all the improvements,” says Evans.
Current Solterras are already being advertised on Subaru’s website with a $10,000 “manufacturer credit,” with lease and financing rates from 0.5 per cent, to move those less-capable vehicles off dealer lots.
Federal rebates of $5,000 per vehicle ended in January. The government has said it will reintroduce incentives to purchase EVs, but it has not said when, or how much will be offered.
RATINGS:
Mark Richardson
LOOKS:
The front fascia is new for 2026, with slim, six-beam daytime running lamps and an illuminated logo. Turn signals are integrated into a light bar between those DRLs. The headlight is below this main cluster, in the space you’d expect to find a fog lamp.
Supplied
INTERIOR:
The cabin is spacious, with a rotary-dial knob for the shifter on the centre console. Much of this space is used for a pair of wireless phone chargers. There’s plenty of room in the back for taller passengers, thanks to the EV’s flat floor above the batteries. New radiant heaters are placed by the legs of front-seat passengers to warm them independently from the regular air-blown heating system.
Supplied
PERFORMANCE:
Acceleration is now brisk in the Solterra, as it should be in any electric vehicle. The all-wheel-drive system is retuned to reduce pitching of the vehicle during harder acceleration and braking, and to cut down on sway from side to side while cornering. Subaru says the Solterra’s rolling-related sway is now reduced by 20 per cent. Regenerative braking can be adjusted with paddle shifters on the steering wheel, acting similarly to engine braking to prepare for driving through corners.
TECHNOLOGY:
The battery can now be pre-conditioned in cold temperatures, which was not possible with the original Solterra. This means charging speeds in cold weather are closer to those in regular temperatures, where the battery can now be boosted from 10 per cent to 80 per cent in about 30 minutes at a 150-kilowatt fast charger.
Mark Richardson
CARGO:
Luggage space is unchanged from the current Solterra, which provides 674 litres of room behind the second row, and 1,798 litres when those 60/40 seats are folded flat.
THE VERDICT:
The new Solterra is finally the vehicle it should have been from the start, and it is now competitive to the rest of its EV competition.
Mark Richardson
TECH SPECS:
Base price/as tested (est.): $56,500 / $63,500, plus $2,295 freight and PDI, plus fees and taxes
Motor/battery: 167 kilowatts front, 88 kilowatts rear / 77 kilowatt-hour
Horsepower/torque: 338 hp (combined) / n/a
Drive: All-wheel drive
Power consumption (NRCan ratings)/Charging capacity: n/a (14.8 kWh/100 km observed) / 150 kilowatts
Range (claimed): 450 kilometres
Alternatives: Toyota bZ, Nissan Ariya, Hyundai Ioniq 5, Kia EV6, Volkswagen ID.4, Tesla Model Y, Chevrolet Blazer EV
The writer was a guest of the automaker. Content was not subject to approval.
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