- The 2026 Subaru Solterra has 26% more range than before, thanks to a bigger battery.
- It gets a more mature ride and handling set-up and up to 338 horsepower.
- Despite the upgrades and the 15% tariffs on Japanese-made cars, Subaru is keeping prices steady.
Subaru has massively upgraded the Solterra for model year 2026. The electric crossover now gets a bigger battery for more driving range, a healthy jump in horsepower, faster charging speeds, a Tesla-style charging port for seamless Supercharger access and chassis upgrades that make the ride smoother and more refined.
You’d think that might come with a big price hike. Not this time: The Solterra Limited trim is slightly cheaper, although new range-topping versions cost marginally more.
The 2026 Solterra starts at $38,495 before destination for the base Premium trim. That’s great value for an EV which now gets upgraded front and rear electric motors with silicon carbide semiconductors, producing 233 horsepower (up from 215 hp). You also get a 74.7-kilowatt-hour battery (up from 72.8 kWh), which delivers 288 miles of range (up from 227 miles). All-wheel drive is standard on the Solterra.
| 2026 Subaru Solterra trims | MSRP [Before destination] |
| Solterra Premium | $38,495 |
| Solterra Limited | $41,395 |
| Solterra Limited XT | $42,895 |
| Solterra Touring XT | $45,555 |
| Solterra Touring XT [Black + Blue leather] | $45,855 |
Subaru said that’s just a 2% bump in battery capacity, but thanks to better cell insulation, upgraded cooling, new motors and improved aerodynamics, it translates into a massive 26% gain in range.
The Limited trim starts at $41,395, which is $600 less than before. It carries the same powertrain and chassis upgrades as the Premium, but adds a Harman Kardon sound system, heated steering wheel, 20-inch wheels and a multi-terrain surround-view camera.
I drove the refreshed Solterra in Colorado in August and it felt substantially improved. The ride felt more mature, soaking up bumps at low speed while staying composed on the highway. Acceleration was instant and plentiful, throttle response crisp and power delivery was everything you’d expect from a modern EV. It’ll even handle mild to moderate off-road trails, thanks to its standard AWD system.
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Source: Subaru
The Solterra still costs more than its Toyota twin, the 2026 bZ. The Toyota starts at $34,900, but that’s for a smaller 57.5 kWh battery with just 236 miles of range. The larger 74.7-kWh pack delivers 314 miles but pushes the price closer to $38,000, before destination.
That makes the Solterra Premium with 288 miles of range and AWD look pretty compelling. Toyota may win on headline range, but Subaru’s entry-level version feels like a more complete package. For buyers who want standard AWD, respectable driving range and a refined EV overall, the Solterra finally feels like it’s worth a shot.
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