With four-wheel drive, Subaru’s first electric car is true to the brand’s all-weather roots On sale Now Price from £49,995
Max Adams Max.Adams@haymarket.com
DID YOU PREFER the Snickers bar when it was called a Marathon? Think Opal Fruits were tastier than Starburst? Sometimes changing a product’s brand name can influence buyers’ preferences, even when there’s no difference under the wrapper. And now the Subaru Solterra, which is virtually identical to the Toyota bZ4X, is here to test that theory.
This isn’t the first time the two brands have teamed up; Subaru’s BR-Z sports car was the twin of Toyota’s GT86, and it made sense to tie up again in the lucrative electric SUV field. The biggest difference between the Solterra and bZX4 is that the former forgoes the latter’s cheaper 198bhp front-wheel-drive option; it’s available only in more potent four-wheel-drive form, with one electric motor driving the front wheels and another for the rears.
With 215bhp in total, the Solterra can crack 0-62mph in 6.9sec. That makes it a match for the Skoda Enyaq iV 80X, but it trails four-wheel-drive versions of the Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Kia EV6. Those rivals also beat the 289 miles that the Solterra can officially cover on a single charge of its 71.4kWh (usable) battery.
Still, first away from the lights or not, the Solterra has more than enough power to help you leap into gaps in traffic and join motorways with confidence. The added traction of four-wheel drive is a boon when setting off in slippery conditions, too.
Similarly reassuring is the fact that the Solterra doesn’t lean over too much in fast bends. Grip levels are respectable, and the accurate steering helps you to position the car easily. On the 20in wheels fitted to the top-spec Touring trim level, the ride is compliant enough over bumps, but the smaller 18in wheels of the entry-level Limited model should help provide a more supple ride over potholes.
As with the bZ4X, the Solterra’s elevated driving position gives you a great view over most other road users, and there’s plenty of space in the front for a couple of six-footers. However, while there are some storage cubbies and reasonably deep door bins for water bottles, strangely, there’s no glovebox for hiding and locking valuables away from sight.
Another pair of six-footers will be happy enough to sit behind our tall couple up front, although that can also be said of the Ioniq 5 and EV6. The Solterra’s boot, meanwhile, is a usefu
