Official: Subaru Solterra (EV) ...coming 2022

[Brahmzy]

Why'd they gimp the power on this thing? Ugh.

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[gathermewool]

Originally Posted by chanomatik

I dunno, man. Just paint that fender and call it a day.

Right!?

[SoDealer]

Originally Posted by Sid03SVT

Subaru currently lacks the technical knowhow and manufacturing space/equipment to make their own EV, they sure as heck could not have brought one to market 2-3 years ago, let alone an EV STi.



This may be described as a "Joint venture, designed with Toyota" but make no mistake, this is a Toyota vehicle that will receive a Subaru badge, slightly different UI, and maybe some different suspension tuning to make it look/feel more like a Subaru.



If you are really considering this vehicle, buy the Toyota version; similarly with the 86/BRZ I'd suggest you buy the Subaru version. Toyota is not "all in" on EV's, they won't be until they have to be, so their tech will be behind the competition (and consequently, so will Subaru's).

Subaru had EV’s before Nissan or Toyota… lithium ion at that. They had a battery partnership with NEC back in the early 2000’s. Subaru has the know how, just not the economies of scale to make EVs.

[chanomatik]

I gotchu, SoD. BOOM.

"News & Profile | NewsRelease | Subaru Corporation" https://www.subaru.co.jp/en/news/arc...2/02_05_14.htm

[JustyWRC]

Originally Posted by chanomatik

I gotchu, SoD. BOOM.

"News & Profile | NewsRelease | Subaru Corporation" https://www.subaru.co.jp/en/news/arc...2/02_05_14.htm

Wonder whatever happened there. Does that collaborative company even exist anymore?

They even brought a few of those electric(right hand drive) vehicles to New York for testing.

Was not a fan of the B9 Scrambler. Thought the tech behind the B5-TPH was a good way forward that could be easily adapted to anything in their lineup. And then all that just died off for about a decade.

[chanomatik]

They're around, but not like before.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NEC

I really hate their monitors. Heavy for no reason. I have to recycle them sometimes as part of my job and they're heavy, sharp-edged things.

[Snow Drift]

Originally Posted by dwf137

two of them are enthusiasts and the vehicle is the wife's car. I trust them. Also, I was in the car once when it happened. It was raining, but not terribly hard, just a lot of mist floating around on the road from all of the cars driving around. My VW system only shut off on me one time on a really long road trip in the snow because I had too much snow built up over the radar sensor. The one in my toyota has never shut off. A lot fewer false alarms on the auto braking with the toyota than I had with the VW too, so that's a bonus.

Sounds good. Like I said, my experience has been fine. It is extremely rare for me to get the Eyesight Disabled icon.

[Snow Drift]

Originally Posted by SoDealer

Subaru had EV's before Nissan or Toyota***8230; lithium ion at that. They had a battery partnership with NEC back in the early 2000's. Subaru has the know how, just not the economies of scale to make EVs.

Let's not give them too much credit. The R1e was not a skateboard chassis and it went 50 miles...

(Cutaway for the show, not production of course)

[Calamity Jesus]

My wife and I were discussing the Solterra as a potential replacement for one of our vehicles. If the price of a well equipped model were, say, cheaper than the current estimations, it would earn a value consideration, at least. She pointed out to me that it's the first time we've talked about getting back into Subaru since I happily sold the XV.

I have a feeling my next car purchase will be a KIA/Hyundai EV or a Tesla at this rate. The Japanese are so anti-EV, they're falling off the radar and failing to make competitive options. I love my Honda PHEV, but they ceased production on the Clarity a few months ago and seem to have no intentions of making a dedicated EV for North America. The Japanese hydrogen push is going to torpedo their automotive clout over the next decade.

[Snow Drift]

Originally Posted by Calamity Jesus

My wife and I were discussing the Solterra as a potential replacement for one of our vehicles. If the price of a well equipped model were, say, cheaper than the current estimations, it would earn a value consideration, at least. She pointed out to me that it's the first time we've talked about getting back into Subaru since I happily sold the XV.

I have a feeling my next car purchase will be a KIA/Hyundai EV or a Tesla at this rate. The Japanese are so anti-EV, they're falling off the radar and failing to make competitive options. I love my Honda PHEV, but they ceased production on the Clarity a few months ago and seem to have no intentions of making a dedicated EV for North America. The Japanese hydrogen push is going to torpedo their automotive clout over the next decade.

100% The anti-EV sentiment in Japan is ridiculous. Read this. They are desperate to hold onto their Hybrid legacy. Hydrogen just doesn't make sense as it is an EV with a fuel tank.

The Solterra, based on it's specs, needs to be sub $40k, but I doubt that will happen.

I am also wondering if this will be a ZEV State only model like the Crosstrek Hybrid. If that is the case, this is 100% an appliance and that's very bad.

[Angelus911]

I have to say the specs and range on this are pretty poor. 220 miles of range, how far is that going to drop in the winter? Down to 170 miles?

I’ve been on the Ioniq 5 forums and battery capacity drops quite a bit in the dead of winter (granted this isn’t an issue specific to the Solterra but still).

[Snow Drift]

Originally Posted by Angelus911

I have to say the specs and range on this are pretty poor. 220 miles of range, how far is that going to drop in the winter? Down to 170 miles?

I've been on the Ioniq 5 forums and battery capacity drops quite a bit in the dead of winter (granted this isn't an issue specific to the Solterra but still).

It's worse than that.

You only use 70-80% of the battery. So 220 miles = 176 miles at best. Then add in winter drop in range, which is real, even for our Tesla. I'd say you can comfortably do 100 miles in the winter on one charge, at speed limit.Then don't forget that the batteries lose range over time. So it is actually less.

This car is an appliance it seems. Very unfortunate, but expected. Now, for normal driving with charging at home, this is fine. But it is rather dependent on Electrify America for trips.

[SoDealer]

Originally Posted by Snow Drift

Let's not give them too much credit. The R1e was not a skateboard chassis and it went 50 miles...

(Cutaway for the show, not production of course)

Not a skateboard, but that vehicle debuted almost 20 years ago which means the development started well before that. No one was as advanced as Subaru at that time. 50 miles was best in the industry and followed up by the Stella Electric. Everyone else was screwing around with nmh while Subaru went straight to li-ion. Subaru had the foresight and the expertise, but it seems a small company like Subaru couldn't make the accounting work to continue developing their own electric vehicles.

[Snow Drift]

Originally Posted by SoDealer

Not a skateboard, but that vehicle debuted almost 20 years ago which means the development started well before that. No one was as advanced as Subaru at that time. 50 miles was best in the industry and followed up by the Stella Electric. Everyone else was screwing around with nmh while Subaru went straight to li-ion. Subaru had the foresight and the expertise, but it seems a small company like Subaru couldn't make the accounting work to continue developing their own electric vehicles.

Well, someone put the kibosh on it. GM had the EV1, then they sold the patents to Chevron and asked the US Gov't for a bailout and a loan to develop EVs. It's all too little too late.

Subaru, like the other Japanese brands have not done enough, even to the point of getting in the way, of progress. This is the first step, but it's a stumble.

The Solterra should be cannibalizing Crosstrek or Forester sales. The point is to transition away from gas.

[R P]

Originally Posted by Snow Drift

Well, someone put the kibosh on it. GM had the EV1, then they sold the patents to Chevron and asked the US Gov't for a bailout and a loan to develop EVs. It's all too little too late.

Subaru, like the other Japanese brands have not done enough, even to the point of getting in the way, of progress. This is the first step, but it's a stumble.

The Solterra should be cannibalizing Crosstrek or Forester sales. The point is to transition away from gas.

I agree that the first step is not a big one, but I wouldn't call it a stumble. After all, it does support the Subaru adventure and off road branding. Need to see some tests and reviews, though, to confirm whether it is worthy. Would have liked to see a little more clearance. But as far as I know it is the first and only small off-road capable EV SUV. That could sell.



I think they are being cautious, and besides testing the water, I think they want to be careful about not going out too far on a limb on the tech side. Wouldn't look good if their first effort blew up on them. But the pricing will have to be right, too, ie cheap.

[R P]

Have seen a lot more pics and vids, and while the exterior is OK, that "Toyota" interior is just plain hideous. And that little dash behind the steering wheel is downright weird. Not sure about the Toyota driver assist system either, whether how good it is. I like EyeSight, but that's not what is in the Solterra.

I like the centre console storage, but no glove box. And no frunk up front.

For a first effort from Toyota/Subaru, I would have expected more. Better have good off-road chops or it will be a total failure. And will have to be cheap if it is going to sell at all.

[R P]

Have seen a lot more pics and vids, and while the exterior is OK, that "Toyota" interior is just plain hideous. And that little dash behind the steering wheel is downright weird. Not sure about the Toyota driver assist system either, whether how good it is. I like EyeSight, but that's not what is in the Solterra.

I like the centre console storage, but no glove box. And no frunk up front.

For a first effort from Toyota/Subaru, I would have expected more. Better have good off-road chops or it will be a total failure. And will have to be cheap if it is going to sell at all.

[JustyWRC]

Originally Posted by R P

Have seen a lot more pics and vids, and while the exterior is OK, that "Toyota" interior is just plain hideous. And that little dash behind the steering wheel is downright weird. Not sure about the Toyota driver assist system either, whether how good it is. I like EyeSight, but that's not what is in the Solterra.

I like the centre console storage, but no glove box. And no frunk up front.

For a first effort from Toyota/Subaru, I would have expected more. Better have good off-road chops or it will be a total failure. And will have to be cheap if it is going to sell at all.

Did you see the JDM reveal video of it climbing? That is on it's stock street tires. From what I've seen, it's "capable". But, I agree with some others that the range is a bit disappointing. For me, I'd be out of juice by the time I got to a lot of what I'd like to do with it. Would have to waste time charging before having fun, then having to charge before the journey home. And then I'm a bit limited(until there's more charging available) to where I can go. If I lived in locations nearer to mountains and such, that would be better. Now, for me, two major things will keep me from getting it. Price(I just know it'll be more than I'd want to spend) and Toyota builds it.

[R P]

Originally Posted by JustyWRC

Did you see the JDM reveal video of it climbing? That is on it's stock street tires. From what I've seen, it's "capable". But, I agree with some others that the range is a bit disappointing. For me, I'd be out of juice by the time I got to a lot of what I'd like to do with it. Would have to waste time charging before having fun, then having to charge before the journey home. And then I'm a bit limited(until there's more charging available) to where I can go. If I lived in locations nearer to mountains and such, that would be better. Now, for me, two major things will keep me from getting it. Price(I just know it'll be more than I'd want to spend) and Toyota builds it.

Yes, I saw that, and there is some hope that it will be not bad for off road.


For laughs, here is an ID.4 that was tested off-road. If you remember they had commercials aimed at Subaru. It failed miserably. Same guy also tested an MDX with the same result. Just hope the Solterra is a true Subaru AWD.

Volkswagen ID.4 AWD Takes On The Out of Spec Hill Climb Challenge! - YouTube

Volkswagen ID.4 AWD Takes On The Out of Spec Hill Climb Challenge! - YouTube

[Snow Drift]

Originally Posted by R P

I think they are being cautious, and besides testing the water, I think they want to be careful about not going out too far on a limb on the tech side. Wouldn't look good if their first effort blew up on them. But the pricing will have to be right, too, ie cheap.

Testing the waters? Compelling EVs sell like hot cakes. Tesla has the water at hot tub levels. JUMP IN!

[R P]

Originally Posted by Snow Drift

Testing the waters? Compelling EVs sell like hot cakes. Tesla has the water at hot tub levels. JUMP IN!

Tesla has no off road capable cars. Solterra might be one, but much of the rest of the car is a big disappointment. My son has a Tesla M3 and a Forester. I have a Kona EV and a Crosstrek. Was hoping the Solterra might replace the Crosstrek. Son is looking to replace the Forester with the Ford 150 Lightning (has an early pre-order). But looks like I will be keeping my Crosstrek for quite a while yet.



Don't like Tesla's. The interior is even worse looking (with that distracting center monitor) than the Solterra. At least my Kona and Crosstrek have nice interiors. A plain Jane Corolla interior looks better than an M3 interior.



And Tesla still hasn't improved their quality/reliability.
https://insideevs.com/news/549130/co...ity-poor-2021/

[Snow Drift]

Originally Posted by R P

Tesla has no off road capable cars. Solterra might be one, but much of the rest of the car is a big disappointment. My son has a Tesla M3 and a Forester. I have a Kona EV and a Crosstrek. Was hoping the Solterra might replace the Crosstrek. Son is looking to replace the Forester with the Ford 150 Lightning (has an early pre-order). But looks like I will be keeping my Crosstrek for quite a while yet.



Don't like Tesla's. The interior is even worse looking (with that distracting center monitor) than the Solterra. At least my Kona and Crosstrek have nice interiors. A plain Jane Corolla interior looks better than an M3 interior.



And Tesla still hasn't improved their quality/reliability.
https://insideevs.com/news/549130/co...ity-poor-2021/

The Solterra is not designed to go off roading. It has X-Mode, like all Subaru SUVs. It’s not a 4Runner or Wrangler. That’s not the point of the car, nor its demographic. Yes it will have good traction for mud and snow, but come on.

I have owned two Teslas and they have been great. Our Model Y is fantastic. The display is not distracting. I will buy more in the future.

[R P]

Originally Posted by Snow Drift

The Solterra is not designed to go off roading. It has X-Mode, like all Subaru SUVs. It's not a 4Runner or Wrangler. That's not the point of the car, nor its demographic. Yes it will have good traction for mud and snow, but come on.

Subarus are not rock crawlers. But they are great for mild off roading. My Crosstrek is better than any truck, Jeep or other SUV on our cabin FSR road. The diff is the smooth ride over small bumps and pot holes incl washboard. The others rattle your teeth at best, and lose traction around corners. And X-mode works great on the steep parts, where the others need to use momentum to get up and through the holes to keep from spinning. I know, because I used to drive that same road with my 4WD truck and it was always a tense ride. With my Crosstrek the trip is a pleasant scenic adventure.


And with my K02s on my Crosstrek I have 9.2" clearance (no lift) better than most stock trucks and nearly the same as stock Jeep. So yes, The Crosstrek really is a good off road vehicle for how most people would go off road. And if the Solterra is as good as the Crosstrek off road, that could be its best redeeming quality.

[Snow Drift]

Originally Posted by R P

Subarus are not rock crawlers. But they are great for mild off roading. My Crosstrek is better than any truck, Jeep or other SUV on our cabin FSR road. The diff is the smooth ride over small bumps and pot holes incl washboard. The others rattle your teeth at best, and lose traction around corners. And X-mode works great on the steep parts, where the others need to use momentum to get up and through the holes to keep from spinning. I know, because I used to drive that same road with my 4WD truck and it was always a tense ride. With my Crosstrek the trip is a pleasant scenic adventure.


And with my K02s on my Crosstrek I have 9.2" clearance (no lift) better than most stock trucks and nearly the same as stock Jeep. So yes, The Crosstrek really is a good off road vehicle for how most people would go off road. And if the Solterra is as good as the Crosstrek off road, that could be its best redeeming quality.

I’m glad you enjoy your Crosstrek. You’re doing more than 99.9% of owners.

[R P]

Originally Posted by Snow Drift

I’m glad you enjoy your Crosstrek. You’re doing more than 99.9% of owners.

Haha, you really don't know much about Crosstreks and the Subaru SUVs. You should go over to the Crosstrek forums, and you might learn something.


Here is a trek I did a couple years ago. It really illustrates how good the Crosstrek really is. X-mode is fantastic.

https://www.subaruxvforum.com/thread...6#post-2036586
And feel free to browse more of that thread to see what Subaru off roading is really like.