Subaru Solterra - Review & Off Road Test

[@Nigel999]

Analogy, simile, metaphor - Gavin, you are the Grand Master….conjuring up comparisons that defy the imagination and make you smile. But at the same time your car review is insightful, informative and interesting. Waiting for your next one already 😊

[@oblivionnokk3531]

Not all solterras have wireless android auto, that depends where it is from. Here in Norway it is without wireless android auto, but the charger compartment is nice to stowe away the wireless dongle as I like to charge my phone with USB cables either way so it does not loose power even while charging as the wireless charging is slow in general, so with android auto active, its actually loosing power while charging. But the car has plenty of USBc chargers. Looks wise, I love mine which is also white, but black roof (Glass roof) As mine is the Premium version. Does make the car more fulfilled with the extra black spots around the car. And its soooo comfy, even for a big fella like myself.

[@rob1733]

Your reviews are one of a kind! So Informative, but also crack me up! Thanks again!

[@nakfan]

Great video with a lot of info on practicality like seat height and ingress / egress 👍 I like that 😊Per (Denmark)

[@rohankilby4499]

Toyota actively campaigned against even the smallest improvements in Australian fuel efficiency standards. I wouldn’t touch em

[@bluestraycat]

Wasn't the Austin Allegro the first car to feature a square steering wheel? Laughed at, at the time, but now seems to be standard equipment on EVs. The off-road capabilities of this car really surprised me, even if the interior was like winter in Greymouth !

[@RennieAsh]

2:26 I put slightly larger tyres on my car so now it has about 1cm more ground clearance. Off road status success!!

[@LINCARD1000]

Always enjoy your reviews, Gav, nice one :-) Not a fan of this JAUAV (just another urban assault vehicle), and I think its "intended market" would consider driving over a curb an off-road experience ;-) But still, you make a very gray experience hugely entertaining nonetheless, thank you!

[@scottsanquentin601]

Hi Gavin. I just test drove the sister car to this, the 2024 Toyota bz4x AWD. On the plus side, very good road handling for a family car and ample boot space. BYD, Kia & Hyundai all have better battery tech. While the 385 Km range of the bz4x is practical, it is 10 percent less than many of its competitors. Toyota still has much to learn in the EV space.

[@justohall]

Great video Gav. Car looks solid, but not exciting. The value proposition doesn’t seem to be there unless you are a grey fan.

[@cicmelo]

Hey Gavin, did you write the script? It's hilarious! 😅 Another great review!

[@JasonMarkantes]

Great to see someone finally driving a Solterra like a Subaru, ie off pavement. Curious how this will actually rally at top speed. Nice that there's less concern bouncing the oil pan off the ground on fast rough terrain, but wondering how the battery packs will do bouncing that same terrain, especially over the long term.

[@Garethmeech]

Great video Gavin - your puns and kiwiana references in this one are next level!

[@eriklevin8447]

Yet another great review Gav 😎👍🏻✅

[@TruthInFiction]

wireless charger is in the fold up middle compartment where the extra usb is

[@ObiePaddles]

NEDC = Not Even Damn Close WLTP = Way Less Than Predicted.

[@nickwilliams1953]

Way Less Than Promised?

[@kosmokramer9502]

The WLTP range on my BYD is bang on. I very often also beat the rated WLTP range of 425km

[@ObiePaddles]

@@kosmokramer9502 I generally get the WLTP for most cars. I learned to drive in working class family with no money…amazing how far you can go on fuel when you can afford it!

[@ObiePaddles]

@@nickwilliams1953 Probably!

[@keithwilson1554]

As you Know Aussies are the Standard setters when it comes to English and Pronunciations. So Mr Pedantic Here to tell you it is Sue bah roo.....cobber.

[@MrSwaggie1]

This car was meant to be sold in Australia 2 years ago but Subaru pulled it because of a short driving range, like 100kms. So it is still not available in Australia and with those prices I can’t see them doing it anytime soon.

[@vhol93]

04:59 0.89 jason momoas loooool

[@mighty_bunny]

Thank you for the review!

[@QALibrary]

I was very much looking forward to this review - they used to sell a lot of this brand of cars a lot in Australia and New Zealand so will this reverse the trend? My thoughts are it’s not off roady enough for the long time buyers of this brand and the change to battery powered could also scare brand followers off

[@ZoneKei]

I wish it came in a Drum and Bass version.

[@kelvynbettridge]

Gav just dropped into say g’day, but cant hang around to watch a video on such an inadequate and overpriced car to ever wear the Subaru name. See you soon.

[@nickwilliams1953]

Another great review and and super funny at the same time. Car looks pretty good but that's a rubbish tow rating for an AWD vehicle. No V2L is also weird these days. Pity as the rest of it looks fine, on the plus side we may get a few used imports at some point.

[@Sparrowdeplume]

Love my Solterra Touring. ❤ The interior is not vinyl it’s Startex which is recycled and vegan as well as being water resistant and breathable.

[@unSTEVOED]

Id love to get one, just need to win lotto first

[@scottsanquentin601]

I wonder how much extra driving range you would get if you didn't turn on the heated seats / heated steering wheel?

[@SydneyEV]

How does an EV have symmetrical AWD?

[@paulholterhaus7084]

It don't........Same as BZ4.......But very good for most of Us...............Paul

[@TassieEV]

As always another fantastic video Gav. Being Japanese of course they used the Not Even Damn Close rating over the WLTP which isn't close to real world either only EPA is closest to real world but that is only used in the US/Canada unfortunately. That interior though as you mentioned is very boring and to not have V2L or wireless AC/AA for a new 2024 EV is poor. No glovebox though, think the bz4x is the same mind you but ridiculous to not have it where do you put the service manual or owners manual then or your mints for that matter.

[@primafacie6442]

How does it go in a half meter flood in South Auckland? Same as manufacturers fuel consumption figures, any EV range is more accurate if you bank on achieving 75%.

[@kjoebek]

I love mine Solterra❤

[@morri03]

I was amazed at how many of these were sold maybe it was just dealers registering demo vehicles. I can’t think of a single reason why you’d choose to buy one of these

[@DanLucas-n6i]

Meanwhile in the US this car has 222 miles or 357 km.... it does beat that range if driven in eco mode and like the old person I aspire to be.

[@tomduncan3547]

Too expensive but I am 100% with you on Lord of the Rings. Why watch three movies just to see people climbing a mountain. Nope.

[@TerryHickey-xt4mf]

thanks for telling me the 'plot' I had the same problem.

[@kapadokyali_arabaci]

hello there, Solterra VS Torres evx...Which one should i buy now? help me pls.

[@Zarphag]

Adequate I guess. Theres a market for this but at $80k I'm not convinced

[@stephenodonohue9876]

Gavin, Mach-e pronounced Mack-e... not Mark-e. Also interesting way to pronounce Subaru.

[@Jcewazhere]

I wish Subaru had made their own. Having the notably anti-EV Toyota do most of the work hurt the car. It's basically a slower, oversized, overpriced Chevy Bolt that happens to have AWD. You can get a new Bolt for a bit over half what you can get that Roo for. Shame cuz I really liked my Subarus.

[@johnlambert1744]

So it's basically an EV version of the Crosstrek, except twice the price!

[@garydmercer]

I test drove the base model of the Subaru Solterra. I completely disagree with you opinion that the front seats are comfortable---compared to what? My 2020 Subaru Forester base model has the most comfortable seats I've even owned in a car---I've owned 22 vehicles so far...I test drove the Solterra. Subaru put cheap Toyota designed front seats which are awful in it. I couldn't believe it. Even the Subaru rep agreed, that Subaru had made a huge mistake regarding the seats, allowing the lower quality Toyota seats to be used. FAIL!!!! The most important part of the car is the seat you sit on. I"m not driving for hours on a cheap, uncomfortable car seat poorly designed by Toyota. That is the main reason why I didn't buy a Toyota Rav4 base model. Its seats were awful. Now I find these same awful seats in a Subaru? No amount of money is worth driving a car with crappy low quality seats. Then add to the huge price for sale in America? Can't even take advantage of the FED $7500 EV tax rebate offered in the U.S? These overpriced Solterras are a failure here in the U.S. Sales are meager. Overpriced. Subaru has failed with its first offering of an EV in my opinion. Lost a future EV customer. I'll go with Tesla. It has more mature technology, better FSD drive capability and is a better value for the purchase price currently.

[@malbo2864]

No spare tyre in a heavy EV, marketed as being more than capable for most adventures. That's a glaring stupid omission and one you didn't even comment on! Imagine going down a road less travelled out of phone coverage and ripping a tyre as does happen... A lot. Good luck.

[@scottsanquentin601]

Great comment. The makers of EVs opted for larger batteries to improve range. In the course of doing so, they sacrificed the space that used to fit a spare tyre. Most EV makers just include a puncture repair kit with new cars.

[@winghosamLeung-ff3bu]

Panda look ev

[@introduxium]

The Toyota version of this car is crap, the range is bad, super bad in cold weather. Hopefully this version is better, but ye i dont know. Works probebly better in NZ then in scandinavia.

[@Zarphag]

NZ bz4x doesnt have the garbage panasonic battery tho like conusa etc

[@solwong97]

So im paying 80K for a rebadged toyota, ok? Rather go for a Macan at the same price.

[@4dshow]

STROGEN or ROGEN?

[@1982craigyboy]

Was it not ESTROGEN? Or something?

[@JoshuaMcTackett]

❌Subaru Solterra ✅Tesla Model Y or BYD Atto 3

[@metricstormtrooper]

That price means this car is a hopeless joke.

[@ObiePaddles]

Model Y + $8k is daft. 3 spuds maximum

[@toyotaprius79]

That's what Toyota intended

[@Zarphag]

@@ObiePaddles AWD model Y is $80k tho so same price. Still an easy choice tho

[@gregb1599]

Well only Tesls are selling over 100 EV per month. I believe they sold 6 Solterra last month! Even the second best selling EV sold a whopping 23 BYD Atto 3, Seal 13 and Dolphin 1!

[@global_southerner]

This car is an IQ test, I will look for those who drive it on the road 😂

[@zanetrevarton5769]

Estrogen. Legend. 😂

[@firefighterbradh]

Off road? That's not even as steep as the average Auckland backyard 🙂

[@garywillis8737]

Winger Subaru Greenlane is a joke. Bought four cars from them over the years, most recent one appeared to be an accident repaired vehicle. Would avoid and go else where.

[@mitchellhandcock1891]

Appeared to be? In what way?

[@garywillis8737]

@@mitchellhandcock1891 Panels out of alignment, fitment, missing clips - all found at a specific portion of the vehicle. Nothing against Subaru, just need to be careful who you're buying from, if not buying brand new. I know who I would avoid going forward.

[@adh1003]

The frankly fairly crappy Toyota upon which is based is infamous for wildly over-stating its range, almost to a criminal extent. The fact the Subaru is equally as bad is no surprise. I don't agree, then, with your comments about badge engineering being scary - this was a bad platform from the start and the outcome is unsurprising. Companies trying to hide who really made something via branding is a scourge. You take it off road and ultimately claim it is a "real Subaru". But you compare it to a Leaf! Why didn't you compare it to the Toyota upon which is based? Well, I think we know the answer - both would make it up the easy, dry, grassy hill climb. Again, this is just trying to hide the fact that it's basically the same car, the original Toyota isn't good, and this variant is more expensive. As an aside, it feels click-baity that you quote the marketing 485km range up-front but *do not say* that this *is not WLTP*. That should've been made clear straight away.

[@ScottDavies-m2b]

Soooobaarooo.?

[@andrewlast9960]

Sue Bar roo and heated seats

[@P-Bee]

Not according to the Japanese. kzbin.info/www/bejne/qX6Xh5p8d7Glbbs

[@simonmanners4108]

Sue-bar-roo…

[@Nicholas.T]

Yes, a strange way to pronounce “Subaru” !! But hey…New Zealand 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@Bagels29]

For some reason my brain thinks this is Ford Mustang mach-e sultana.

[@domlarry]

Absolute rubbish car for the price 😂

[@suteners2111]

now lets just wait 10 years until I can afford used one.

[@inouehiroyuki]

A Chinese car with a Japanese badge...bz4x,too.