Subaru’s All New Active Urban EV | 2023 Subaru Solterra AWD Review

[@TheTom2video]

A wonderful honest review. I'm a Subaru fan since 1999. I have purchased 5 Subaru's from 1999 - 2020 during this span. I had my heart set on the Solterra Touring trim. This would've been my 6th.Subaru. I was one of the first to reserve the Solterra back on February 8. The first 5 minutes when the reservations opened up. Was told by my dealer that I would receive the vehicle by the summer. In June, an embarrassing recall about the front wheels falling off. This was not something I was expecting. It took Subaru and Toyota almost 4 months to figure out the problem. On September 2, I decided to look elsewhere for another EV. Needless to say through a lot of research and word of mouth through friends and relatives, I decided to go with the 2023 Hyundai Ioniq 5 limited trim. I did took delivery on November 4. On December 30, the Subaru dealer called me and said the Solterra is in. In a way, the Hyundai Ioniq 5 worked out better for my needs. I do travel between New York and Baltimore often. The Solterra had a lot of outstanding features in which had me sold initially. Two things the Solterra was lacking in a big way. First was the range of 220 miles. Second was the rapid charging time of an hour to charge from 10 to 80 % . This is way out in left field for Subaru and Toyota. I was expecting 300 miles of range and fast charging of less than 30 minutes. The Hyundai Ioniq 5 has a range of 266 miles and rapid charging in less than 20 minutes. If the range was close to the Hyundai Ioniq 5, I might have waited for the Solterra. Till Subaru can improve their range and rapid charging time, I MIGHT CONSIDER BUYING THE SUBARU EV !!!!!!

[@Brian-dd2df]

I’m in a similar situation. This would’ve been my 4th subie. I test drove one the other day. It’s an absolute blast to drive. But overall living in SoCal it doesn’t make sense to pay this much for AWD where I don’t need it because I can’t go far enough to need it. If only they made it charge faster then the range wouldn’t be such a limiting factor. There are some weird quirks with infotainment that I can get past. But as of right now it only makes sense to own this if you need power to all 4 wheels around town because you won’t be able to get too far to go on adventure very quickly. It only makes sense to me that they sell this anywhere that gets heavy snow and rain until they bring charging and perhaps range up to par with the market.

[@TheTom2video]

@@Brian-dd2df I totally agree with you on what we commented . The range could be a factor, but fast rapid charging could work for you. Unfortunately, I do need the range and faster rapid charging because I travel between New York and Baltimore often. Where I’m going is about 210 miles. Rapid charging on the Solterra is about 56 minutes. I can’t be waiting around. I need something to rapid charge inside 20 minutes. It would be a normal service stop at the Jersey turnpike with my gas vehicle which is about 20 minutes . If the Solterra had a range of 280 miles and rapid charging less than 30 minutes, I would’ve waited for the Solterra. Their AWD system is one of the best. Great in snow. I’ve owned 5 Subaru’s and each one was great in the snow. I don’t plan to go off road with my Subaru’s. Till Subaru comes up with longer range and faster rapid charging time, I might reconsider a Subaru EV.

[@-johnny-deep-]

I'm disappointed in the range. Also super expensive, and I'd never buy the first model year of this all-new-for-Subaru EV venture. Luckily I've still got 5+ years of life left in my Forester and an eager to see how Subaru's EV offerings improve over that time.

[@Youtubeuseritis]

@@TheTom2video do you still own the ionic five? yes, do you recommend it?

[@TheTom2video]

@@KZbinuseritis yes I still own the 2023 Hyundai Ioniq 5. It’s my play toy. I do recommend the vehicle, but I would wait for the 2025 model because it will have the rear wiper. This is the one of the gripes I have about the vehicle. The other gripe is it drives like a heavy tank. It’s not that comfortable on a long trip. I’ve taken trips to New York 3 times with no range issues. It charges fast on a level 3 charger. Hyundai says it takes less than 20 minutes to fast charge on 350 kwh output. The 150 key output is more readily available and it takes less than 30 minutes to charge. That’s doable for me b

[@chrisrader8547]

Just took delivery on one of these in Premium trim. Its the 4th EV I have owned. The hit EV’s take on range when the HVAC is on blast is something I got accustomed to. I rent a car for traveling cross-country to keep the miles off my personal vehicles, so range anxiety hasn’t been an issue for me and I dont mind using the climate controls as a result. Ive found the range, so far, to be better than advertised. Its been nice enough outside I havent been running the AC the past couple of days and the range has been north of 250. Not everyone’s cup of tea, but Im happy with it.

[@Neutralreviews]

Fantastic comments!! So great to hear a real review from an owner. Great idea on the rental!! Thanks for sharing:)

[@Youtubeuseritis]

Do you still have it and do you still recommend it?

[@DennisKatali]

Love you interviews From Kenya

[@Neutralreviews]

Thank you!

[@petervisima4798]

This was a great honest review. Thank you!

[@Neutralreviews]

You are welcome! Loved it but I’m a plug in hybrid kind a fellow until they put more charging stations up.

[@OpT1c_NRG]

Very nice. Just one suggestion... Bring back the orange shoes! 😀

[@Neutralreviews]

My new favourite comment 😄

[@KThach.]

I'm surprised these are already in Ontario. Any plans to review the ID.4 AWD?

[@Neutralreviews]

I was too! And absolutely on the ID4. I have 2 amazing VW dealerships I work with now. Unfortunately, almost all reviews so for have been on demos so I will if they put one on the road. Really hoping we can grow the show to where manufacturers will give us cars and get a big enough audience for donations:) Thanks again for your support

[@Freynightwalker]

Great thorough review, nice points about the cold and range

[@ELP1125]

Isn't this just the bz4x with a Subaru badge 😂

[@yodawg3469]

It's stupid how many cars these days don't come with a spare tire,makes zero sense.

[@Neutralreviews]

It's all fun and games until you have a blowout that can't be patched in the middle of nowhere. I get lightweight sports cars that don't go out of towing range or assistance, but vehicles that are marketed to go off the beaten path should probably have one.

[@matthiasmuller5173]

I drove the Solterra and was a bit disappointed, very high consumption and a lot of cheap materials. Thereare better EVs on the market in my opinion.

[@Neutralreviews]

Agreed on that consumption!! You definitely should only get if serious about getting off the main road because you are right. Way more economical and higher end for the money

[@gracecouchman5235]

Can you say which ones you think are better.

[@matthiasmuller5173]

@@gracecouchman5235 Depends on your requirements. Try to drive the EVs you are interested in. If you need towing capacity the choice is limited. If you want high efficiency Tesla could be a good choice. Comfort and build quality ID.3,4,5 and theirenbrithers are a good choice. If price is a very important point, MG could be your car. Also the possibility to charge can make a difference. In my country HPC are often better reachable than Supercharger and every 50-100km i can finde a free HPC. Top of the range the facelift Audi e-trom is a good choice. Nearly every EV has it advantages and disadvantages. If I personally would buy a new one I think it would be a little City-EV my wife would love, like the Fiat 500e. Best compromis for me would be an ID.3 with big battery fun in the city aand good enough for long trips and the upcoming facelift makes the interior better.

[@-johnny-deep-]

What do you mean by high consumption?

[@Ittou-Ogami]

У него дорожный просвет меньше чем у короллы )))

[@jamesedwards1545]

Horrible range on this car 220 mile in real world is 180-190 What a wast

[@Neutralreviews]

I think this type of thing scares me off for myself personally getting an EV anytime soon.

[@TheTom2video]

I agree with you that it’s a waste, I originally had one on reserve. I had to cancel due to the recall on the front wheel falling off when braking and turning. Subaru wasted their time on putting this vehicle out too soon. Unfortunately, they came in very late to enter the EV competition. They’re totally in left field when it comes to range and rapid charge time.

[@sportzfan939]

Both BZ4X and Solterra are a waste. Not worth getting