Very Likeable, But Two Big Flaws (Subaru Solterra 2024 Review)

[@chasingcars]

The Solterra is actually pretty good to drive. But an SUV that's decent for touring and light off-roading needs *more range* and *a spare wheel* - do you agree?

[@jonathanfields4ever]

Efficiency is the fatal flaw of both this and the BZ4X

[@davidholmes3323]

Agree. A little more height also. I use my forester in national parks. Not sure the Solterra is up the task.

[@chasingcars]

Looking forward to doing our standardised highway range test. We asked for access to the car to do this testing (fairly time consuming) before the embargo dropped and we were able to publish our review, but Subaru said they were not able to provide the car in time.

[@foxtrot762]

Disagree

[@zambacan]

@@jonathanfields4everI think range is ok

[@richardbuckingham4329]

Excellent video. I like the Solterra more than what I was expecting, it does have a certain charm. But yes, it does need twice the range, a full sized spare, and a significant price cut. Maybe gen 2 will be closer to the mark.

[@oscarcavazos1040]

I drive a 2023 Subaru Solterra for my job, at a Subaru dealership, as a shuttle driver! I love it! Your video is very informative for those who are thinking of a EV. A lot like my response to the 2023, I did notice that the Solterra does not offer Eye Site, like the gas powered Subarus. Nice video I enjoyed watching!

[@TheNewMediaoftheDawn]

It’s class leading, at least for Off road, and to those of us who do rural driving, that’s big.

[@BobSibson]

Test drove one a couple of weeks back. Handled really well on some tight windy roads, and the torque was good going up some significant climbs. Wasn't a long test drive so I wasn't able to do a deep dive into the driver interface with the car's instrument panel. I thought the seats were comfortable but felt a little confined by the large centre console. All in all pretty decent. Pretty high price though.

[@MaxFromSydney1]

I’d like to see Subaru come out with a hybrid option for their line-up with battery under the rear seats, like Toyota does it, together with a full size spare. I like my Outback XT, but it does chew through fuel a bit in town.

[@Clove_Parma]

They have a hybrid, it's rubbish. Doesn't save meaningful amounts of fuel. They'd be best licensing the Toyota hybrid drivetrain

[@mighty_bunny]

​@@Clove_ParmaIt's been reported that they'll be doing exactly that with the new generation Forester!

[@brandontr8946]

yeah i love my Forester but its economy around town is just disappointing.

[@narvuntien]

Its charging curve and efficiency are a problem. But I think it has a niche for people living on the edge of the city or in rural towns that have home solar, are still close to fast charging but do have to go off road occasionally.

[@jorgelozano620]

Are we just not going to talk about how the automatic parking on this car is the only one that has ever worked. (In my experience, I've had quite a few cars that claimed it, but the systems never worked for one reason or another)

[@jamiefrangos9233]

Enjoyed the story, sick of the same old cars here in Australia. Not really into EV's, but it would be good to see something fresh for sure at least. On this note can you PLEASE do a story on Dacia as I have heard they are coming to Australia. I am particularly interested in the new Duster from Dacia. That thing ROCKS...and I'm 58, so not a lot excites me.

[@Xynudu]

It weighs 500 KG (1/2 tonne) more than a similar sized Crosstrek. How can that be a good thing offroad ? Also too expensive, but I guess someone will buy it.

[@ronwatson3237]

Probably the best review I’ve seen on this SUV - pretty objective. I have one and he hits all the marks. I enjoy this car very much - it’s unique looking - very attractive and different. I have driven a model Y and prefer this car - the ‘paddle’ regen is pretty cool.

[@unSTEVOED]

…so what do you do if you get a puncture??

[@bananabear009]

Wouldn't buy Subaru anymore. I have had my 5 year old Forester serviced by Subaru since new. Then it malfunctioned only 1 month after a scheduled maintenance, right before a road trip. Costed us $2500 to repair immdiately to go on the road trip. And Subaru Australia has not been helpful throughout the process.

[@chasingcars]

What turned out to be wrong with it in the end?

[@bananabear009]

@@chasingcars A coolant bypass valve was malfunctioned.

[@gregj7916]

Who can afford to buy or lease one of these? Is it really a Toyota? It would be nice if someone built a family bev under 1400kg

[@TB-up4xi]

@@gregj7916 Not sure what you mean by a family car but that's a pretty low mark even for a petrol car - about the weight of a Mini Clubman, Toyota Corolla or Audi A3. A BYD Dolphin is bigger than all of these and 1500kg. At 2000kg giver or take the Solterra is about the same size and weight as an Audi Q5

[@RodneyW]

@@bananabear009 If that was the "standard" TCV issue, Subaru should be covering the cost a failure like that under an extended warranty.

[@toddandchristinestrickland]

I'm very disappointed in the very limited boot space and sloping rear glass window. I currently drive a 2012 Outback and rely completely upon all that space in the back for our camping gear. There is no way what we bring will fit into the back. If this is supposed to be taken off-road, Subaru needs to provide ample storage capacity for people to bring their off-road gear.

[@lbrwnie]

Atto 3 specs at Ioniq 5 price, no thanks. Will be interesting to see if they improve this with newer models

[@msjp81]

As someone who has driven an Atto 3 and a Solterra, they're absolutely incomparable. There is more to EVs than their range.

[@foxtrot762]

@@msjp81 Subaru 💩💩💩💩

[@gerdz101]

Don’t think you can off road with the ioniq 5.

[@kjenk19]

I think it looks great from what I have seen so far. It is definitely a top contender to replace my 2015 Outback. A spare wheel and 500km range would provide good peace of mind.

[@satya.anandakrishnan]

Is this really going to be enough to take on the likes of the Model Y and the new BYD mid-size SUV coming?

[@johnlambert1744]

This is really a different class of EV, can't really compare it to a Model Y too easily. The Tesla will always trump any other EV with this supercharging network and connectivity features, plus they are a lot more efficient. Plus the Tesla charges faster. But of course Tesla's aren't designed to go off-road - but in saying that the Subaru will only be good for light off-roading as it's not a proper 4WD.

[@RedPanda555]

Buying a first gen EV is short sighted. Too many unknowns with resale value. Not to mention the inconveniences of charging due to poorly developed infrastructure.

[@bananabear009]

True, only the pioneers don't worry about resale value.

[@chasingcars]

It's true that gen-two models (or gen-two platforms) usually feel more complete. Good case in point is the new Kona EV - considerably better car than the one it replaced, and it even manages to pack a spare wheel this time around. That said, the Solterra/BZ4X had a long gestation, so it arguably wasn't quite as rushed as some rivals were.

[@foxtrot762]

That's because you're poor

[@RedPanda555]

@@foxtrot762Thanks for your useful response.

[@zambacan]

There are other ways to look at it. Perhaps it takes people prepared to pay to change the industry because they have a long term view with priorities other than their bank balance

[@GlowingTube]

The value and resale equation looks poor to me. Frankly, buying ICE or Hybrid makes more sense to me… for now. I predict very poor sales of this vehicle.

[@JW-kz7hs]

If it had 500km of driving range, actual range or very close to it, I'd be keen for this car. Especially because its Japanese.

[@craigsommerville2300]

Why would getting into one of these things from another Subaru be a “step up” other than in price?

[@chasingcars]

Smoothness and no CVT to name two, I guess.

[@craigsommerville2300]

That makes no sense.

[@joshuanicholson420]

Very long term Subaru fan and owner. This one misses the mark by a long long way, really hope this is not their future

[@stephengrainger248]

Excellent review. 😊

[@chasingcars]

Glad you liked it!

[@leeson865]

Holy shit that cladding looks horrible

[@Paradoxical124]

Why does this dude get given such a bad microphone?

[@paulmoore721]

We need a Forester EV with a decent range and NACS charging.

[@simonh6788]

Why do you need NACS? ‘straylia mate.

[@geoffsemon7411]

I think for the price, the range and power are pathetic

[@davidlew1390]

The charging time is the worst in it's class!

[@_hold_the_line_]

No spare wheel is a deal breaker, otherwise looking good.

[@bradtarrant2752]

There is a spare option now attached to back

[@leedaq7767]

Australian infrastructure is not even close for EV.. when are they bringing Wilderness??????

[@zambacan]

Plug it in at home

[@hadtobe4502]

How could you miss the obvious - the ugly mismatched body panels. This is Toyota and Subaru's hope to turn you off and flock to their hybrids that haven't been given the ugly makeover.

[@chasingcars]

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. This isn't beautiful but we do think it looks better than the BZ4X.

[@gdubyadubya8961]

Two big flaws? E and V.

[@chrisdardis4794]

Yeah, my Liberty 3.6R has a nasty leak on the CVT pump at 75K. Fix entirely at my expense. No more Subaru for me, certainly not this stinker of a compliance car.

[@artistcarter7657]

Hell yes case gas is going up ………… me need trump

[@stuartbendall2134]

Another boring SUV

[@FreddyGunawan]

Slow😂

[@foxtrot762]

Subaru 💩💩💩💩