The Ultimate Subaru Solterra video, on and off road

[@bonjstephenson]

Mentioning that you own all three, curious to know, it you could only choose one, between Outback Wilderness and Solterra, which one would be your pick and why?

[@PlanetSubaruBoston]

The Wilderness is probably better for one-car households because the limited range on the Solterra makes longer trips pretty complicated considering the current state of the charging infrastructure. If you already have a gas car for your occasional long trips, you will love the Solterra as your second car.

[@z1az285]

​​​@@PlanetSubaruBostonI drove the solterra as a loaner and I was blown away by how well it drove both in eco and sport mode. Plus X mode is awesome (I own a Crosstrek). My only gripe is no chrome latches in a limited model or no power passenger seat? That was a bit disappointing but the cloth dash actually felt a lot better than it looks in pictures. Of course the 360 camera was fantastic and made parking a breeze.. visibility is top notch regardless. The range isn't the best in class but the drive is quiet, feels extremely smooth and refined. I really liked it.and you are right it was very easy to drive and Intuitive. Excellent review. You are correct this doesn't have true one pedal driving but itegen braking is very good if not perfect

[@PlanetSubaruBoston]

@@z1az285 Those feature choices are vexing for manufacturers...each one adds a little cost, increasing the price of the vehicle, and those features are meaningful to some people and not to others. One of our Solterra owners on the Planet team didn't even notice the absence of chrome latches until you pointed it out, but does miss the steering-responsive headlights available on other Subaru models because he has a twisty driveway and likes the extra illumination in the corners. A person living in a more developed area (with straighter roads and more streetlights) would probably never miss them. In any event, it's an awesome car that will benefit from people test driving it--it's hard to go back to a gas car after driving the Solterra.

[@z1az285]

@@PlanetSubaruBoston I understand what you are saying. Thank you for pointing out the SRH feature, I drove it during the day so didn't notice. I do understand they were trying to keep the cost as low as possible (including the manual passenger seat) but you are absolutely correct about finding it difficult going back to a gasoline car. The solterra is much more refined and smooth than any gas car I've ever driven (including a Passat W8, Audi A6). Plus dual X mode in new england is a key feature. I do hope there is a legacy or Crosstrek equivalent variant one day.

[@z1az285]

@@PlanetSubaruBoston I actually own a limited 2018 legacy and recently purchased a 2021 limited Crosstrek. When I was comparing the two I was surprised that the top trim Crosstrek didn't have a power passenger seat or rear vents/ rear heated seats like my legacy but I understood that they are built on different platforms and hence cost considerations. But the Crosstrek has X mode that the legacy doesn't as well as auto stop/ start and from my experience, better gear shifting and more smooth transmission so there will be variations/ changes as models evolve. Be that as it may, I will see how the solterra evolves too plus keep an eye out for new Subaru EV offerings. Thank you once again

[@russpaulin4166]

8 months in, the Solterra has been an excellent choice for us. Although we have an ICE car (an outback), we use the Solterra for 90% of our driving in the area. Planet has been great to work with.

[@PlanetSubaruBoston]

Thanks Russ, and you've been a joy too! The ICE + EV formula is the one that seems to be working great for our customers and for the team members who bought/leased one.

[@madlucio70]

The auto hold function is not only for hills, but also allows you to lift your foot off the brake even on flat ground at stop lights. Love this function in the city! For the regenerative braking options, the paddles are fantastic! It is best to increase the resistance coming up to lights and / or complete stops. I find that alternating between 1,2 and 3 on the paddles works in most situations and maxing it out when I know that I have to come to a full stop. Incredible vehicle. The lane centering feature is really nice in the Solterra. It will definitely keep the vehicle in the lane around turns and does not yank the steering in an awkward way.

[@PlanetSubaruBoston]

Preach. Good comments all.

[@simonpetrus1981]

Thanks for the AWSOME review of the Solterra🚗✅👍🏻.

[@PlanetSubaruBoston]

Thanks we don't throw the ultimate word around lightly. ;--)

[@Deetroiter]

What a lineup! I have a 2020 Crosstrek limited that is my first Subaru and I honestly drive it more than my model 3. Crosstrek might be slower but it just has everything I could want in it…nice cruising feel with soft suspension that deals with ruts and potholes well, leather seats, moon roof, Harmon kardon sound system, satellite radio, etc. don’t get me wrong, the model 3 is might fine car in its own right but I just enjoy the Crosstrek more. Hoping one day to add an outback wildnerness as a replacement to the Crosstrek. Fantastic video and well explained! Thanks!

[@PlanetSubaruBoston]

Thanks, gosh at over twenty minutes if this video doesn't get the job done then it will take a feature film!

[@ElmerEDavis]

Great comprehensive review. Thanks! I hope Subaru makes actual one pedal driving an option someday and gets rid of the annoying in cabin beeps when reversing.

[@PlanetSubaruBoston]

If it makes you feel any better, modern Ferraris beep in reverse too. #goodcompany We dealers can use our shop laptops to turn that off.

[@paulholterhaus7084]

@@PlanetSubaruBoston The Dealer where I bought My Touring Forester told Me He could not turn off the annoying features and Mine has toooo many of them

[@PlanetSubaruBoston]

@@paulholterhaus7084 in the back of the owners manual, there is a chart that shows all of the features that can be changed by the owner or the dealer.

[@alcyone7thstar]

Would you say that the battery package is better protected in the Solterra than in other EVs? I mean, being promoted as capable of light offroading, it should be..

[@PlanetSubaruBoston]

We haven't seen any official publishing on this point. Just like with an ICE vehicle you definitely want to avoid insults from sharp terrain. Serious off-roaders would be better served with a vehicle designed specifically for abusive conditions, like a Jeep Wrangler...

[@gillesroy1234]

Is The AWD system the same as on the Toyota Bz4x?

[@PlanetSubaruBoston]

If there are any differences, there manufacturers don't make it easy to find out. A trivium: The Bz4x is the only Toyota with X-Mode, the low-speed traction software, because that's a Subaru signature system that they both share. There are other important distinctions between the cars, though--for example, only Solterra gets the "S-Pedal" one-pedal driving mode...

[@l...]

Why they don’t upload the user manual in the car + smartphones

[@PlanetSubaruBoston]

It's a great idea...we did it for you here at the following site. Just search it up! www.planetsubaru.com/subaru-owners-manual.htm

[@Lhaffinatu]

I was able to download the user manual from Subaru back in early January 2023. It took a little searching, but the PDF IS available from them.

[@patrick7228]

Can you take this through an automatic car wash? Including undercarriage wash?

[@PlanetSubaruBoston]

If you can take it off road (which you can) then it can definitely handle a car wash. You would want to be careful with high pressure wands, just as you would with any gas car.

[@michaelgoble8200]

That’s like asking if you can drive it on a rainy day. Of course you can.

[@winghosamLeung-ff3bu]

if I was out of town for two - three months, Solterra will be idle, how to protect the electricity will in the EV.

[@PlanetSubaruBoston]

We haven't left one that long without using it, but the battery doesn't lose any noticeable amount of charge after a couple weeks anyway...

[@denissh3955]

i was looking to get one , but Model Y is 7K less now ...

[@PlanetSubaruBoston]

If you lease, the Solterra is eligible for the $7,500 rebate because of the fine print in the new regulations.

[@denissh3955]

@@PlanetSubaruBoston do you have link to irs gov ? all i see for NEW and used but not for lease , for used they list 2019, 2020, 2021 Subaru Crosstrek Plug-In Hybrid And commnet (The federal tax credit does not apply to those leasing electric vehicles)

[@z1az285]

​@@PlanetSubaruBostonthank you for this information