Overview
Subaru is an automotive manufacturing division of the Japanese conglomerate, Subaru Corporation. Though the Subaru brand is not extensively known in the UK and other western European markets, the car manufacturer has developed a niche following of customers, keen on the Subaru signature engine, drivetrain and four-wheel drive capability.
The name Subaru is derived from the M45 star cluster, more commonly known as Pleiades or the Seven Sisters. In Japanese, the name for Pleiades is Subaru. In fact, the automotive manufacturers logo incorporates the Seven Sisters, with the seventh star invisible to reflect the seventh star, which according to tradition is invisible.
Even though the Solterra is the first battery-electric vehicle (BEV) from Subaru, the company has been involved with electric vehicles (EVs) since 2006, the year Subaru launched the Stella Plug-in electric vehicle. Subaru has also been testing two other electric cars to include, Subaru G4e and the Subaru R1e.
Subaru is also involved with a number of other initiatives in regards to electric driving. The company also sells a number of self-charging hybrid vehicles.
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For those of you new to zero-emission electric driving, we recommend a read of the following articles:
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The Subaru Solterra Electric SUV
If at first glance the all-electric Subaru Solterra SUV looks familiar, there is a good reason. The EV has been developed in partnership with the Japanese automotive manufacturer, Toyota, that markets the electric vehicle as the Toyota bZ4X electric SUV. Both manufacturers share the same electric architecture platform.
The Solterra is the first pure electric vehicle from Subaru. The electric SUV made its debut at the Los Angeles Auto Show in 2021. The name Solterra is derived from the Latin words for ‘Sun’ and ‘Earth’. The design for the e-SUV has been evolved from the Subaru Dynamic X Solid design concept. The EV is built using the company’s first all-electric architecture, the Subaru e-Global Platform.
The EV is available in one EV battery size: 71.4 kWh. Subaru claims a WLTP certified zero-emission electric range up to 289 miles. Of course, the real-world EV range will be lower than the quoted range. For those new to electric driving, EV range is impacted by a number of factors.
Some include: weather, road condition, payload, speed, tyre size, onboard services used etc. For the Solterra SUV, expect a real-world e-range closer to 245 miles. A very practical range for short and long distance trips.
The e-SUV incorporates DC rapid charging capability up to 150 kW. The EV can be charged 10%-80% in 30 minutes. The EV has a 7 kW AC onboard charger. Convenient for us living in the UK, as most homes in the UK are powered by single-phase power supply. The EV can be fully charged via a dedicated single-phase residential EV charger, like myenergi zappi in 9 hours and 30 minutes.
Yes, the EV can be charged via a 3-PIN domestic socket. However, we at e-zoomed discourage using a domestic socket for charging an electric car. We also recommend a topping up approach to EV charging. This way charging times are shorter! Moreover, regular charging is good for the long-term maintenance of the onboard EV battery. Subaru offers a 8 years or 100,000 miles EV battery warranty.
The Solterra electric SUV offers four-wheel drive as standard. The EV has a 80 kW motor in the front and also at the rear. Both deliver a combined torque up to 336 Nm (max power: 218 PS). The electric SUV can achieve 0-62 mph in 6.9 seconds and has a maximum speed up to 100 mph.
The EV incorporates the upgraded version of the X-MODE AWD system. Solterra electric has three drive modes: Eco, Normal and Power. The Power mode is for higher performance, while the Eco mode reduces power and improves the electric range.
In terms of equipment and technology, Subaru has been keen to emphasis its legacy in terms of safety. The EV incorporates the ‘Subaru Safety Sense’, which includes the following driver assistance and collision avoidance technology as standard: safe exit assist, reverse automatic braking, 360-degree panoramic monitors, pre-collision braking and more.
The electric SUV has a 12.3″ touchscreen infotainment system. Also worth noting that the EV incorporates a heat pump as standard. The heat pump captures heat from other parts of the vehicle to be reused, for example, for heating the cabin. This reduces the use of the onboard EV battery and increases the efficiency of the EV.
In terms of practicality, the pure electric family SUV offers ample headroom and legroom for all passengers (front and rear). Like most pure electric cars, the EV battery is placed below the floor of the vehicle, resulting in more cabin space, and of course, a lower centre of gravity for the EV. The electric car offers a decent boot size up to 452 L. The EV has a towing capacity (Braked) up to 750 kg.
Company-car drivers can take advantage of the lower Benefit-in-Kind (BiK-2%) tax rate for pure electric cars. Bottom-line, electric driving is good for the environment and the wallet. You can lease electric cars via e-zoomed at fantastic prices.
| PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
| Good electric range | Cheaper alternatives available |
| All-wheel drive (AWD) as standard | 3-phase AC charging not available |
| Practical interior space | Available in only one EV battery size |
Gallery
The All-Electric Subaru Solterra SUV (credit: Subaru)
| At A Glance | |
|---|---|
| EV Type: | Battery-Electric Vehicle (BEV) |
| Body Type: | SUV |
| Plug-In Car Grant (PiCG): | Not Available |
| Engine: | Electric |
| Available In UK: | Yes |
| Variants (2 Options) |
|---|
| Subaru Solterra Limited (from £49,995) |
| Subaru Solterra Touring (from £52,995) |
| EV Battery & Emissions | |
|---|---|
| EV Battery Type: | Lithium-ion |
| EV Battery Capacity: | Available in one battery size: 71.4 kWh |
| Charging: | 150 kW DC Charging (10%-80%: 30 mins). Onboard Charger: 7 kW AC (0% – 100%: 9.5 hours) |
| Charge Port: | Type 2 |
| EV Cable Type: | Type 2 |
| Tailpipe Emissions: | 0g (CO2/km) |
| EV Battery Warranty: | 8 years or 100,000 miles |
| Average Cost Of Residential Charging | |
|---|---|
| Battery net capacity : 8.8 kWh | £1.27 |
| Battery net capacity : 11.6 kWh | £1.67 |
| Battery net capacity : 12.0 kWh | £1.73 |
| Battery net capacity : 13.10 kWh | £1.89 |
| Battery net capacity : 14.10 kWh | £2.03 |
- Note 1: The average cost of residential electricity in the UK varies depending on the region, supplier and type of energy used. An average for the UK is 14.40 p/kWh.
- Note 2: Not all EV manufactures make available the data on net EV battery capacity, and in a number of instances the EV battery capacity advertised, does not state if it is gross or net capacity. In general, usable EV battery capacity is between 85% to 95% of the gross available capacity.
| Charging Times (Overview) | |
|---|---|
| Slow charging AC (3 kW – 3.6 kW): | 6 – 12 hours (dependent on size of EV battery & SOC) |
| Fast charging AC (7 kW – 22 kW): | 3 – 8 hours (dependent on size of EV battery & SoC) |
| Rapid charging AC (43 kW): | 0-80%: 20 mins to 60 mins (dependent on size of EV battery & SoC) |
- Note 1: SoC: state of charge
| Dimensions | |
|---|---|
| Height (mm): | 1650 |
| Width (mm): | 1860 |
| Length (mm): | 4690 |
| Wheelbase (mm): | 2850 |
| Turning Circle (m): | 11.2 |
| Boot Space (L): | 452 |
| Solterra | |
|---|---|
| EV Battery Capacity: | 71.4 kWh |
| Pure Electric Range (WLTP): | 257 – 289 miles |
| Electric Energy Consumption (kW/km): | 161 – 180 |
| Charging: | 150 kW DC Charging (10%-80%: 30 mins). Onboard Charger: 7 kW AC (0% – 100%: 9.5 hours) |
| Top Speed: | 100 mph |
| 0-62 mph: | 6.9 seconds |
| Drive: | All-wheel drive (AWD) |
| Max Power (PS): | 218 |
| Torque (Nm): | 336 |
| Transmission: | Automatic |
| Seats: | 5 |
| Doors: | 5 |
| Kerb Weight (kg): | 2,015 – 2,040 |
| Colours: | 7 |
| NCAP Safety Rating: | Five-Star |
While e-zoomed uses reasonable efforts to provide accurate and up-to-date information, some of the information provided is gathered from third parties and has not been independently verified by e-zoomed. While the information from the third party sources is believed to be reliable, no warranty, express or implied, is made by e-zoomed regarding the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of any information. This disclaimer applies to both isolated and aggregate uses of this information.
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