14850 Magazine recently had the opportunity to drive the 2024 model of the Subaru Solterra Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV). This car is the result of a partnership with Toyota, with Subaru providing the four-wheel drive knowhow, and Toyota providing the design, engineering, and EV drivetrain that is used in other Toyota vehicles. Toyota also sells a variant of this vehicle called the bZ4X, which has some different trim options, and notably includes a two-wheel drive version which lowers cost and raises range — but at the expense of traction.
The Solterra (Limited trim) on paper has some impressive specs for a sub $50k car. It has up to 224 miles of full electric range, goes 0-60 in 5.9 seconds, and boasts an impressive 9 inches of ground clearance since it doesn’t have an exhaust system underneath. The car includes a wide variety of safety features including adaptive cruise control, automatic lane keeping and braking, blind spot monitoring, low speed 360° top view, auto high beam, and rain-sensitive intermittent wipers. The front and rear cameras both have cross traffic alerts, there are a variety of airbags, stability and traction control. There are pedestrian warnings when opening the door, rear seat occupancy alerts, and a driver attention warning system. Also included is a low-speed fully automatic driving feature (for driving in bumper to bumper traffic), but we were unable to test this feature as it is only active on certain major roads such as interstates.
For comfort, there are all the features you would expect to brave the Ithaca winters. Heated front seats, rear seats, steering wheel, and defrosters on the rear window, side mirrors (which automatically fold in), and front wipers. The seat material is a very soft and comfortable animal-free StarTex polyurethane, which is a synthetic plastic made of 25% recycled material, which you might recognize as “PET” from plastic water bottles. Both front seats are power-adjustable, with the drivers seat having a memory function which can recognize driver faces and adjust accordingly. The center console boasts a widescreen 12.3-inch touchscreen for a variety of vehicle functions including wireless CarPlay and Android Auto, plus a wireless charging compartment in the bridge-style center console, but air conditioner controls all still feature actual buttons which makes it easier to adjust by feel, as opposed to the Teslas which have them accessible via touchscreen menus only. Another nice upgrade from the Tesla is that there is an actual speedometer cluster in front of the driver, which has all warning and indicator lights, and can also segment to show other information such as car status, music playing, and GPS navigation.
Solterra app by Subaru to remotely control some features
Additionally there is an app you can download that will give you access to some handy features, including remote start via Internet so it has virtually infinite range. The point of this is that you can set the HVAC controls on startup so the cabin is pre-conditioned when you enter. A digital key feature is also included so you can drive the car without even having the keys, just by using your phone! The app also enables realtime charging status information, and notifications such as reminders if you’ve left your doors or windows open or unlocked, and a notification when charging has reached 100%. New Solterras (and bZ4X vehicles via the Toyota app) include a year subscription to the connected services necessary for this to work, and after that there is a monthly subscription charge, which at the moment is $8.
Interior – Photo Courtesy of Subaru America
There are some omissions which may surprise drivers. There is no glove box, instead just a pretty regular sized closing center console, with some additional storage underneath the “bridge” that holds the shift lever and other vehicle controls. There is also no rear wiper, ostensibly to make it more aerodynamic. Subaru claims that the rear spoiler will direct wind to clear the rear window, but we’ve had mixed results with this. As with many other full and hybrid EVs, there is no room for a spare tire, instead opting for a tire repair kit with a puncture sealer and compressed air to inflate the tire. This car also does not have a “frunk” for storage in the front, as the space is taken up by the 12v battery, front drive motor, and the heat pump HVAC system.
Thanks to the weight of the low-mounted battery, the car has a very low center of gravity and has outstanding handling. It feels solid on the road, and even sudden turns feel under control. The practically instant torque from the dual electric motors (one in front and one at the back) provides instant traction on Ithaca’s hills, and there is no shifting lag that people will be accustomed to when transitioning from going downhill to uphill as a number of area roads do. Another nice bonus for our many downhills is the regenerative braking with paddle shifters and four levels of resistance. It’s easy using these to set a comfortable descent speed without having to use the brake pads, and the car actually charges as a result. More range and fewer brake jobs (not to mention no oil changes) are some of the best reasons to drive an EV in Ithaca.
Based on NYSEG residential rates, if you can charge at home, you will pay around $10 for 224 miles of range. The Solterra can gain 50 miles of range overnight on a Level 1 charger (regular household plug), and the full 224 mile range with a Level 2 220v unit. Charging at a supercharger (like the ones behind the Holiday Inn Express in Ithaca’s southwest) will take 31 minutes to go from a 20% charge to an 80% charge, which is the highest percentage Subaru recommends you charge to on DC 440 volt chargers.
When reviewed in the mainstream auto press, the Solterra and bZX4 did not fare well primarily due to range issues. But the fact is, not everyone needs hundreds of miles of range for commuting and driving around town. While this is not the most capable vehicle for longer road trips, it is possible (we took it to Erie and Philadelphia PA with little trouble finding chargers with the PlugShare app), and it is one of the best daily drivers for families who have another vehicle for longer road trips. Because even foreign-made cars qualify for tax rebates if they are leased, we’ve seen leasing prices for the 2WD Toyota version at less than $200 a month, with the AWD Subaru averaging just over $300. For many people who drive 10-12 thousand miles a year, this is a great way to pay less for gas and maintenance, while driving a car which is under warranty the entire time you have it. And undoubtedly there will be even better battery technology and choices in 2-3 years. We recommend giving this car a try, if you can find one. There weren’t a lot made, so they are somewhat rare.
Read the 14850 Magazine Series: Drive Electric Week in Ithaca
If you already have any kind of EV or are interested in getting one, join the Facebook group “ Ithaca/Tompkins EV & Hybrids Enthusiasts ” to discuss with other locals.
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