The Subaru Solterra – the brand’s first electric SUV – will arrive in Australia in 2023, the Japanese carmaker has confirmed.
The Solterra sits on the same electric powertrain platform to Toyota’s bZ4X, and with a ground clearance of 210mm will be one of the few high-set electric SUVs in Australia suitable for off-road terrain.
Subaru has not specified exactly when in 2023 the Solterra will arrive, and the Australian specifications are also not yet confirmed. When asked about local tow capacity ratings, a spokesperson got Subaru said more information will be provided closer to launch.
The Japanese specs include a 71.4kWh battery on a 355-volt architecture with a maximum charge speed of 150kW. AC charging is quite slow at 6.6kW, but sufficient for at-home charging if topping up on a day to day basis.
The driving range is put at 460km based on the Japanese WLTA cycle, and is estimated at around 350km in real-world driving conditions.
It will dual motors on the front and rear axles, and a maximum power output of 160kW. Subaru did not specify torque in its release, but overseas specs state 336Nm. An “X-mode” AWD drive system with grip control function, brake vectoring and power distribution are aimed at off-road handling.
At 1,940mm long and 1,515mm wide in the cabin, the Solterra is a 4,690mm long and 1,860mm wide externally. It is 1,650mm high, and battery packs under the floor will, as with other EVs, assist with stability in handling.
The Solterra is available with either a closed-in roof with integrated solar panels to augment auxiliary power systems, or with a panoramic glass roof.
Inside, Subaru describes the focus of the cockpit design on visibility, simplicity and ease of use.
Blair Read, MD for Subaru Australia, said the company is “excited to confirm Subaru Australia will continue its electrification journey with the introduction of our first battery-electric vehicle, the Solterra, in 2023.”
“Solterra starts a new era for Subaru by combining electric vehicle technology with Symmetrical All Wheel Drive. This delivers the all-terrain capability Subaru owners have enjoyed for decades.”
Local pricing and specifications will be released closer to launch date.
Specifications (Japan):
| AWD Model | ||
| Length × Width × Height (mm) | 4,690 × 1,860 × 1,650 | |
| Cabin length (mm) | 1,940 | |
| Cabin width (mm) | 1,515 | |
| Cabin height (mm) | 1,160 (normal / solar roof) 1,145 (glass roof) |
|
| Seating capacity | 5 | |
| Wheelbase (mm) | 2,850 | |
| Minimum turning radius (m) | 5.7 | |
| Minimum ground clearance (mm) | 210 | |
| Vehicle weight (kg) | 2,020 ~ | |
| Gross vehicle weight (kg) | 2,295 ~ | |
| Cruising range per charge (WLTC, Japan standard) (km) | Approx. 460 | |
| Motor | Type | AC synchronous electric motor |
| Maximum output (front motor) (kW) | 80 | |
| Maximum output (rear motor) (kW) | 80 | |
| Maximum output (system) (kW) | 160 | |
| Main drive battery | Type | Lithium-ion battery |
| Total power (kWh) | 71.4 | |
| Total voltage (V) | 355 | |
| AC charger maximum output (kW) | 6.6 | |
| DC charging maximum output (kW) | 150 | |
| Steering | Rack Assist Type Electric Power Steering (EPS) | |
| Suspension (Front / Rear) | Strut-type coil spring / Double wishbone-type coil spring | |
| Brakes (Front / Rear) | Ventilated disc / Ventilated disc | |
| Driveline | All-wheel drive | |
| Wheel | 18 inch 20 inch |
|
| Tyre | 235/60R18 235/50R20 |
|
This article has been updated with information that there is no local towing capacity rating for the Solterra as yet.
Bridie Schmidt is associate editor for The Driven, sister site of Renew Economy. She has been writing about electric vehicles since 2018, and has a keen interest in the role that zero-emissions transport has to play in sustainability. She has participated in podcasts such as Download This Show with Marc Fennell and Shirtloads of Science with Karl Kruszelnicki and is co-organiser of the Northern Rivers Electric Vehicle Forum. Bridie also owns a Tesla Model 3 and has it available for hire on evee.com.au.