Subaru Solterra electric AWD SUV spotted ahead of Australia launch

A Kia EV6 owner has spotted an electric Subaru Solterra at Cooma ahead of the impending launch of the 4WD EV in Australia.

Daryl Waldock shared the images in a Kia EV6 owner’s group on Facebook on Wednesday, commenting that he “found this rare specimen at Cooma today. One of only 2 Subaru Solterras in Australia.”

While he admits he is still partial to his own EV6, he also shared that the Solterra – a twin to the Toyota bZ4X – was in the NSW highlands to be filmed for a TV promotion.

Waldock notes the vehicle was not charging, as it had just finished, and staff were chatting with him before moving the vehicle. As well as a side-on shot of the Solterra, he has also provided a photo of it alongside his Kia EV6 (albeit on an oblique angle.)

A spokesperson for Subaru Australia has confirmed the vehicle is an “overseas pre-production example.”

“More information regarding anticipated timings and Australian specification will be revealed in due course,” they said.

Subaru Solterra announced in May that the Solterra will be launched in Australia in 2023.

The Solterra appears similar to the bZ4X, but it gets a few distinctive stylistic elements to avoid being confused with Toyota’s EV.

The enclosed grille, for instance, is hexagonal in design and has the Pleiades star cluster insignia, while the headlamps have a C-shaped characteristic daytime running light.

The Solterra is slightly larger than the C-segment Forester in terms of dimensions, measuring 4,690 mm long, 1,860 mm wide, and 1,650 mm tall, with a wheelbase of 2,850 mm. The current Forester is 4,640 mm long, 1,815 mm wide, 1,730 mm height, and has a 2,670 mm wheelbase.

Subaru says the Solterra has market-leading 210mm ground clearance, and a turning radius of 5.7 metres. The chassis is equipped with MacPherson struts in the front and double wishbones in the back.

Meanwhile, the bumper – again like the bZ4X -has vertical intakes at the corners. However, the Solterra’s version adds fog lamp units surrounding the bottom intake.

Both variants have the same surfacing along the sides, with different crease lines just below the beltline and aft of the rear wheels.

On that note, the wheel arches have black body cladding, with the front ones extending further forwards into the bumper.

Two charge ports, but the positioning?

Waldock also noted that the Solterra has two charge ports. According to Malaysian automotive site Paul Tan, it is understood that in Japan, the Solterra uses a Type 1 (SAE J1772) connector for AC charging, while a CHAdeMO connector is for DC fast charging.

Whether or not this means the Solterra will be able to utilise vehicle-to-grid (V2G) or vehicle-to-home (V2H) bidirectional charging is yet to be confirmed. The Driven has reached out to Subaru for confirmation.

Waldock, however, thinks there will be some trouble for Solterra customers at charging stations. This is in line with the positioning of the Porsche Taycan charger, which we have also found has difficulties at certain charging stations with shorter cables because of the A-pillar positioning.

“Both are well behind the front wheels and I know already a few chargers where the charge cable won’t reach!” said Waldock.