Safety, a Subaru hallmark and one of our six criteria, is another category the Solterra performs well in; IIHS awarded it a Top Safety Pick+, making it one of the safest SUVs in our competition. Driver assistance systems are merely competent, however, and lack some of the high-tech capabilities available in other contenders.
Design changes for 2026 affect both the front and rear fascia, but none of the modifications is significant enough to help the Solterra stand out from our crowded pack of contenders. The design continues to be minimally differentiated from that of the bZ, further weakening the Solterra in our advancement in design category.
Regardless, we like the Solterra’s black and blue interior, which is far more exciting than the Toyota bZ’s all-black cabin. But the Solterra makes several ergonomic missteps; many of our judges were frustrated with the steering wheel’s low position. Making matters worse, the small driver’s display sits too high and far away for comfortable viewing.
Additionally, we noted refinement issues with the Solterra that aren’t present in the bZ. Subaru’s EV shudders over road imperfections even though body control is solid on the winding test track. Road noise and tire slap plague it at highway speeds and over choppy road surfaces. These shortcomings hold it back in terms of the engineering excellence and performance of intended function criteria.
Efficiency and value are tied together for another demerit. The EPA rates our test model at 278 miles of range, but its MotorTrend Road-Trip Range is just 206 miles. With an as-equipped price of $47,975, there are more compelling EVs for the money within the small SUV segment.
Yes, the 2026 Subaru Solterra is much improved, but it fails to push the envelope in any of the six key areas we evaluate here, especially as it only makes marginal gains on the near-identical bZ. Features editor Christian Seabaugh summed up our judges’ thoughts: “This is the vehicle Subaru should have launched. It’s finally ready for customers—just as the state of the art moves on.”
This review was conducted as part of our 2026 SUV of the Year (SUVOTY) testing, where each vehicle is evaluated on our six key criteria: efficiency, design, safety, engineering excellence, value, and performance of intended function. Eligible vehicles must be all-new or significantly revised.