The future of the automobile is electric. With the 2023 Solterra, Subaru is packing a lot of heat into the EV fray. With electrified vehicles quickly becoming more staple, the brand’s newest all-electric crossover is set to make waves in the ASEAN region. While we wait for word on when it may reach the Philippines, let’s have a look at this clean and green EV, shall we?
2023 Subaru Solterra is the brand’s first all-electric vehicle
Photo: Subaru
If you think that it may look familiar, that’s because the Solterra is another product of the collaboration between Subaru and Toyota. The latter’s offering is named the bZ4X and also runs on electric power, but we’re here to talk about the Subaru twin. That said, it’s been given a different aesthetic touch to differentiate it from the bZ.
While the overall shape of the entire front end is quite similar, the Solterra makes use of the brand’s Dynamic X Solid design concept and at its center is Subaru’s signature hexagonal grill. It gets a different set of headlights to show off the brand’s signature C-shape DRLs. It also gets foglights at the bottom portion of the bumper, making good use of what’s an empty space in its twin’s fascia.
Photo: Subaru
On its side, you’ll find fender arches that make it look more aggressive and compliments its aerodynamically sloped roofline. The taillight assemblies are also different, more notable on the glossy black center strip across the tailgate. A new set of alloy wheels have also been fitted onto the Solterra.
Photo: Subaru
A look inside and you’ll see that this crossover features a very subdued and minimalist design. Taking center stage is the 12.3-inch infotainment screen that comes standard with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, both wireless. The shifter lever has also been done away with and in its place sits a rotary dial to select your driving gear.
Photo: Subaru
As it’s meant to be a 5-seater, there’s space aplenty inside the Solterra given its ample legroom and a floor that is almost flat throughout. Cargo will not be a problem either as it boasts a 60:40 splitting backrest, 29 cubic feet of space in the trunk, and a tailgate that spans 41.3 inches across, making unloading and unloading cargo much easier.
Photo: Subaru
The ASEAN model of the Solterra is of the all-wheel drive, dual-motor kind; other markets offer a front-wheel, single-motor option. It features Subaru’s Dual-Function X Mode system which makes it capable of running through any kind of terrain easily. It also features the new e-Subaru Global Platform that has been engineered to bring together all-wheel drive capability, superior driving dynamics, and world-leading passive safety.
Safety features being mentioned, the Solterra offers a slew of systems as standard such as EyeSight driver assist technologies. This includes emergency steering assist, intersection collision avoidance support, pre-collision brake assist, lane departure prevention, and dynamic radar cruise control with lane tracing assist. But what’s new in the Solterra are the 360-Degree Panoramic View Monitor and the Safe Exit Assist. The latter is a new safety feature that notifies occupants, before exiting the vehicle, of approaching vehicles with an audible and visual warning.
Photo: Subaru
No specific powertrain information was indicated, but the dual-motor setup is said to be good for about 215 HP and 337 Nm of torque. Charging is by way of a Level 2 AC and DC Fast Charger that can juice up the Solterra to 80% in just about an hour’s worth of charging. Its range: Subaru said that the Solterra can cover up to 367 kilometers, according to their website. We do hope that it’s more than that.
Photo: Subaru
If anything, it’s about time Subaru gets onboard the electrified vehicle train. The debut of the Solterra in the ASEAN region does bode well for us in that there’s a high likelihood that it will make it to the Philippines, eventually. Again, Motor Image Pilipinas has not said anything about its local release, but we’d like to think that it will be sooner rather than later. Nothing better than beating the competition to the punch, right, Motor Image?
Subaru management,
When will you bring Subaru Rex to the Philippines? I am interested to purchase one.
Merci beacoup