The Subaru Solterra, which was the brand’s first fully electric vehicle (EV), is refreshed for the 2026 model year with styling, performance, and feature updates. The Solterra’s competitors in the EV crossover space include the related Toyota bZ4X as well as the Ford Mustang Mach-E and the Chevrolet Equinox EV.
2026 Subaru Solterra Pricing, Specs, and Release Date
- What’s New for the 2026 Subaru Solterra
- Design
- Powertrain
- Interior
- Technology
- Safety
- Pricing and Release Date
- Further Research
What’s New for the 2026 Subaru Solterra
The Solterra has seen few updates since its 2023 launch, which is an eternity in the super-competitive EV market. With this refresh, it gets key tweaks to its performance and efficiency, infotainment system, and safety feature set, while also adding some fresh styling touches. These updates help the Solterra keep pace not just with the competition, but with the all-new Subaru Trailseeker, set to go on sale in 2026, to establish a small but comprehensive Subaru EV family.
Design
The 2026 Solterra marks an opportunity for Subaru to establish an EV brand identity, with a new lighting signature shared with the all-new Trailseeker EV. This look incorporates distinctive front and rear lighting as well as an illuminated front badge. The Solterra also gets an updated rear with new badging and a new spoiler. Available 18- and 20-inch wheel designs, new for 2026, add visual interest, and the Solterra is available with color-matched front fenders and two-tone color schemes. Finally, the Solterra’s class-leading ground clearance of 8.3 inches is both visually appealing and practical for its off-road capability.
Powertrain
The Solterra gets an updated powertrain for 2026, combining two electric motors and a 74.7-kWh lithium-ion battery pack, good for up to 285 miles of range. That’s a significant improvement, more than 25 percent, compared to the old Solterra, which lagged the competition in this area. The powertrain benefits from a new battery preconditioning system that makes charging more efficient, and the Solterra now features a standard NACS port for Tesla Supercharger compatibility. Horsepower also increases, to 233 hp, and a new Solterra XT checks in at 338 hp. All-wheel drive (AWD), a Subaru signature, comes standard, with updated motor management for better traction and standard selectable drive modes that include snow/dirt and deep snow/mud settings. Finally, the suspension and steering are more responsive thanks to updated tuning.
Interior
The Solterra’s key interior features carry over, though updates are focused on driver and passenger comfort. The electric crossover features five seats across its two rows, and it has a welcoming aesthetic thanks to its low beltline, which lets in plenty of light, and its low main touchscreen, which enables great views ahead without distractions.
Technology
The 2026 Solterra’s overhaul includes Subaru’s latest infotainment system, which features a 14-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration. The driver and front passenger each get a wireless charger, while rear passengers get USB-C fast chargers. Subaru will disclose more details about the Solterra’s standard and optional tech features closer to its on-sale date.
Safety
Standard safety features come bundled in Subaru’s EyeSight package. This includes technology such as a surround-view camera, advanced adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, lane-departure warning, and lane-change assist. An emergency stop assist system also comes standard and is capable of moving the vehicle to safety and alerting emergency services if the driver becomes unresponsive. The 2026 Subaru Solterra has not yet been evaluated by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) or the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) for crash-test ratings.
Pricing and Release Date
The refreshed 2026 Subaru Solterra EV crossover is not yet available, but it will go on sale in late 2025 at Subaru dealerships across the country. Though trim levels, pricing, and some specifications have not been announced as of this writing, more information will be available closer to the Solterra’s on-sale date.