Subaru Solterra Review and First drive
The new Subaru Solterra has finally plugged itself into little old New Zealand, and it’s about time. Subaru’s all-electric, all-wheel-drive family wagon comes in two flavours: the “that’ll do nicely” version at $80k and the Touring at $85k with the flash bits. Both pack 160kW front and rear (that’s 337Nm of shove) and promise up to 485km per charge — or as I like to call it, “Auckland to Wellington if you behave yourself.” It’ll do 0–100 in 6.9 seconds, which isn’t hypercar territory, but it’s brisk enough to surprise Uncle Dave in his diesel ute. And if you’re on a decent power plan, you’re looking at about twelve bucks for a full charge. Twelve. That’s less than a round of flat whites.
On the road, the Solterra is less boy-racer, more grown-up gumboots. It’s comfy, refined, and rides our lumpy Kiwi tarmac better than some posh European EVs that cost the GDP of a small island nation. There’s heaps of headroom, a generous 441L boot (unless you sacrifice a smidge for the Harmon Kardon speakers), heated seats front and rear, and a panoramic roof for when the sun actually shows up. No frunk though — your potatoes are riding in the back. Styling? Chunky. Girthy, even. Like it’s been doing deadlifts. But it grows on you. This isn’t chasing the Tesla crowd; it’s for normal humans who want buttons, comfort, and Subaru sure-footedness without learning a new operating system. In short: it’s sensible, solid, and surprisingly charming. It’s a proper electric Subaru, even if you’re still not sure how to pronounce it.
