---
title: "2023 Subaru Solterra EV: AWD, Off-Road Drive Modes, and 220-Mile Range"
description: "It's a twin to Toyota's bZ4X electric crossover."
date: "2021-11-17"
modified: "2021-11-17"
authors:
  - name: "Chris Tsui"
    job_title: "Contributor"
    link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/chris-tsui"
url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/43135/2023-subaru-solterra-ev-awd-off-road-drive-modes-and-220-mile-range"
categories:
  - "Car Tech"
  - "Electric Vehicles"
  - "News"
  - "News by Brand"
  - "Toyota News"
tags:
  - "compact"
  - "Electric Vehicle"
  - "Solterra"
  - "Subaru"
  - "suv/crossover"
---

# 2023 Subaru Solterra EV: AWD, Off-Road Drive Modes, and 220-Mile Range

![](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/images-by-url-td/content/2021/11/Solterra-6.jpg>)
*\<em\>www.thedrive.com\</em\>*

We already saw the [Japanese-market version](<https://www.thedrive.com/tech/43093/the-2023-subaru-solterra-is-the-first-ever-subaru-ev>) of this car last week but making its official debut at the Los Angeles Auto Show is the U.S.-spec 2023 Subaru Solterra. It's the brand's first-ever electric car and, as you might remember, the twin to [Toyota's bZ4X](<https://www.thedrive.com/news/42923/toyota-bz4x-310-miles-of-electric-range-and-a-yoke-steering-wheel>).

Essentially, it'll be to the bZ4X what the [BRZ is to the GR86](<https://www.thedrive.com/new-cars/42133/how-the-2022-subaru-brz-differs-from-the-toyota-gr-86>). It sports slightly different styling but much of the same hardware underneath. That's not to say it's a total copycat, though.

![message-editor%2F1636994599744-solterra1.jpg](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/content-b/message-editor/1636994599744-solterra1.jpg>)
*Subaru*

![message-editor%2F1636994609368-solterra8.jpg](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/content-b/message-editor/1636994609368-solterra8.jpg>)
*Subaru*

![message-editor%2F1636994618618-solterra2.jpg](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/content-b/message-editor/1636994618618-solterra2.jpg>)
*Subaru*

![message-editor%2F1636994624935-solterra3.jpg](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/content-b/message-editor/1636994624935-solterra3.jpg>)
*Subaru*

![message-editor%2F1636994629652-solterra7.jpg](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/content-b/message-editor/1636994629652-solterra7.jpg>)
*Subaru*

As for the Solterra's key EV metrics, Subaru is, for the moment, remaining relatively vague. Official EPA numbers will understandably have to wait until a later date but the automaker is "estimating" 220-plus miles of range out of the car's lithium-ion battery. Level 3 DC fast charging is, of course, supported with Subie claiming "significant charge in under an hour."

While the Japanese Solterra can be had with all- or front-wheel drive, the American-market car will come standard and exclusively with symmetrical all-wheel drive. It even has X-Mode, hill ascent, and descent assists just like other [off-road-ready Subaru crossovers](<https://www.thedrive.com/new-cars/42774/2022-subaru-forester-wilderness-first-drive-review-an-off-roadable-daily>). Ground clearance stands at 8.3 inches—0.4 inches less than a regular, non-Wilderness Outback—while dual electric motors produce a total of 215 horsepower and 248 pound-feet of torque.

![message-editor%2F1636994656385-solterra15.jpg](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/content-b/message-editor/1636994656385-solterra15.jpg>)
*Subaru*

![message-editor%2F1636994663335-solterra4.jpg](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/content-b/message-editor/1636994663335-solterra4.jpg>)
*Subaru*

![message-editor%2F1636994675955-solterra9.jpg](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/content-b/message-editor/1636994675955-solterra9.jpg>)
*Subaru*

![message-editor%2F1636994682251-solterra5.jpg](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/content-b/message-editor/1636994682251-solterra5.jpg>)
*Subaru*

![message-editor%2F1636994748702-solterra14.jpg](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/content-b/message-editor/1636994748702-solterra14.jpg>)
**Subaru**

On the inside, the company's e-Subaru Global Platform apparently allows for a flat floor and more interior room than you'd get in a gas car of a similar size. The rear seats fold down and the rear load floor is low for easy cargo-hauling while a new 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system runs Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Solterra is also outfitted with a healthy handful of standard active safety features such as pre-collision braking and throttle management, lane departure warning, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert.

As a Subaru-first, the Solterra's Safety Exit Alert watches for pedestrians, cars, cyclists, and other "obstacles" when Solterra occupants are about to get out and emits a visual and audible warning if it detects something. Also making its debut on a Subaru is a 360-degree camera system.

Pricing has yet to be announced but the 2023 Subaru Solterra will go on sale sometime next year.

![message-editor%2F1636994697900-solterra10.jpg](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/content-b/message-editor/1636994697900-solterra10.jpg>)
*Subaru*

![message-editor%2F1636994704350-solterra11.jpg](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/content-b/message-editor/1636994704350-solterra11.jpg>)
*Subaru*

![message-editor%2F1636994708535-solterra12.jpg](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/content-b/message-editor/1636994708535-solterra12.jpg>)
*Subaru*

![message-editor%2F1636994713067-solterra13.jpg](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/content-b/message-editor/1636994713067-solterra13.jpg>)
*Subaru*

*Got a tip or question for the author about the Subaru Solterra**? You can reach him here: chris.tsui@thedrive.com*

## Author
Chris Tsui is *The Drive*'s former Reviews Editor and current freelance automotive journalist. He's based in Toronto.

### Author social links  
[Instagram](<https://www.instagram.com/cltsuii/>)