Breaking news timeline:
4/25/22
2/6/22
Subaru opened an online reservation system for customers with a $250 refundable deposit. Most of Subaru's retailers filled their reservations within a few days. Subaru gave fifteen reservations to Planet, and they were taken in four minutes of the system opening. We have more people on our waiting list, so we are sold out through the end of the 2022 calendar year. Although we can't speak with certainty for other retailers, at this point we think the entirety of Subaru's production for the rest of the year is more or less committed to customers who have already raised their hands.
We expect Subaru to produce fewer than 10,000 Solterras for the entire calendar year 2022. For comparison, Subaru has typically sold between 600,000 and 700,000 vehicles in the United States annually in recent years. So the Solterra is going to be a very hot ticket. There
are many people eager for the Solterra, with frothy enthusiasm among
Subaru faithful who have been waiting for a battery electric vehicle. Expect demand to
substantially outstrip supply for at least the first model year, well into the 2023
calendar year. We expect supplies of the 2024 model to increase.Â
FAQ's about the vehicle:
- When does the first 2023 Solterra, Subaru's first-ever battery-electric vehicle, arrive at Planet Subaru? June or July of 2022.
- Where did the name Solterra come from? It combines the Latin words for
"Sun" and "Earth."Â
- Range? approximately 220 miles.
- Power? 1.21 gigawatts. Not really. There is in fact an 80kw motor at each axle, with a combined 215 horsepower, that will zip you to 62mph in 7.7 seconds.
- Size? It's about as big as a Forester.
- Is it all wheel drive? Yes, Subaru's legendary Symmetrical All Wheel Drive is standard, and X-mode is also standard (activated with a switch, X-mode is a low-range "gearing" for serious traction).
- Can I take it off road? Yes! It's a Subaru through and through, and with 8.3" of ground clearance it's designed to go where you would take any other Subaru.
- Can I get Subaru's popular StarTex animal- and earth-friendly seating surfaces? Yes, if you choose the Limited or Touring trim levels (scroll down to see the model range).Â
- How much does each model cost?Â
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Specifications | 2023 Solterra |
EV Range (estimated miles) |
More than 220 |
Horsepower |
215 |
Torque (lb.-ft.) |
248 |
Passenger volume (cu.ft) |
95.7 |
Cargo volume upper/lower cargo floor position (cu.ft.) |
27.7/ 30.3 |
Cargo volume from lower row (cu.ft.) |
30.3 |
Total passenger & cargo volume (cu.ft.) |
126 |
Rear cargo opening width (in.) |
41.3 |
Wheelbase (in.) |
112.2 |
Length (in.) |
184.6 |
Width (in.) |
73.2 |
Height (in.) |
65.0 |
Seating Capacity |
5 passenger |
Ground clearance (in.) | 8.3 |