Yet another familiar car brand has joined the EV ranks. It’s Subaru with the 2023 Solterra SUV; and we’re just back from a California Quick Spin First Drive.     

Subaru has partnered with Toyota for this venture, with the Solterra differing from its bZ4X platform-mate in some significant ways.  It has a higher 8.3-inches of ground clearance giving it better approach and departure angles, plus standard X-Mode all-wheel-drive, heated seats, LED headlights, and steering wheel mounted paddles for adjusting regen braking.  

It’s longer, lower, and wider than a Forester; and they were able to keep the look rugged while optimizing aero with front fender air curtains, side diffusers, split roof spoiler, underbody treatments, and unique wheels.  

The dual motors output 215-horsepower, with the 72-kWh battery delivering up to 228-miles of range.  

BRIAN ROBINSON: "So, somehow Subaru was able to create an entirely all-new electric vehicle and yet somehow it feels exactly like a Subaru. Which is a great thing. It’s quiet, it’s comfortable, it’s very capable, and evena little bit of fun." 

 There’s a big 12.3-inch touchscreen in front of the dash, of course, but all of the driver-enabled adjustments get actual buttons and switches on the console.  While the digital gauge display is mounted very high on the dash, so you’re looking over the steering wheel not through it for information.

Lots of room inside for passengers both up front and in back; seats more comfortable than the average Subaru. Cloth seating is standard, Startex an option.  

2023 Subaru Solterra pricing starts around $45,000; plus, it comes with 10 days of free use of another Subaru for enabling longer road trips.  Deliveries are scheduled to begin this summer.