Is the 2023 Subaru Solterra a new electric car you should consider? A new ranking from Consumer Reports says yes. Here are seven reasons it's one of the best picks for EV shoppers.
Why should you consider the 2023 Subaru Solterra compact SUV when looking for an electric model? A new ranking from Consumer Reports (CR) (by subscription) gives the new Solterra EV good marks and a few bad grades. Here is why and you can determine if it's a good electric vehicle for you.
Consumer Reports ten best electric cars are ranked from vehicles they have driven on road tests, have good reliability, owner surveys, and come with a full complement of advanced driver assistance and safety features as standard equipment. CR says they also score the electric car's fuel economy, range, and energy use.
CR picks the Kia EV6 as number one with a score of 91. It is followed by the BMW iX (85), Genesis GV60 (84), BMW 14 (84), Tesla Model 3 (78), Hyundai Ioniq 5 (76), Kia Niro Electric (80), Subaru Solterra (75), Toyota bZ4X (75), and Nissan Leaf (70).
What does Consumer Reports say about the Solterra?
Consumer Reports says there are seven things they like about the Solterra. "Though it isn't cheap, the Solterra drives well and uses an EV-specific platform. This frees up a lot of space for storage and passenger room in the car. Our tests showed that it has quick acceleration and agile handling."
We like that the Solterra comes standard with comprehensive driver assistance and active safety systems, including automatic emergency braking (AEB) with pedestrian detection, AEB that works at highway speeds, blind spot warning, and rear cross-traffic alert."
Solterra has limited range and slower charging.
"But its limited EPA-estimated 222-mile range is significantly less than the competition's, as is the slow rate at which it charges," says CR.
What sets the Subaru Solterra apart from the other top-ranked EVs?
The Subaru Solterra offers standard all-wheel-drive and Subaru's X-Mode for additional all-weather and all-terrain performance. Grip control is a new function added to X -Mode's snow/dirt mode. It's like super slow-speed cruise control and has five settings controlled by a toggle switch. It's best used on steep, slippery hills. However, Subaru says inexperienced drivers will feel safe in the new Solterra EV on the most challenging road surfaces.
What is the price of the 2023 Solterra?
The 2023 Solterra has three trim levels, Premium, Limited, and Touring. Pricing for the Solterra Premium trim level starts at $46,615. The Limited trim carries a starting manufacturer's suggested retail price of $50,115. The top-of-the-line Touring trim is priced at $54,110. Prices include destination and delivery fees ($1,225).
Customers looking for an electric SUV with standard all-wheel-drive have many options. The 2023 Subaru Solterra is now ranked among the ten best electric cars by Consumer Reports for EV shoppers.
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Denis Flierl brings over thirty years of combined auto industry and automotive journalism experience to Torque News readers. He is an accredited Rocky Mountain Automotive Press (RMAP) member. The last twelve years have been spent with Torque News, covering Subaru vehicles and the latest news. Check back daily for his expert Subaru analysis. You'll find the latest stories on the Torque News Subaru page. Follow Denis on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
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