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Subaru Solterra - Do Subaru make a better Toyota?
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- Опубліковано 28 лип 2024
- Not to be confused with last week's review, Bryan tries Subaru's version of the new Toyota bZ4X, the Solterra, to find out whether or not it is better, or its just the same. Both companies have been technical partner's for a few years now with their sports cars, the GT86 and BRZ, and now they have entered the EV market with these twins. But given how much talent their is in the mid-sized electric crossover/SUV space, and how disappointing we found the Toyota, can the Subaru differentiate itself enough to be the choice?
AutoEV - all electric, all independent.
0:00 - Introduction
00:56 - Titles
01:03 - Meet the car
05:04 - Practicality
09:32 - Interior
20:55 - Styling
26:21 - Usability
30:09 - Performance & Handling
41:41 - Pricing
43:14 - Competition
44:17 - Pros & Cons
45:00 - Summary
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Website: autoev.co.uk
Hi Brian I really enjoyed your thorough review of the Subaru Solterra. I have been enjoying my Solterra since last November and I agree with a lot of what you say. I have had every model of Subaru available in the UK over the years and my last model was a Forrester. One thing I don't miss is the rear wiper because the heated screen does a great job and there is also a live feed from a rear camera if you choose to use it. Subarus have never had what you would call flash interiors and occasionally you feel a little down market compared to the German marques but during the snow the Solterra which is on the Dunlop sport max tyres managed our road which proved difficult if not impossible for others. All my driving has been over the winter months and the average consumption is around 2.5 to 3 kWh so I'm looking forward to the warmer weather to see if I can improve the range. I haven't seen an EV review where the car achieves the claimed range as this is affected by temperature, typography and of course your right foot etc etc. I looked at many different makes but my choice was limited to the length of the car and being of a certain age how easy it was to get in and out as I wanted to be able to charge in my garage. Again thank you for you're honest and fair review.
Hi @Johnny Boy. First of all, thank you for watching the video and taking the time to comment on your thoughts as a Solterra owner. It’s great to hear about people’s actual experiences with these cars as owners, so thank you for sharing. It is a decent car, and I suspect if this had just been launched as Subaru’s own product we would all be applauding them as making a decent effort. It’s hard not to love a Subaru given their past history and what great cars they have given us. Interesting what you say about the tyres, and I concur. They felt a bit more focused than the Toyota’s “do it all” Bridgestones.
Do let us know what your findings are on the efficiency front during the warmer months. It will be interesting to see what the difference is.
Thanks again for watching and taking the time to comment. Bryan@AutoEV.
Hey Brian! I feel you about this brand! Subaru Is something that we all lived with this weird idea like the Brat! I am a new owner of the Solterra In Canada and even with our 100kw charging speed...I kinda love it. But I'am honest with you...this car is a new era for Subaru and I am sure that they gonna keep up the race and find a place in this new market. Cause, once you got Subaru, it's hard to let it go. I drove, ionic 5, id4 and It doesn't fit with our lifestyle...we have 2 kids and we are always out for skiing, biking and sometime...some home improvement witch mean not being so gentle with the car...So with Subaru, I feel like they thing about not being too "fancy" or too "hi tech" and they let me be someone not too fancy :) Thanks for your Review! I really appreciate it!
I have a Solterra and am impressed with its on and off road capabilities.
I
Prior to purchasing it I was aware of the range efficiency issue compared to others. However, when being critical of this you should mention that performance deficit is inevitable when designing a vehicle with higher ground clearance than the competition alongside permanent 4WD. In my view this tips the balance when attempting to make direct reasoned comparisons.
Essentially I feel matching range and efficiency to be an unreasonable expectation when better ground clearance and off road ability were a key element in the design brief
Great review as always. I have had two Subarus in the last 10 years (Forester & Outback), brilliant, distinctive cars. I drove the Solterra last week, loved so much of it but wouldn't buy one until they up the range and improve the efficiency. For now I have a Polestar 2, also great (not the most efficient but better than the Solterra). My head tells me to keep the Polestar for now. My heart says the day they improve the range and efficiency I will jump back to Subaru. The dog will prefer it as well!
Good choice on the Polestar! Great car! Have to agree with you, the range and efficiency for the price is a big disappointment. If this had a trust 300 mile range (rather than 170-ish) it would be hard to argue against. But it doesn’t, so it isn’t.
Thanks for watching and taking the time to comment.
I understand that Subaru probably couldn’t afford to develop their own EV platform, but I don’t understand why would they choose Toyota’s to share. It’s hopeless
Great vid, a fair summary and reasonable conclusion
I moved from a Forester to a Solterra. I think they are both great. What he says about range and efficiency are very true but not relevant in my experience. Almost all of my driving is around town. I plug it in I about once a week and charge it to 80% overnight. So the major deficiencies that he mentions are invisible to me.
As a Norwegian, the Solberg really gave subaru a good name here too, still loads of old and new wrx'es on our roads. I have had a forester before I now got my solterra in touring or as we call them, sport class in white. Love the car to bits honestly, of course some small flaws like no wireless android auto, wierd but can be worked around, maybe a usbc connection is faster and stable either way. Range is not really a issue in my mind, now with the update it is atleast accurate, but the charging is fast but does not reach max 150kw, but more around 100kw which is not slow, but its not top either, atleast gives me more rest before moving along. Otherwise the car is amazing, almost drives itself on the highway and makes older roads fun to drive. Safety is top notch, interior is well enough, nothing that keeps your eyes off the road. But there are also missed oppertunities honestly, like no frunk while in theory there should be space for one, not huge, but useable for something, also the black strip between the bonnet and front windscreen could maybe be changed for a strip of solar pannels, just to give the car a little more envirormental feedback.
I am 5:11 and 200 lbs. I find driving position and view over the steering wheel just fine for me.
The % for battery is being added via a software update.
Canadian vehicles come with Bridgestone 235 60 r 20.
Yes better than the BZ4x
I like how thorough that you are in your comments.
EV s are more expensive in the UK. The Solterra mid trim is $58,500.00CDN upper trim with sun roof and ventilated seats is $3,700 more.
❤we have slightly different trim packages offered in Canada. We have luxury without the glass roof and the Tech that has the glass sun roof and the ventilated seats and rear camera washer.
Who is the maker of the battery used in Solterra and BZ4X ?
I got a bZ4X. Is the front better looking on the Solterra? That's a matter of taste. I like how Toyota has placed top of the bonnet. Solterra has fog lamps. Since I use fog light once a year at the most, I'll survive that. Here on Norway Subaru is kind of a niche'ish brand. Toyota is a dominant brand. That affects the resell value. Coming to warrenty I would choose bZ4X any day - and I did.
I chose the subaru due to the ground clearance as where I live it gets lots of snow and mowing this area happens rather late, and my history with subaru is much better than toyota so it only fell naturally, but they are both great cars. Also in Norway btw.
Other subaru models also bong that are sold i Ontario Canada
Sadly this car suffers from the same fate as a lot of EV’s at that price point - when sat in them they simply don’t feel like £50k to £60k of car- switch gear, materials, design and layout all disappoint. Does it have a heat pump? In such a competitive segment isn’t a 1 or 2 year old Ipace a more compelling choice? - offering a similar aspect of off road capabilities. If looking for driving dynamics or family practicality or luxury aren’t their better options. Just can’t see who it might appeal to.
It has a heat pump, but I’m inclined to agree with you. I love the Kia EV6 and it would be my choice of NEW ev at this price point. But his struggle to see past a used I-Pace, hence my twin test last year. You should check out that video as well as the next review coming to the channel.
Thanks for watching and taking the time to comment.
For some reason the dash reminds me of the Fiat Multipla? Maybe be it’s the plastics because the Fiat had some colour.
It’s a shame. For that’s a price you’d expect a longer range.
Indeed you do.
Yes, in my mind Subaru have had their hands tied behind their backs with this one. Maybe because Toyota has a 20% stake in Subaru.
My last Subaru was a Impressa, just before they lost their identity in design, now they are just like all the rest. Which is a pity, because they had a great product back then, but just seem to be the “also rans” these days.
I get what you’re saying about the post-2012 Impreza - but the post 2014 Crosstrek that shares the newest base combined with great clearance is an awesome vehicle!
I bought a 2023 for my wife thinking I was getting
Her a sedate replacement for her 2010 Outback - only to find that they now pack the 2.2L 4 from the Outback in there and the Turbo is no longer necessary (I’m not looking for a WRX/STI - which is still built on the pre-2013 platform!) to get off the line and it still meets the PZEV standard - which in CT allows you to use the preferred EV parking spaces (as long as it’s not a charging space).
Now, if we can just get rid of that freaking Toyota hybrid and dump the Toyota EV platform for something made by a company who actually believes in the concept of an EV!
Fuji can buy back Toyota’s shares at any time, as long as they continue to agree to provide them with Boxers for their pocket rockets
What is the best EV car in your opinion?
Well it all depends on what you are after! There is no one answer to this. Money no object, I think the a Porsche Taycan CrossTurismo takes some beating. But then it’s a 6 figure price tag. At the other end of the scale, I rate the Honda e. But you’ll struggle to get 100 miles on a full charge. Kia Niro EV? Great all round family car. But not very sexy! Depends on what you are after. The BMW i3 is a superb car if you can put up with the lack of space and short range. I’d say, hand on heart, the Kia EV6 and the Polestar 2 are two of my favourites of the moment though.
My heart wants to get the Subaru cos I love the brand but my head keeps saying no…
If we all refuse to buy their Toyota EV platform, maybe they will get the message and dump Toyota for a partner that actually believes in EV and not hybrid.
Then we could buy a real Subaru BEV that is almost a rock crawler and won’t give me range anxiety every time I take it out off-road !
The steering wheel switches look a bit 1980s.
Yeah they use the same on the Prius too, too many buttons. Volvo/Polestar seem to have functional wheels that are not too complex but understandable, need more manufacturers to copy them.
Agree with both comments on this.
I have always loved Subaru, if there was only Toyota as competition I would agree with your conclusions, but that Kia EV6 is head and shoulders above both cars.
Excellent review getting good at this now 😀but car is bland only loyal customers will buy it better cars out there Megane for one
I guess this review is only for people who don’t actually need AWD. But that is the point of this BEV. You buy it for the symmetrical AWD and its ability to handle mud and snow.
Even if we could get it in the US, the Megane would get stuck crossing a good sized puddle. There are plenty of TV options out there if you’re concerned about locks or average highway driving.
Don’t get me wrong, I would not buy this EV either - but mainly because of the limited range, and the inferior Toyota components like it’s “Radar” safety sensing systems. The Subaru Eyesight system is the best system made for any vehicle, yet they passed it up for the inferior Toyota component.
Subaru really blew it with this one!
Hmmmmm so Subaru decided to plan an electric future and did so by teaming up with a company Toyota who have all but given up on an electric future. I know they are relasing.more BZ models but they are completely lost in this space as is Lexus and Honda. Real shame, guess Subaru will be on the scrapheap of gallen motor brands soon. Informative review as always...Im just totally taken aback by the sheer incompetence of the Japanese manufacturers.
Regularly visiting farms and travelling down potholed rural roads and farm tracks I need the ground clearance as much if not more than the four wheel drive of this car. I should be thinking about saving the planet with an EV but am interested in the tax saved particularly corporation tax through my business and personal tax through a low BIK. A tyre distributor friend tells me that any saving in fuel will be off set by significantly increased tyre wear.
Having had two Outbacks in recent years ( and a son having two XV’s) my heart says Solterra. Sadly with uncertainty over used EV values and long term EV reliability down the line,in 3 years time the Subaru will be out of warranty with currently no option of buying a Subaru extended warranty. The Toyota, dependant on mileage and regular servicing could still have 7 years warranty left.
It's too much a Toyota. Kia and Hyundai have similar cars underneath in the Ioniq 5 and EV6, yet they look completely different from the outside and quite different inside. This doesn't look look like a Subaru inside or out. So, it's hard to look at this and think of it as a Subaru. It's a rebadged bZ4 as it carries Toyota design language much more than Subaru's. I think the bZ4 gets a bad rap. Seems like a good car that needs better range and a faster charging speed. And I have the feeling it is screwed together well.
The Time Subaru was unique in its own right is soooow long aga. It's mostly badge engineering last decade.
For me 'the efficiency is woeful' is the reason to not buy either.
I know you didn’t like the Tesla Model Y what with it’s bland looks and fiddly ride but when you look at the price of the Subaru/Toyota compared to the Tesla they are simply miles behind. Saying that all EV’s of this size are still way overpriced and I’m sure they will get a small number of buyers but I suspect 90%+ would go for a Tesla for this money.
Elon Musk is the reason I will not buy a Tesla. As long as he is running that show and making decisions based on his opinions rather than safety he is a menace to his customers.
base solterra is $15000 more than the base BZ4X in canada, so no, Subaru doesn't make better Toyota, they just make far more expensive ones lol
Frankly since I am not interested in the Toyota your constant reference to the toyota is somewhat annoying and causes a lack of information regarding the Soltera. Please, when you review a car review that car not another.
Thanks P.S. Be careful with the volume when you speak as your voice often drops to a very soft level making it hard to understand what you are saying.. Hopes this improves your videos!
Combustion platform compramised from the start
It's not a combustion platform. It's derived from one but made for BEV only. Therefore it isn't optimized as BEV only.
Subarus quality has gone way down last 5 years or so...always issues past 100k unlike toyotas
so ugly front, why do nearly all modern vehicles have a bigger frontal area than their previous model. What happened to aerodynamics for crying out loud. The car industry is catering to the he man tradie. Appalling dead end road.
I guess that Subaru is not popular or understood in Great Britain.
I live in New England in the north eastern United States, and I can tell you that at least three or four of every 10 passenger vehicles (not just SUVs!) that you pass on the highway are Subarus. This is no exaggeration! They are easily the most popular car brand sold at least in the northern United States. There is no better vehicle in the snow . There is no better vehicle in mud season. And while I agree that the range is just not enough on this BEV SUV, your review completely ignored the major difference between the Toyota and the Subaru: the Subaru has a completely different Symmetric all wheel drive system And performs off-road almost as good as a rock crawler. This goes for the EV as well. The Toyota is not even in the same class. It is their FWD/AWD platform, not Subaru’s. The Toyota is plainly just a far inferior car.
The only other reason that I would not buy this car is that it does not come with Subarus Eyesight system, rather it is outfitted with the Toyota radar system - again a grossly inferior product to what is considered to be the best safety program in any vehicle sold in the US.
I appreciated your review, and your manner, but it seems that you just missed the whole point of a Subaru, and even failed to review those off-road assets.
If I’m being completely honest with you - you missed the mark in providing competent information. But to be fair, I enjoy your style and system of review and will definitely come back to your site as I continue consideration of EVs.
As for the car itself, which I have already driven, I will wait until it has better range.
I don’t think the video misses the point of Subarus, in the UK we just don’t get much snow and there is no such thing as a mud season. That’s why we enjoyed the maddest WRX Scoobies but dull 4x4s with great off-road performance are pretty irrelevant here. Dull 4x4 EVs with Toyota’s duff technology are worse than irrelevant. Geography and climate means Subaru will remain a niche brand here whilst continuing to sell bucket loads in N America
@@bill_heywood Thanks for the insight! I have only been in London and my Irish ancestral home in County Tyrone during the summer month - my fault for assuming you had some winter season like on the Continent. I would think that GB would have some off-roading culture, though ? No? After all, you make the single greatest SUV in world history - the Rover!
I do, however think that a review comparing these two sister vehicles would focus in on the few mechanical differences instead of the features that are basically the same.
But thanks for helping
me to understand the cultural and environmental differences!!
Be well!
@@rickdunne5795 The UK market due to fuel prices was always after max economy and Subaru was always a little short in this area. They never imported the 2wd versions here as they did in some parts of the world. Stuff like Mazda 3, Corolla, Civic was not really that popular here either. Most people wanted ford, WV etc.
Don't think the Subaru is the most popular in your Area (even sedans only). UTES outsell everything here in Australia with Tesla second.
@@rivergladesgardenrailroad8834 (only start reading this if you are prepared for quite the ramble, and an inclination to dive down a rabbit hole - you have been warned)
I’ll have to look for empirical sales data, but anecdotally, if you drive any highway in New England, for every 100 cars you pass, you would easily be able to count 30-40 Subarus.
To be clear - I am not referring to EVs only - most are 2.0 or 2.2 Boxer 4s mounted in Outbacks, Foresters, Crosstreks, Imprezas and Legacy sedans - all 5-door vehicles in the States except for the Legacy - although at one time in the early 2000s, we did have a Legacy XT Sedan with what I would guess you might call a hatch - the entire back of the car hinged up from the roof line down to the traditional trunk line (I realize that not all vehicles are sold in all countries in the same configuration -especially pre - 2019 - although that will probably change as most vehicles are on the new “global platform“ starting in 2020. So, I will search far and wide for pics of this XT “hatch” and a new “Brat“ - that is what the little pick-up body, two-door “truck“ is called here, for sale - but I believe you can still order a new one from a dealership if you’re willing to wait 6-9 months for them to install “American bumpers” at the “port”).
Again, we are not comparing Subarus versus total percentage of vehicles on the road or sold in each year. While Subaru has quadrupled sales over the last decade in the US, it is still less than 2% of the overall car market here.
Again anecdotally, among the approximately 50 homes on the hill where we live (4.5 miles of roadway on 2 roads over maybe 2000 acres), I count 45 Subaru vehicles out of a total of maybe 100 cars and light trucks registered to drive on-road (and even more Subarus if you count those just working off-road on farm or in wooded areas). Reason? In a snowstorm, mud season, or even at the height of a blizzard - everyone with a Subaru, manages to drive home (or go out) while people driving FWD Volkswagens & pick-ups or almost ANY American or Euro-made FWD/AWD with a traditional transfer case remain parked at the bottom of the hill until the road is plowed or graded. Even the Audi/VW Quattros don’t cut it because they don’t have the proper clearance or gearing. so if you want to be prepared to travel New England in winter, you really only have two choices: a 4wd truck/SUV or a Subaru.
Right now I have a 2023 Crosstrek and a 2019 Outback - just got rid of my original 1998 Legacy Outback with 270,000 miles on it - (and I sold it for $1500!). The used market for Subarus is beyond hot and you are lucky if you can find something with 100,000 miles or so on it at a reasonable price. There are only 2 Subaru vehicles that no one should go anywhere near: the 2013 Impreza (personally made that mistake) or 2013 Crosstrek, and ANY version of the 7-passenger Ascent - just terrible motor vehicles loaded with flaws!
I work in government
Transportation Planning, so I have access to more data, but apparently not sales by brand broken out by state, so I will post interesting links to stories about where we love our Subarus. Also some stories about Ernie Boch, Sr. (not his ding-a-ling son, Jr.), an entrepreneur who gets paid every time a Subaru is sold in New England! (Now that Sr. has passed, the little Nazi gets the commission that has made them billionaires)
www.cartalk.com/blogs/craig-fitzgerald/every-subaru-sold-new-england-comes-guy
I have deep disagreement with the man’s politics, but I am willing to let him make a profit from me, because I love the Subaru that much (plus, regarding Trump, as we say here, “He’s deader than JFK!“)
Subaru New England sells more cars than Canada and Australia:
www.torquenews.com/1084/meet-us-dealer-who-sells-more-subaru-cars-any-country
Top 10 Subaru States
www.iseecars.com/most-subarus-by-state-2016-study
How Subaru became the
unofficial Car of Vermont
www.roadandtrack.com/car-culture/classic-cars/a19563992/how-subaru-became-the-unofficial-car-of-vermont/
If you got this far, well, the rabbit hole can get pretty deep from here! We just have an incredible number of Subarus in New England - and this is despite the fact that that fascist Ernie Bosch, Jr. collects a premium on top of the MSRP anywhere else in the United States!
So late so uncompetitive so bland so forgettable so inefficient so what now…….?