Ian Lamming turns Mr Shifter in Subaru’s very first electric vehicle
I’LL never get all that in there, surely?
Both chunky occasional chairs are still covered in the protective envelopes in which they were placed six years ago when they disappeared into storage.
Now it’s time for them to emerge and make their way to our home the transport is more modest than the removal van that originally collected them – it’s a Subaru Solterra.
Pop the boot, fold down the rear seats and prepare to cram and swear. But amazingly they slot straight in along with another very large cardboard box containing goodness knows what. I’m stunned, I was not expecting that.
But the great thing about designed-from-the-ground-up electric vehicles is that their floors are flat. This makes them incredibly practical because there are so few intrusions into the cabin and Solterra does a half decent impression of being a small van.
Of course it isn’t a small van it’s an SUV, or, to be precise, a BEV, because this new offering from Subaru is its first all-electric car. To save a bit of time and money it is the result of a link-up between Subaru and Toyota.
So what you get is a rebadged Toyota BZ4X but with Subaru monikers and a proper name. This can only be a good thing because the former is a truly excellent EV, one of my favourites, which will now have to share the limelight with a Subaru you can call Solterra – which is a combination of the Latin words for sun and earth, by the way.
There are slight differences – namely the Subaru is AW-only, a bit more powerful and quicker – but they certainly are close country cousins, or even non-identical twins.
The noses are slightly different giving the Subaru a unique look. Being new there aren’t thatmany BZ4Xs on the road as yet so the Subaru can build its own profile nicely.
Being a Subaru it has to be a 4×4 and Solterra is no exception. It’s easy enough, just stick an 80kW electric motor on each axle and the job’s done.
Also, keep Subaru’s go-anywhere technology of X-MODE with hill descent control and 210mm of ground clearance – not to mention a raft of ‘safety sense’ gubbins, such as 360-degree panoramic monitors and pre-collision braking – and existing Subaru customers will be delighted, as well as new ones looking for a rugged, practical BEV.
Fully charged the range meter reads 245, the official claim is a bit more, which isn’t bad, and the good news is that it boasts an innovative heat management system, with heat pump fitted as standard, so the mileage doesn’t drop off when you need to warm the cabin through. It takes charge really well from the mains too so you could get away without having to install a home-charger. In the time I have it I don’t visit the supermarket at all to recharge as there’s always enough range to get me there and back.
This confidence in the battery gives you the ability to enjoy the dynamic nature of the Solterra – it’s a truly fabulous drive. Torque is instant making the Subaru exceptionally swift with brilliantly controllable mid-range for safe overtaking. It’s like a four wheel motorbike, just a bit wider.
The ride and handling are supreme even when the car is fully loaded with bulky chairs and the steering sharp and responsive. It is just so smooth, quiet and powerful you simply can’t help but enjoy the ride.
The interior is a masterpiece of modern design, made even better by the panoramic sunroof which floods the cabin with light.
Inside a spacious cockpit the steering wheel is small and low-set so you actually look over the top to the slimline TFT clocks, your eyes channelled in by the trim.
The centre console has two decks, a lower one for storage, the upper for drinks, phone charger and, instead of a conventional shift lever, a dial control which you depress and turn to the left or right to select drive or reverse. The P (Park) setting is a one-touch button. There are also button for the one-pedal/battery regeneration function and X-Mode for off-roading. The touchscreen is large and easy to use and the infotainment system is excellent, especially as the music comes through Harman Kardon speakers.
Solterra is a car of many wonderful surprises, not least its ability to swallow humungous amounts of luggage, and it’s a great entry into the BEV market.
Fact file
Subaru Solterra
Motor: 2 x 80kW electric motors, Lithium-ion battery
Power: 215bhp
Max speed: 110mph
0-62mph: 6.9 secs
Transmission: CVT, all-wheel-drive
Range: 245
CO2 g/km: 0
Price: from £55,495.00
