Standard AWD accounts for much of that.
A while back, we said the Toyota bZ4X undercut the Ford Mustang Mach E’s pricing. And it does, starting at $42,000 for the base XLE model with front-wheel drive. Given Subaru’s rally roots, the brand couldn’t simply share that FWD base trim with Toyota. Instead, the Subaru Solterra starts at $44,995 with standard all-wheel drive, in addition to a $1,225 destination charge.
The brand’s first EV is split into three trim levels: Premium, Limited, and Touring, with the sale price rising in accordance with those trim levels. The Solterra does still qualify for the federal EV tax credit putting $7,500 back in the buyer’s pocket, straight from Uncle Sam.
Subaru also announced pricing for the Solterra’s paint options. Unfortunately, only two paint colors are zero-cost options. Galactic Black and Smoked Carbon are free unless you go with the two-tone paint option, which runs you $495 for Smoked Carbon and $890 for the rest of the Solterra’s colors, which are as follows: Harbor Mist Gray Pearl ($395), Elemental Red Pearl ($395), and Cosmic White Pearl ($395).
Happily, pricing jumps for the Solterra’s different trim levels are relatively small. Premium, Limited, and Touring models are all priced at $44,995, $48,495, and $51,995, respectively. As you climb the trim level ladder, the number of available options also rises from 11 in the Premium to 31 in the Limited, and finally, 41 in the Touring.
For now, there’s only one power level for the Solterra’s electric motors. The Subaru EV’s spec sheet says it’ll make 215 hp and 249 lb-ft of torque. With a 0-60 mph time of around 6.5 seconds, it’s not an especially quick car. Thankfully, the Solterra’s off-road capability does make up for this on some levels. That said, we know the thing will feel slow if you’re coming out of the competition from Ford and Tesla.
Subaru has clearly put in the work to appeal to its chief customer base, and we’ll have to see if that work pays off in sales. For now, we know that the Solterra’s pricing at least serves to severely undercut both the Mach E and the Tesla Model Y.