Everything You Need to Know About Subaru Electric Cars

The 2023 Subaru Solterra will be Subaru’s first all-electric vehicle and will be on sale in select countries by mid-2022.
Written by Ethan Moser
Reviewed by Kathleen Flear
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Although
Subaru
doesn't currently offer any electric vehicles, Subie lovers won't have to wait too long—the manufacturer is set to release its first all-electric car, the 2023 Solterra, later this year.
While Subaru has had hybrid powertrain vehicles on offer since 2013, they have yet to release a fully electric-powered car. That said, as more and more drivers turn towards eco-friendly alternatives to gas-powered vehicles, Subaru is gearing up to release its first electric vehicle in mid-2022. 
Here to take you through all the specs for Subaru’s incoming electric car is
Jerry
, a licensed
car insurance
broker and the first
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for car owners. We’ll take a look at Subaru’s flagship electric vehicle and see how it stacks up against the competition. 
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Does Subaru have electric cars?

No—not just yet. As of early 2022, there are no all-electric Subarus on the market. That being said, drivers can expect to see the automotive manufacturer unveil its first electric vehicle later this year. That’s right! Subaru is releasing the 2023 Subaru Solterra, an all-electric SUV, in just a few months! 

2023 Subaru Solterra

Starting price: $44,995
Powertrain: Dual eMotor powertrain w/standard Symmetrical All-Wheel drive; 215 horsepower; 249 lb-ft of torque
Driving range: 222-228 miles
Charging time: 9 hours at 240V
Subaru announced the release of their long-awaited all-electric SUV, the Solterra EV, in early 2022. The rugged yet stylish SUV features a set of dual electric motors and standard Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive capabilities. Built on Subaru’s first-ever all-electric architecture, the e-Subaru Global Platform, the Solterra SUV will be decked out with high-tech, next-generation infotainment and driver-assistance features, including a 12.3-inch touchscreen and state-of-the-art active safety. 
Subaru reports that the Solterra’s battery pack will carry a gross capacity of 72.8 kWh, giving the EV an estimated 222-228 miles of range on a single charge. The Solterra’s StarDrive powertrain will also pair with standard Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive, the first vehicle of its kind to do so. Drivers who purchase a Solterra when it’s released will receive a complimentary charger that works with any 120 V outlet suitable for Level 1 charging
For faster charging, you can have a 240 V Level 2 charger installed at an additional cost. Using the 240 V charger, Subaru reports that your Solterra should be fully charged within nine hours. Similarly, when hooked up to a 100 KW DC fast-charge, the Solterra will reach an 80% charge in as little as 56 minutes. 
The Solterra is also great for drivers looking for an off-road driving experience. With 8.3 inches of ground clearance, an all-weather, all-terrain traction system, and standard X-MODE with Hill Ascent and Descent Assist capabilities, the Solterra SUV can tackle just about anything you throw at it. And don’t worry about where you’re going to stow your camping gear—the Solterra will feature a whopping 30 cubic feet of cargo space!

How will Subaru’s electric car compare to competitors?

While it’s hard to tell what Subaru’s future will look like when it comes to electric cars, there’s one question that is on everyone’s mind: will Subaru’s electric cars be as good as the competition? 
There are a lot of ways to answer that question, and some of them depend on your priorities as a driver. Personal taste and brand loyalty play a big part, but when it comes to performance capabilities and additional features, it’s clear that Subaru is a stand-out competitor—electric or not. 
To take a closer look at how Subaru’s electric car measures up to the competition, we’ll look at three key factors: range and charging time, performance, and affordability over time

Driving range and charging time

An electric vehicle’s driving range refers to how long it can drive before its battery dies after a single full charge. This is one of the most important aspects of any electric vehicle as it shows drivers how easy and efficient the EV will be to drive from day to day. 
With an estimated driving range of 222-228 miles, the Subaru Solterra is far from the worst when it comes to driving range specs, but it can’t match other makes and models like Tesla, whose
Model X
cracks 350 miles on a single charge. 
Want to run the numbers yourself? Here’s a full breakdown of Subaru’s EV versus its biggest competition.
Model
Driving range
Charging time at 220v
Charging time w DC fast charger
2023 Subaru Solterra
222-228 miles
9 hrs
10-80% in 56 min
2022 Ford E-Transit
126 miles
8 hrs
15-80% in 34 min
2022 Kia EV6
310 miles
7 hrs
10-80% in 18 mins
2022 Kia Niro EV
239 miles
9 hrs
10-80% in 1 hr
2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5
220-303 miles
6 hrs
10-80% in 18 min
2022 Hyundai Kona Electric
258 miles
10 hrs
10-80% in 75 min
2022 Volkswagen ID.4
280 miles
7.5 hrs
0-80% in 38 min
2022 Tesla Model Y
303-330 miles
10 hrs
10-80% in 22 min
2022 Tesla Model X
335-351 miles
6.5-10 hrs
10-80% in under 30 min
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Performance

Another concern about going electric is performance: will waving goodbye to that V6 or V8 engine mean sacrificing speed, power, and reliability? 
At the moment, it’s impossible to determine whether or not the Solterra will prove to be a reliable electric SUV. However, as a brand, Subaru consistently receives good to great reliability ratings on their gas-powered and hybrid vehicles. That being said, when it comes to power and speed, the Subaru Solterra appears as if it will fall flat against the rest of the sector.
Model
Maximum horsepower
Maximum torque
0 to 60 time
2023 Subaru Solterra
215 hp
249 lb-ft
est. 6.5 seconds
2022 Ford F-150 Lightning
563 hp
775 lb-ft
est. 4.5 seconds
2022 Kia EV6
576 hp
446 lb-ft
4.5 seconds
2022 Kia Niro EV
201 hp
291 lb-ft
6.2 seconds
2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5
320 hp
446 lb-ft
4.5 seconds
2022 Hyundai Kona Electric
201 hp
290 lb-ft
6.4 seconds
2022 Volkswagen ID.4
295 hp
339 lb-ft
5.4 seconds
2022 Tesla Model Y
est. 480 hp
375 lb-ft
3.6 seconds
2022 Tesla Model X
1,020 hp
713 lb-ft
3.3 seconds

Cost of ownership

Again, because the Solterra hasn’t hit the market yet, it’s difficult to determine how much it will cost to own one of these electric SUVs. In terms of starting price you should expect to pay anywhere from $44,995 to $46,220. 
But affordability is about more than sticker price, and that’s especially true when it comes to electric cars, which typically see lower fuel and maintenance costs than vehicles powered by internal combustion engines. And in the case of Subaru cars, federal tax credits and other
electric car incentives
can further offset ownership costs—to the tune of at least $7,500
While the Solterra won’t be the cheapest EV on the market once it’s released (look to the
Chevy Bolt
, which starts at $32,495, the
Hyundai Kona
Electric, starting at $35,245, or the
Nissan Leaf
at just $28,425 for cheaper options) it’s far from the most expensive. For example, a Tesla Model X will set you back nearly $100,000—that’s more than double what the Solterra will cost. 
MORE: Are there hidden costs of owning an electric vehicle?

How to decide if going electric is right for you

While there are benefits to going electric, both for your wallet and for the environment, it’s definitely not the right choice for every driver. So, if you’re weighing the pros and cons of getting the new Subaru EV, here are some questions you might want to consider first: 
  • Do you have access to public charging stations? A home charging station is the best option for regular charging, but you could run into problems if you’re forced to rely solely on home charging. 
  • How many miles do you drive each day? Driving range is a major source of anxiety for drivers considering the switch to electric, but if your daily driving range is well under the maximum, an EV could be a good fit. 
  • How often do you go on trips over 200-300 miles? For daily trips around town, an EV’s maximum range is generally sufficient, but if you drive 300+ miles to grandma’s house every weekend, charging might pose a problem. 
  • Do you have a garage at home? If you do buy an electric car, you’ll want to install a home charging station—but that might be impossible if you park on the street. 
  • Do you need a vehicle with towing capacity? This is an important question for truck and SUV lovers. Subaru’s Solterra is equipped with impressive off-roading capabilities, including 3,500 lbs towing capacity, but towing will seriously deplete your EV’s driving range. 
Driving an electric vehicle also features hidden benefits like a $7,500 tax incentive from the federal government, as well as other rebates and incentives from your state and local governments. EV’s also typically boast lower operating costs, especially since you won’t constantly be paying out for gasoline. On the other hand, EVs tend to come with higher upfront costs and time-consuming charging logistics

Subaru’s electric future

If the Subaru Solterra does well in 2022-23, it’s reasonable to assume that we will see more and more Subaru EVs hitting the market in years to come. As the world moves away from gas-powered vehicles, Subaru is one of the slower manufacturers to switch gears and offer a fully-electric car, but if the Solterra’s estimated specs are any indication, Subaru has a bright future in the world of EV cars. 

Plan for the future with affordable car insurance

Whether you’re looking to save money on gas by switching to an electric powertrain or looking to save money on car insurance by switching your policy,
Jerry
is here to help. 
As a licensed insurance broker and the #1-rated car insurance shopping super app, Jerry helps users find great rates on car insurance without sacrificing necessary coverage. By sourcing competitive quotes from 50+ of the top insurance providers nationwide, Jerry makes it easier than ever to find the insurance policy that fits your needs and your budget. 
And the best part? Users who switch their car insurance policy with Jerry save an average of $800+ a year! 
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