SOLID GROUND

Subaru’s Solterra is the perfect EV for town travel

THANKS to their ongoing partnership, the Subaru Solterra is to all intents and purposes the same car as the Toyota bZ4X. Nowhere, perhaps, is this more explicit than in the name – after all, Sol, Terra and Luna have been grade names for Toyota models over the years.

So, nothing earth-shaking in the design, though it does have a sunny disposition and, I suppose given the week that was in it, a large panoramic roof through which you could view the full pink moon.

It is, though, an attractive car, even in the rather lumpen grey of my test model. The sharply raked rear window and long nose give it a sort of jockey’s cap urgency, and the black roof rails, kickline, and wheel arches that extend into the headlights, tie the side profile nicely together.

Obviously, electric cars don’t need radiator grilles, and many carmakers struggle to know what to do in their absence, but here there’s a sensible solid panel framed in glossy piano black, and it works a lot better than some of the illuminated, starry designs you see elsewhere. I’m a fan of EVs that don’t really look like EVs, if that makes sense, and this is one of the better ones.

Inside, it actually is terrific. My test car in Touring trim came with a nice, mock fabric waffle cladding on the fascia, and the 12.3-inch widescreen infotainment screen is crystal clear and responsive. Best of all, though, is a sort of squash court-shaped surround behind the steering wheel, with a small but again easily read instrument panel. It’s all very futuristic looking, and very pleasant indeed.

The cabin feels exceptionally roomy, ever for rear seat passengers in terms of both head and leg room, and the 452-litre boot is spacious too. That sunroof also brings in a lot of light on sunny days, adding to the overall feeling of relaxed elegance.

There’s lots of storage space close to hand, plus USB-A and USB-C inputs, and a wireless charging pad, with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, so you’ll never be stuck for juice.

Well, in your phone or tablet anyway — the car not so much. The advertised range on a full charge is 413km, but 75% of that really is more realistic. Irritatingly, it doesn’t offer you a display of battery percentage, only predicted range, so it’s hard to measure one against the other. In term of consumption, though, the WLTP number is 18kWh per 100km, but I was averaging 22kWh, a reflection of my mainly motorway driving.

Maximum charge input is 150kW, and if you manage to get close to that, you should get from 10-80% battery capacity in half an hour, and easily overnight on a 7kW home wallbox.

None of this would matter of the drive wasn’t enjoyable, and it really is. This is a heavy car, thanks to the large batteries, so it always feels planted without being harsh over lumps and bumps, even in 20-inch wheels, as is the case at this trim level. Five years ago, I would have lauded the 6.9-second acceleration from 0-100kph—– indeed, in a petrol or diesel car, I would have been utterly delighted — but compared with some other EV crossovers, it is average. Lively, yes, but not sporty.

There are various drive modes, including Eco to get the maximum out of the battery, and also for the likes of snow, mud and so on. There are, of course, consequences for battery life, depending on which mode you choose.

One of things I really liked was driver comfort, and ease of access to certain functions. It may seem like a little thing, but physical buttons for the temperature and fan speed make such a difference, and it was a delight to find out this car had them, after a run of models in which everything was controlled from screen menus.

The seats too are really comfortable, especially on longer journeys.

I’ve always liked Subarus, especially the Forester, and I grew fond of the Solterra too, albeit with mild concerns about the practical range. It’s not an issue around town, but you’d certainly have to carefully plan a longer journey, not least since I increasingly see every charger in motorway service areas in use at the same time. And, as always, price is an issue. At an entry-level €51,495, net of the SEAI grant and VRT rebate, this is not a cheap car, but for someone looking in that bracket and desiring something just a little out of the common run, the Solterra might well be the sun, moon and, er, earth.