WHEN Subaru and Toyota get together good things happen.
Take the Subaru-built BRZ and GR86 for instance.
Hot two-seater styling.
Naturally-aspirated boxer engine.
Rear-wheel drive. Light.
A joy to drive and even more so to drift.
Happily, they’ve gone and done it again.
But this time it is an entirely different proposition.
A big electric SUV.
Sister to Toyota’s catchily-named bZ4X, the Solterra is Subaru’s first all-electric car and, at the same time, its most luxurious.
In keeping with Subaru’s traditionally rugged ethos, Solterra comes with permanent all-wheel drive as standard, and has a unique X-Mode traction control system to take it through deep mud or snow to places the Toyota can’t reach.
That said, I wasn’t particularly tempted to go off-grid given its more urban-focused ground clearance, though boggy fields were certainly a cinch to deal with.
But it’s not so much the extra off-road capability that stands out to me but the wholly composed and unflappable ride that this big, heavy SUV delivers – even when stringing together a sweet set of B-road bends.
Factor in a comprehensive suite of advanced, active driver-assisted systems and effortless, hushed motorway cruising is just a couple of clicks away.
There is just one powertrain available, however, 71kWh battery with dual electric motors.
It’s good for, potentially, 289 miles.
But not in winter.
Our real world cold weather testing showed a figure much closer to 200.
Re-juicing at a rapid charging point with 150kW capacity, takes 28 mins.
The entry-level Limited model, which starts at £52k, is notably specced-up to include winter-ready heated front and rear seats, heated steering wheel and a heat pump, plus adaptive cruise control and a 360-degree parking camera system.
For three grand more, top Touring spec rolls on 20in alloys and adds panoramic sunroof, wireless phone charging dock, pleather and a pukka Harman Kardon sound system.
The cabin is pretty cool too.
The quirkily-styled cockpit and binnacle gave me fun, retro spaceship vibes.
One drawback, it’s quite driver height specific when it comes to reading the instrument panel above the steering wheel and might not suit every shape and size as it did me.
The 12in infotainment touchscreen is excellent – intuitive to use with crisp graphics and snappy responsiveness.
It’s also wireless Apple CarPlay enabled, but only serves Android users if plugged into a USB port.
Interior and boot space is good enough for most.
Its five-star Euro NCAP safety rating, three-year warranty and eight-year battery guarantee should please all.
Subaru used to be known for its ballistic, rally-romping Impreza.
And I really wanted one, 20 years ago.
But the world has changed.
Subaru has changed.
And that’s all good with me, because I’ve changed too.
SUBARU SOLTERRA
Price: £52,495
Battery: 71kWh
Power: 218hp, 336Nm
0-62mph: 6.9 secs
Top speed: 100mph
Range: 289 miles
Charging: 28 mins to 80%
Emissions: 0g/km
Out: Now
