This is my 3rd EV since 2015. Started with a 2013 LEAF S, traded up into a 2013 Model S 85, and finally traded into this 2024 Solterra Limited.
The Model S I drove all over the country, and eventually wracked up 192,000mi. I'd like to think I'm a pretty seasoned EV owner, and spend a lot of time researching various offerings, and developments.
Life circumstances change, apartment life being what it is meant no more home charging.
While street parking a Tesla is fine during the summer, after 2 winters here in Central OR, it was clear I'd be better off with something AWD, more resistant to freezing up, and with less miles.
A Model Y was out of the question for me due to Tesla's somewhat limited lease options.
Test drove the ID.4, Ioniq 5/6, and Solterra.
Despite the impressive specs around charging and range, the Hyundai's didn't speak to me from a driving perspective, felt like SUV's from the inside, and sedans on the outside if that makes any sense?
The ID.4 seemed to tick most of the boxes, mostly conventional controls, quality interior, drove well.
Kept coming back to the Solterra, not because of the specs, but just the vehicle as a vehicle, great feeling to drive, very comfortable, put together well, with the better AWD system between the two, a heat-pump, and being a Subaru fan (still have a 2003 WRX) I liked the quirky looks. It felt right.
I did have some concerns about the charging speeds, which the 2024 model year reportedly improved upon, and the range is definitely not class leading.
After putting 1100mi on it in a month, this is where I stand with it...
It's more efficient than advertised, I've averaged 3.6mi per kWh (240'ish miles) with mixed driving, including a trip up to Paulina Peak (7984' elevation). This is with climate control on, and 90F to 109F summer temperatures. I attribute this to the heat-pump system, which makes heating and cooling an EV noticeably more energy efficient.
As far as charging goes, I've been getting 88kWs peak all the way up past 50% on a 150kW EA charger.
Granted the weather is warm so this is probably as good as I'm going to see, but it's still considerably faster than my 2013 Model S. Honestly the worst part is not having access to Tesla's charging network, people are not kidding about public level 3 chargers, they are crowded and flaky.
Bonus feature almost no one mentions, and this is huge for us that don't have home charging.
This car has zero phantom drain while parked, unlike Tesla's, or Rivians which can lose a few percent overnight. This adds up significantly.
Pros:
8.3 inches of ground clearance
True full time AWD, with identical motors front and rear (symmetrical).
Heat pump
ZERO vampire / phantom drain while parked
Wireless Apple Carplay / Android Auto
Actually gets stated range
Comfortable to drive
Subaru / Toyota quality
Looks like the love child from a RAV4 / Forester
Good sound system
Cons:
It's mostly built by Toyota, and their stance towards EV's is concerning
No trip / route planner
Mobile software is janky
Level 2 charging is limited to 6.6kW
No walk away power off, or locking
Subscriptions for everything related to the infotainment
Anyway I may update this after surviving through winter, until then.…
Green value
By Smooth ride | on Sunday, October 13, 2024
5.0
I traded my 2023 Subaru Crosstrek Premium for a 2024 Subaru SOLTERRA Premium and haven’t looked back. The improvement in road handling, speed, pickup and smooth ride is like night and day. I can charge on my 240volt at home with the Subaru charger in six hours and fast charge in 40 minutes at a CMO charging station EVGo or Checkpoint. Safety features are extraordinary in that if you look away for a second you get a notification on the dash. The look and feel is astronomical and I’m just happy. I can’t wait to drive it up to Park City this winter with its powerful AWD.…
Terrible choice for an ev
By Zx670 | on Saturday, September 13, 2025
1.0
There are a couple major flaws in the design of this car but the biggest one that makes this car useless for longer trips is the abysmal charging rates, I am currently on the last leg of a 1200 Mile trip and charging this things is painstakingly slow, this same trip in a has car takes 16 hours, I am currently at 36 hours at driving and charging, for example right now I am at 50 percent charge and the charger is already throttled at 17kwh, every stop has taken 1.5 to 2 hours to get from about 25 percent to 65 percent and exceptionally longer if you try to get to 80 percent, Shame on Toyota and Subaru for releasing this car this way and not releasing a software update to fix it 3 years into the model, totally unacceptable…
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