2024 SUBARU SOLTERRA

 

INFOTAINMENT SYSTEM, BELOW AVERAGE RANGE WORK AGAINST SUBARU’S FIRST EV 

If the results of the annual survey conducted by the research and data firm J.D. Power are on the mark, this may be a good time to buy a new car just based on the quality of what is available.

After two years of decline, the latest J.D. Power Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout (APEAL) Study showed a slight increase in overall buyer satisfaction in the 2024 survey.

“Traditional manufacturers have listened to the Voice of the Customer,” Frank Hanley, senior director of auto benchmarking at J.D. Power, is quoted in a news release from the company.

One area of concern continues, however. One of the lowest scoring areas among the 10 attributes that figure into the overall scoring zeroed in on infotainment systems.

Anybody who jumps from car to car on a weekly basis (such as an auto reviewer) can vouch for that. Infotainment systems may offer a variety of systems nobody dreamed about until probably the 1990s but operation of those systems has become more and more complex.

“Owners struggle to perform simple audio-related tasks,” Hanley said.

The subject of this review, the 2024 Subaru Solterra, serves an example.

A full range of tech features that include wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and navigation are among standard  convenience features, and the high-resolution 12.4-inch touchscreen provides a nice-sized operating platform.

By why oh why didn’t they take advantage of that size to display bigger images and lettering for the audio system so the driver could see at a quick glance what station was tuned to and what artist was playing?

And why couldn’t they provide better contrast for the nav map so you could tell at a glance what side streets were coming up? Main thoroughfares are distinctive enough but the rest of the screen kind of whites out in  the daytime setting. (Yes, I adjusted the brightness and contrast, but it didn’t help.)

All that said, those infotainment quirks aren’t the big thing working against Subaru’s initial venture into the electric car segment. Working against what is a comfortable, functional EV with a well-equipped comfortable cabin is a driving range that comes up short by today’s standards.

Limited and Touring models are good for an 222 miles between charges while the base Premium model provides an additional 5 miles, according to the company. With some competitors offering ranges of over 300 miles, the 2024 Subaru Solterra is at a distinct disadvantage.

Outstanding charging times help, but not that much. Subaru claims you can get the 2024 Subaru Solterra from 10 percent to 80 percent battery capacity in 35 minutes on a fast charger but then range is reduced to less than 200 miles.

On the plus side, the Solterra — the name comes from Latin words for “Sun” and “Earth” — stands out in safety features. 

Subaru’s EyeSight driver assist technologies standard in the Solterra include emergency steering assist, intersection collision avoidance support, pre-collision brake assist, lane departure prevention, and adaptive Cruise control with lane tracing assist.

 

Other standard safety features include blind spot monitors, rear cross-traffic alert, and rear camera detection with pedestrian warning. The standard parking support brake feature can apply the vehicle’s brakes if an obstacle is detected while reversing, and new safe exit assist notifies occupants of approaching vehicles before they exit the vehicle. 

The 2024 Subaru Solterra allows for  hands-free driving at up to 25 mph. With all-wheel drive and 8.3 inches of ground clearance, it’s also good for milder off-roading treks.

Pricing for the 2024 Subaru Solterra starts at $47.340 for the Premium trim and $49,840 for the Limited including destination and delivery.

The Touring model that this review is based on starts at $51995. A few options — $890 for the red and black paint, $187 for all-weather floor liners, and $141 for a cargo tray — and the $1,345 destination and delivery charge ran the final total for my test 2024 Subaru Solterra Touring to $54,558.

What I liked about the 2024 Subaru Solterra Touring: The interior is roomy for passengers and their stuff when traveling (not likely far though with the limited range). It earns top safety ratings with the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) making it a Top Safety Pick. The 360-degree panoramic view monitor provides an overhead view to help in maneuvering in tight spaces.

What I didn’t like about the 2024 Subaru Solterra Touring: In what is a first for me in nearly 25 years of doing reviews, there is no glove box! The bin in the console has a hidden compartment for extra storage. Driving range is comes up short.

Would I buy the 2024 Subaru Solterra Touring? It would need at least 50 more miles of driving range for me to consider it, which is a shame because it has some attractive attributes.