In addition to its appearance at the 2024 Montreal Electric Vehicle Show, the 2024 Subaru Solterra was presented this week with the aim of showing off the modifications made to the EV for its second year on the market.
These changes reflect the automaker’s desire to listen to feedback from the industry’s most loyal customer base. They probably also reflect the realization that the Solterra is in the middle of a tug-of-war in the growing all-electric compact SUV segment.
Subaru Solterra 2024, new steering wheel | Photo: D.Boshouwers
Subaru Solterra 2024 – what’s new?
The most noticeable change is the new flat-bottom (and top) steering wheel. These changes follow complaints that some drivers had difficulty seeing all the driver gauges, which in this model are supposed to be visible on the steering wheel.
Subaru also made the front passenger seat electrically adjustable for height. In addition, this seat can now be placed almost flat towards the rear, allowing long items to be stored from the trunk to the dashboard if necessary.
Subaru Solterra 2024, siège passenger | Photo: D.Boshouwers
On the roof, lowered roof bars, previously reserved for top versions, are now standard from the base model.
Subaru has also taken into account some “constructive” comments about charging, which explains the presence of a new charging cable with two plugs in the port, which now allows Charging with Level 2 software in the best DC charging times, promises Subaru. The previous limit of one or two charges per day at a DC charger has been relaxed (thanks to a software change), so users can now charge at one of these speed stations four times a day .
Other new features include a new driver-facing camera, which can monitor the driver’s attention level and can be used in emergency situations. This camera also allows the integration of the Traffic Jam Assist system, which makes it easier to drive without touching certain roads with limited access when driving at less than 40 km/h. This is a first for Subaru, and it should be noted that this system requires a subscription to the Subaru navigation system.
One two-tone color option has been replaced by another. So the Elemental Red option is gone and replaced with a Smoke Carbon/Black combo.
Subaru Soltera 2024, profile | Photo: D.Boshouwers
2024 Subaru Solterra Award
The starting price for the base Solterra AWD model is set for 2024 at $56,495, $2,000 more than in 2023. Adding the Luxury package increases the cost by $4,500, while the Technology package adds $7,000 to the base starting price. Which gives this:
- – Subaru Solterra AWD 2024 – $56,495
- – Subaru Soltera and Luxe 2024 – $60,995
- – Subaru Soltera and Technology 2024 – $63,495
Solterra therefore remains eligible for all federal and provincial incentives applicable to EVs in Canada.
Subaru Solterra 2024, avant | Photo: D.Boshouwers
Subaru Solterra 2024, trois quarts avant | Photo: D.Boshouwers