When you think of an electric vehicle (EV), the image typically involves a sleek, bullet-like sedan in an icy white clearcoat gliding down an urban street, dramatic LED headlights slicing through the early evening darkness as passersby look on in wonder. EVs are futuristic and modern, right? Not so fast, says Subaru. Not all EV buyers want high drama; for some, it’s all about efficiency and toughness. For these buyers, Subaru offers the 2023 Solterra.
Finding a Subaru Solterra for sale is your first step toward a capable EV that can tackle New York winters and stay charged no matter how low the mercury dips. Combining Subaru’s legendary Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive with the practicality of a more traditional crossover design eliminates the fluff that comes with marquee brands that look better than they perform, leaving only the capability Rhinebeck drivers need to stay mobile in any weather.
Owning a 2023 Subaru Solterra comes with a long list of tangible benefits, beginning with a critical one – affordability. With MPGe ratings of up to 94 MPGe on the highway and 114 MPGe in the city and low maintenance requirements for vehicles that don’t run on combustion engine power, ownership costs stay low. If you’re itching to transition to the EV lifestyle but worry about everyday reliability and performance in inclement weather, Subaru has an answer: the dynamic 2023 Solterra. Many New Yorkers have already discovered why this electrified Subaru lives up to the brand’s reputation for building safe, reliable, and capable vehicles. Here are five reasons you should consider a Solterra.
#1. Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive
A Subaru isn’t a Subaru without standard Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive (unless it’s a go-fast BRZ), so the legendary automaker’s first task when designing its first-ever all-electric model was ensuring that the electric powertrain wouldn’t interfere with the vehicle’s signature feature. With standard Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive across the trim range, Subaru ensured that its first EV would fit squarely in the lineup and live up to the brand’s reputation for capability.
The Solterra’s all-wheel drive capability is enhanced with X-MODE drive modes. Drivers can toggle between multiple drive modes, including Snow/Dirt and Deep Snow/Mud, to tackle varying terrain and road conditions. Each drive mode automatically adjusts the throttle, braking, and steering to meet challenging conditions, from that newly fallen layer of fresh snow to the mud puddles that appear on every street corner come spring. Even on a perfect sunny summer afternoon with the Drive Mode set to Power, that scenic drive along the Hudson River is more enjoyable, thanks to the Solterra’s all-wheel drive architecture seamlessly adjusting to optimize ride handling.
#2. Driving Range
Subaru understands that many would-be EV buyers hesitate due to “range anxiety.” Concerns about getting stranded on the side of the road far from a working charger stop many buyers from moving forward. Luckily, the 2023 Solterra delivers 228 miles of range, enough to take you to and from Manhattan without stopping to charge your battery. Best of all, the Solterra’s 72.8kWh battery pack and onboard 6.6-kWh charger can fully recharge in as little as one hour.
The Solterra achieves a combined 104 MPGe and comes with Level 1 and Level 2 – or DC Fast Charging – charging capability. Plugged into a standard 120V outlet, your Solterra will achieve a full charge overnight while you sleep. While on the road, you can plug into a Level 2 charger and capture an almost 100 percent battery charge in about an hour. Installing a 240V Level 2 charger in your garage is easy, and finding an electrician who knows how is even easier now that more and more Rhinebeck-area residents are opting for an EV.
#3. Subaru’s Legendary Commitment to Safety
The 2023 Solterra is infused with a suite of driver-assist safety technologies designed to keep you aware, alert, and out of harm’s way, whether you’re hitting the road for a weekend of camping at Mills Norrie State Park or an afternoon of errands that starts at the Rhinebeck Farmers Market. EyeSight Driver Assist Technology comes standard on all 2023 Solterra trims and uses radar, cameras, and sensors to constantly monitor the area around your vehicle and alert you to potential hazards.
Dynamic Radar Cruise Control leads off the list of EyeSight systems and works by automatically adjusting your speed to align with current traffic conditions and maintain a consistent and safe distance from the vehicle ahead. Pre-Collision System and Pre-Collision Braking work by alerting you when a collision is possible. If necessary, the system will automatically apply emergency braking to avoid or minimize the severity of a crash. Lane Departure Alert and Lane Tracing Assist work by letting you know when you’re drifting out of your lane and applying gentle steering nudges to correct the drift.
#4. Reliability and Toughness, With a Side of Elegance
Cruising over uneven terrain or chunks of ice and snow is a breeze with the Solterra’s standard 8.3 inches of ground clearance. Even navigating an unexpected pothole becomes less stressful with the extra ground clearance, which minimizes the chance that you’ll bottom out and potentially damage critical components. Combined with X-MODE, the truck-like ground clearance gets you through – and to – all your weekend adventures, no matter the weather.
Because the Solterra runs exclusively on battery power, you’ll also have access to instant torque for lightning-fast acceleration to highway speeds and low-range power when the going gets rough. Regenerative braking is part of the EV powertrain, so you’ll charge on the go whenever you reduce your speed. The Solterra sits on Subaru’s most rigid platform ever built, the e-Subaru Global Platform. It’s reinforced for crash protection and has crumple zones around the cabin to absorb the energy from a crash away from occupants.
#5. Manageably Modern Styling and Plenty of Tech
Though many EVs embrace futuristic styling with minimalist cabins and digitized displays, Subaru maintains a thread of tradition in the 2023 Solterra. Styled like a sporty crossover, the Solterra features an angular design with a sloped, hatchback-style rear end. With nine exterior color options, buyers will have no trouble customizing the look of their Solterra to their individual tastes.
Modern technology meets classic Subaru design in the cabin, with a digital gauge cluster set at the driver’s eyeline and a large infotainment touchscreen – 8 inches on the base Premium and 12.3 inches on the Limited and Touring – sits center-dash within easy reach. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard on all three trims, as are heated front seats to take the chill out of those cold Rhinebeck winter mornings.
Join the All-Electric Revolution With the Subaru Solterra
New Yorkers contend with some wild weather. Rhinebeck residents know that surviving winter requires a vehicle that can tackle extreme cold, snow, sleet, and ice. It’s no wonder Subaru is one of the most popular brands in the Northeast region. For drivers looking to get in on the EV lifestyle without sacrificing capability, the 2023 Subaru Solterra is the answer. Combining class-leading safety, reliability, and capability with a zero-emissions powertrain, the Solterra offers EV buyers a leg up on nasty weather days.
The Solterra’s electric powertrain means you’ll say goodbye to gas stations forever, saving time and money. Not only that, but you’ll be embracing an environmentally friendly lifestyle that eliminates carbon emissions. Winter will be here before you know it, so make sure you’re ready for whatever Mother Nature doles out – grab your 2023 Subaru Solterra. It’s the more capable antidote to flashier EVs.