New Subaru Solterra EV
The recently revealed 2026 Subaru Solterra electric SUV is a marked improvement over the outgoing car. The new Solterra, while still equipped with the dual-motor all-wheel-drive system, now boasts a new 74.7 kWh battery that pushes its EPA-estimated range up to 288 miles from the 227 miles of the outgoing model. It also gets Tesla Supercharger compatibility with a new NACS charging port, and Subaru hasn’t even raised prices, with the 2026 car still starting at $38,495. The bigger news, however, is the updated Toyota-sourced powertrain, with 338 horsepower and 323 lb-ft of torque on tap, up from 215 hp and 249 lb-ft, and a claimed 0-60 mph time of ‘less than five seconds’. It was only a matter of time till someone put this to the test.
Fastest Accelerating Subaru Ever?
When the rubber hit the road, the Solterra came out on top and is now the quickest Subaru ever tested by Car and Driver, beating out the likes of the BRZ tS and even the WRX STI S209 and its 341-hp turbocharged engine in the 0 to 60 mph dash. The Subaru Solterra Touring XT put on test completed the sprint in 4.3 seconds, beating out the 2019 STI S207 by a tenth of a second. The BRZ tS posted a time of 5.5 seconds when tested. The WRX STI S209 was, however, still quicker to 100 mph, getting to triple digits in 11.2 seconds, while the Solterra took 11.8 seconds. The BRZ tS hit the ton in 13.7 seconds.
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In the quarter-mile standings, the BRZ tS crossed the line in 14 seconds with a terminal speed of 101 mph, while both the Solterra and STI S209 completed the distance in 13 seconds. It was a tough battle, though, with the Solterra and its instantaneous torque getting the jump off the line, but ultimately being held back by its electronically-limited 101 mph top speed, which allowed the WRX to just about catch up at the finish.
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Faster Subaru Electrics in the Pipeline
With the Japanese brand having hinted at a possible return for performance-inclined STI models, the 2026 Subaru Solterra may not hold this record for very long. The upcoming Uncharted EV is the most apparent threat, being smaller and lighter than the Solterra, but equipped with the same powertrain.
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