Subaru Solterra (2026MY Facelift)

The Subaru Solterra, the Subaru version of the Toyota bZ4X all-electric crossover, has gained its minor change following the Toyota bZ4X's facelift a few moments ago. Let's find out how much improvement this revised version has.

2026 Subaru Solterra

2026 Subaru Solterra

Starting at 5.17 million yen plus additional costs, the updated Subaru Solterra is all about reintroducing to the public the Subaru equivalent of the recently facelifted Toyota bZ4X, which is now available for private ownership. Compared to the Toyota equivalent, the updated Solterra features an updated front face that is crisp and fresh compared to the pre-facelift version. At the back, what a surprise. Subaru ditched the logo in favor of the SUBARU lettering, just like every Subaru model made from the 1990s.

2026 Subaru Solterra interior

While the exterior design's been revised to keep it fresh for its potential owners, it's the new interior layout that makes a statement. Pity that Subaru canned the option to have a yoke in it (boo...), but amid the dashboard changes, the boot space is still good for 452 liters with the rear seats present.

2026 Subaru Solterra

The EV powertrain gets a shakeup for the recent facelift. The front-wheel-drive ET-SS features a 73kWh battery with 224PS of power and 746km of driving range. The alpha of the range is the 4WD ET-HS with the same 73kWh battery but with an extra electric motor, producing a powerful 342PS and 687km of driving range.

The shakeup of the Solterra's powertrain is thanks to its new eAxle with silicon carbide semiconductors for greater efficiency and higher power while also being lighter and more compact.

For a car that weighs over two tons, the Solterra behaves like a normal crossover daily thanks to its Rack and Pinion steering, front struts, rear double wishbones, and ventilated disc brakes. It's not an enjoyable ride as expected, but it feels nice to drive and downright as regular as a regular show.

In terms of safety, the Solterra is packed with safety features such as Pre-Crash Safety, Blind Spot Monitor, and Advanced Park, among many others.

So, there you have it. If you want a Toyota bZ4X but your nearest dealership is a Subaru, the updated Solterra is your bet. With its updated EV powertrain and crisp design, the new Solterra is about taking a different approach to its familiar formula.

Photo: Subaru Corporation

Suzuki e VITARA vs Toyota bZ4X

For the first time ever, Suzuki has launched its first-ever EV, the e VITARA. So, what's it all about, the Suzuki e-VITARA?

2026 Suzuki e VITARA

Starting at 3,993,000 Japanese Yen plus additional costs, the Suzuki e VITARA is the company's first electric vehicle as it braces the electrification trend that most carmakers are embracing in this unstable era we live in. It goes without saying that this is the fourth time Suzuki has imported this from India's Maruti Suzuki production line. Long before its arrival, the currently available India-made Suzukis sold in Japan are the Fronx and the 5-door Jimny Nomade.

2026 Suzuki e VITARA

2026 Suzuki e VITARA interior

Beginning with the styling, the e VITARA draws inspiration from the eVX Concept, albeit with some notable differences. Yes, the back and the sidelines mimic the concept's looks; the front face didn't adopt the eVX's front and went for a front similar to a certain not-for-Japan Toyota SUV from a long time ago. Long story short, but you have to give credit to the design team for such a simple but rugged look.

Inside, the e VITARA's dashboard bears an auspiciously similar appearance to the pre-facelifted Kia Sorento MQ4 of 2020. Appearances aside, the driver's side is packed with ambient lighting with multi-color illumination, a 26.04cm multi-information display that combines the virtual instrumental panel and the touch-screen sat-nav system, a twin deck floating console with Shift-by-Wire, and a wireless charger, among others. On the passenger side, because it's bigger than a Daihatsu Rocky, the boot space is a default 310 liters with the rear seats present and up to 1052 liters with all passenger seats folded.

2026 Suzuki e VITARA

Running on a newly developed HEARTECT-e platform made exclusively for BEVs, the e VITARA offers two battery packs. The entry-level front-wheel-drive X variant is equipped with a 49kWh LFP battery that produces 144PS of power, 193Nm of torque, and up to 433km of driving range. The range-topping 4WD Z variant features a 61kWh LFP battery and an extra electric motor, producing 184PS of power, 307Nm of torque, and 472km of driving range, although the FF Z variant with the said battery minus the extra motor can do it in 520km.

Bringing common sense to its drivability, the e VITARA comes with Rack & Pinion Power Steering, front MacPherson struts, rear multilink suspension, and ventilated disc brakes. It behaves normally as a front-wheel-drive variant, but with the ALLGRIP-e for the 4WD Z variant, it performs like a beast, just as the Indians said upon experiencing it firsthand. As for safety, Level 2 ADAS features are present as well as familiar safety features such as high tensile steel strength, tire pressure monitoring system, 360-view camera, parking sensors, electronic parking brake, and brake hold.

From concept turned reality, the e VITARA is all about its polyhedral muscular stance, futuristic and spacious cabin, it performs like a beast, and safety beyond imagination. This is what Suzuki's first EV sums up, but can it keep up against Toyota's first EV, the bZ4X?

2026 Toyota bZ4X

Formely a lease-only car that you can still rent via the KINTO subscription service, the new Toyota bZ4X is now ripe for private ownership, starting at 4,800,000 Japanese Yen plus additional costs.

2026 Toyota bZ4X

2026 Toyota bZ4X interior

The facelifted bZ4X is now officially available for ownership, although you can still lease one via KINTO if you want.

While the exterior design's been revised to keep it fresh for its potential owners, it's the new interior layout that makes a statement. Pity that Toyota canned the option to have a yoke in it (boo...), but amid the dashboard changes, the boot space is still good for 452 liters with the rear seats present.

The EV powertrain gets a shakeup for the recent facelift. The entry-level G model features a 58kWh Lithium battery packing 167PS of power and 544km. The front-wheel-drive Z, meanwhile, features a 73kWh battery with 224PS of power and 687km of driving range. The alpha of the range is the 4WD Z lineup with the same 73kWh battery but with an extra electric motor, producing a powerful 342PS and 687km of driving range.

The shakeup of the bZ4X's powertrain is thanks to its new eAxle with silicon carbide semiconductors for greater efficiency and higher power while also being lighter and more compact.

For a car that weighs over two tons, the bZ4X behaves like a normal crossover on a daily basis thanks to its Rack and Pinion steering, front struts, rear double wishbones, and ventilated disc brakes. It's not an enjoyable ride as expected, but it feels nice to drive and downright as regular as a regular show.

In terms of safety, the bZ4X is packed with safety features such as Pre-Crash Safety, Blind Spot Monitor, and Toyota Teammate Advanced Park, among many others.

To get the most out of the new bZ4X, this car is qualified for TEEMO, a new charging service that begins at Toyota and Lexus dealerships with a rich network Japan-wide. No admission fee is required, and the monthly basic fee is free. The required cost is only for the time you actually use it, so there is no charge for the month you do not use TEEMO. The TEEMO service is not limited only to Toyota and Lexus EVs like the new bZ4X but also to EVs from most manufacturers. In addition, TEEMO members can also use e-Mobility Power-linked chargers across Japan.

So, which one would you choose? The first-ever Suzuki e VITARA for its reasonable price and sizing, or the updated Toyota bZ4X that poses greater value and user-friendliness? Can't say which, but if it's value you want, it's the Suzuki e VITARA, but if you want everything for an EV crossover, go stick with the Toyota bZ4X that you can now fully own.

Photo: Suzuki Motor Corporation/Toyota Motor Corporation

Subaru Solterra

The Toyota bZ4x signaled the start of Toyota's electric offense with its concept-inspired looks, minimalist interior, game-changing electric powertrain, and advanced safety features. The main problem is you can't fully own it because you'll have to lease it to drive it for a month. If you want a bZ4x you can fully own, you'll have to make do with its Subaru equivalent, the Solterra.

2023 Subaru Solterra

Starting at 5,995,000 Japanese Yen plus additional costs, the first-ever Subaru Soltera is the company's first electric vehicle, which is a nuisance for purists who are moaning over the death of the WRX STi. Because this is the latest vehicle to spawn from the Toyota-Subaru partnership since the defunct Ractis-Trezia and the recent GR86-BRZ, the Solterra features bits and bobs identical to its lease-only bZ4x twin.

2023 Subaru Solterra

With the name coming out from a Capcom video game, the Solterra's styling is hugely identical to its bZ4x twin except for the front view which differentiates it from its Toyota twin. As expected, both the bZ4x and the Solterra are like the coupe versions of the Toyota RAV4 when you look harder at their designs because of their sloping roofline and high ground clearance but needless to say, they're proof that they're ready to roam the open world like superheroes because SUVs and superhero movies sell big-time.

2023 Subaru Solterra interior

Like the bZ4x, the Solterra's interior is part minimalist and part user-friendly, meaning the dashboard's very easy to use despite being too small for drivers with cataracts to read it. The driver's side is positioned below the dashboard like a Peugeot but because this is bigger than the Peugeot, it almost doesn't feel cramped. The addition of paddle shifters is a bit of a show-off inside because why would you need one in an electric car that has one working gear? No one knows.

While it can accommodate up to five people, the boot space is good for up to 475L for the entry-level ET-SS variant, meaning it's good enough for almost all walks of life, be it for work or for road trips with family or friends as long as nothing's ruining its sweet spot. There's even an electrical outlet to plug in your everyday devices like your laptop or your tiny HD TV you bought from the flea market.

2023 Subaru Solterra

Running on the new e-TNGA platform and a 71.4kWh battery, the Solterra, like the bZ4x, is offered in two different configurations; with the front-wheel-drive variant producing 150kW of power and has a range of 567km while the four-wheel-drive variant, armed with X-MODE which is almost useful for tarmac, gravel, and snow, features two 80kW electric motors that powers both front and rear wheels and they're good for 542km based on WLTC mode standards.

For a car that weighs over two tons, the Solterra behaves like a normal crossover on a daily basis thanks to its Rack and Pinion steering, front struts, rear double wishbones, and ventilated disc brakes. It's not an enjoyable ride as expected but it feels nice to drive and downright as regular as a regular show.

In terms of safety, the Solterra, like the bZ4x, is packed with safety features such as Pre-Crash Safety, Blind Spot Monitor, and Toyota Teammate Advanced Park, among many others.

The Solterra may have the same bits and bobs as the Toyota bZ4x but unlike the Toyota equivalent, you can fully own the Solterra if you really want to. Despite bearing a Capcom-ish name and being another treason to the Subaru heritage like the rear-wheel-drive BRZ, the Solterra is proof that Subaru is ready for the age of the new society.

Available colors: Black, Platinum White Pearl Mica, Dark Blue Mica, Emotional Red 2, Precious Metal, Hyper Mist Gray Pearl, Platinum White Pearl Mica/Black, Dark Blue Mica/Black, Emotional Red 2/Black, Precious Metal/Black, and Hyper Mist Gray Pearl/Black.

Photo: Subaru Corporation