Car and Driver put the Solterra through its full instrumented test regimen and came away underwhelmed. The EPA range of 228 miles and a peak DC fast-charging rate of roughly 100 kW place it far behind class leaders like the Hyundai Ioniq 5, Kia EV6, and Tesla Model Y. C/D measured a 0–60 mph time in the mid-6-second range, which is adequate but unremarkable, and they found the acceleration tuning oddly rubber-bandy. The cabin shows heavy Toyota bZ4X influence, and rear-seat space is tight for the segment, especially with the available fixed glass roof. On the positive side, the standard all-wheel drive provides excellent grip, the ride is absorbent, and the interior is logically laid out. However, with slow charging, modest range, and no standout features, C/D rated it 5.5 out of 10—near the bottom of the compact EV class and difficult to recommend over sharper, more capable rivals.

MotorTrend's first-drive review of the 2023 Solterra emphasized that Subaru's debut EV is essentially a Toyota bZ4X with Subaru-tuned suspension and unique body panels. The ride quality drew praise: the Solterra absorbs bumps smoothly and feels quiet at highway speeds. The standard all-wheel-drive system, combined with Subaru's X-Mode off-road settings, gives it genuine light-trail capability, a rarity among EVs. But MotorTrend was critical of the driving dynamics, which feel detached and numb, and the absence of a true one-pedal driving mode—regen maxes out at a modest level. The interior is functional but borrows heavily from Toyota's design language, including a quirky infotainment layout. The biggest knock, however, is charging: a 100-kW peak rate and no battery preconditioning mean long road trips involve lengthy stops. MotorTrend's overall tone is lukewarm: a competent, comfortable crossover that underwhelms as an electric vehicle.