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Yeah, but the Solterra also looked kinda weird, like a high-school science project. Forget that! It now has a sleek new front end with new LED lighting.

OK, but where’s the Tesla Supercharger compatible NACS charge port? It’s right there, standard from the factory.

Ensconced in the driver’s seat, gazing out at the 14-inch digital centre screen, I reflect that those Debbie Downers do not have much to complain about now.

And the numbers tell the story, too. The 2026 Solterra uses a new 77 kWh lithium-ion battery, which is bigger than the one it replaces (72.8 kWh). It works with front- (167 kW) and rear-mounted (88 kW) electric motors. Power output is up 57 per cent.

The new battery will also charge from 10 per cent to 80 per cent in roughly 30 minutes on a DC fast charger, which is about half the time needed for the previous Solterra.

Then there’s the design update. Styling is subjective, but I think the 2026 Solterra is a lot more appealing than its predecessor. The front fascia is new, which Subaru says is reflective of a unique EV identity it’s creating. This look should become more apparent when two all-new EVs join the Solterra in Subaru’s lineup in 2026.

The 2026 Solterra receives new LED headlights and daytime running lights, a lit front emblem, and available colour-matched front fender garnishes. As the fascia is, the Solterra’s lighting will be shared across Subaru’s EV model range.

For wheels, 18- and 20-inch sizes are available, with the 20-inch standard on the top-level AWD with Technology trim, which is the one I drove in Colorado. (Of note, the pre-production unit was a U.S. market model. I mention this because my test vehicle’s dark blue (Midnight Tide Mica), along with bright red, will not be offered in Canada. A shame, as these colours are quite pretty.) The colours Canada gets — black, white, grey, and a light blue called Harbour Mist Grey — all return from the 2024 model year. (Subaru didn’t sell a 2025 Solterra in Canada.) White and grey are also available in two-tone (black trim), while Harbour Mist Grey comes with standard black trim.

Inside the cabin, Subaru has boosted the Solterra’s tech offering with a 14-inch multimedia touchscreen, which features new software and a revamped user interface. It looks great and I found it easy to use. If the screen looks familiar, there could be a reason for this: the Solterra and Toyota bZ are essentially the same vehicle and share many parts, including this screen.

The Solterra has handy convenience features, such as dual wireless chargers on the centre console, two USB-C ports up front and two in the rear seating area. It also supports wireless and wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. I like the fact the centre console bin opens from the driver or passenger side. There’s even a 120-volt outlet in the trunk. Very handy.

There’s a lot to like here. The cabin is comfortable and well appointed. The design update has sanded off the Solterra’s oddball EV looks. Combined with more power and range, and available tech, this is an attractive EV.

The Technology Package trim model I drove is comfortable, quite peppy on the road, and even has some decent off-road capability. Not a rock-crawler, but it’s good on soft roads of the loose gravel or hard-packed dirt variety … the kind you might encounter going to the cottage.

The only fly in the ointment I see here is pricing. It hadn’t been released at time of writing. The 2024 Solterra had a starting price north of $56K. And the AWD with Technology model was above $63K. The absence of EV rebates has hit EV sales hard in Canada. The return of a federal rebate is vital to help spur greater adoption, but its timing is uncertain, as the federal government has stepped back from its 2026 EV target.

While Subaru Canada says it will hold the line on pricing, all the improvements in the 2026 Solterra will surely come at a cost. The question is how much.

But on its merits, the 2026 Solterra is a much better car than the one it replaces. Its wimpy days are truly over.