Subaru NZ has announced details of its first all-electric vehicle, the Solterra, which will be available here in two variants.

The All-Wheel-Drive SUV is landing here in December, with a starting price of $79,990 while the Touring version is priced from $84,990.

The Solterra features 18” alloy wheels, a 10-way power driver’s seat, front seat heaters and a power rear tailgate. 

The Touring version adds 20” alloy wheels, wireless phone charging, memory driver and passenger seats, leather upholstery, Harman Kardon speakers, plus a heated steering wheel and rear seats.

For those Solterra Touring drivers wanting to stand out, there is a two-tone exterior colour option (in either Harbour Mist Grey with a black roof, or Platinum White Pearl with a black roof) for $85,990.

Powered by two electric motors producing 160kW, the Solterra variant will have a range of 465km, while the Solterra Touring’s range is 414km. 

Managing Director of Inchcape New Zealand and Subaru New Zealand, Wallis Dumper, says the wait for Solterra has been worth it.

“The best performances are never rushed, and Subaru Corporation has taken the time to develop an electric SUV worthy of wearing the Subaru badge. We are thrilled that the $79,990 Solterra model will be eligible for the Clean Car Discount Rebate. We cannot wait to see the first Solterras heading home with Kiwi owners in December,” he said.

“Our All-Wheel Drive Solterra will allow us to take electric to places it’s never been able to reach before. Like all our Subaru SUV models, both Solterra variants feature the X-Mode AWD control system that enhances the sense of security on rough roads,” said Dumper.

Solterra also benefits from the new Grip Control function, which enables the vehicle to run at a constant speed while stabilising the SUV.

Dumper says Subaru’s future focus is on durability, better tech and more space.

“Sitting roughly size-wise between a Forester and Outback, Solterra is spacious enough for family adventures, powerful enough to take on the most remotely beautiful corners of Subaru country and has enough range to get to where you’d rather be.”

The Solterra - named by combining the Latin words for ‘sun’ and ‘earth’- is built on the e-Subaru Global Platform, which is a new All-Wheel Drive, all-electric vehicle architecture. 

The Solterra EV brings the Subaru brand’s trusted reliability, state-of-the-art safety technology, and legendary All-Wheel Drive engineering to an environmentally responsible all-electric SUV.

Dumper advises: “With Solterra pre-orders already filling up fast, now is the time to make sure you have one secured because initial stock of both variants will be limited.”