The fully electric 2024 Subaru Solterra is Subaru's very first fully electric vehicle in its range. The Forester and Outback are very popular vehicles for families because of their very generous legroom and boot space they're a winner for families. Let's see how the fully electric Solterra fares as a BabyDrive and put it through our family car testing with Infasecure child seats and Thule prams…
BabyDrive Verdict
This five-seater electric SUV is said to have a range of up to 485 km. Like the Subaru BRZ and Toyota GR86 sports cars, this Subaru shares A LOT with the Toyota version, which is called bZ4X EV (as well as the Lexus RZ). I've also driven both of those and they are identical in many ways including the complete lack of glove box! Let's see if Subaru's version lives up to its brand promise as a practical car for families…
When it comes to installing child seats in the 2024 Subaru Solterra EV, there are ISOFix points in both outer rear seats. They are not within plastic guides, but they are nice and easy to connect to and clearly labelled.
All three rear seatbacks have top tether anchorages, which are clearly labelled and easily accessible through the boot.
The three Infasecure child seats I tested fit nicely across the rear seats of the 2024 Subaru Solterra. I installed the Infasecure Achieve More and Infasecure Momentum More, both forward-facing and the Infasecure Cocoon Go Infant Capsule, rear-facing behind the driver.
Three child seats fit really comfortably in the back with good legroom for rear passengers, too. The rear footwell is flat, so there is plenty of kick room, and it's easy for little passengers to move around to get in and out of their seats. We could fit a 180cm driver in front of the rear-facing Infasecure Cocoon Go.
The Solterra's rear occupants are kept comfortable with air conditioning vents, so rear passengers can stay comfortable while driving. There are also USB-C sockets for charging their devices and heated seats for adults and big kids.
Rear passengers have good storage in the Subaru Solterra with cup holders in a fold-down armrest in the central seat back. Coffee cups and kids' drink cups fit well and there is a well for storing a phone or kids snacks!
There are map pockets on the back of the front seats. They are large enough to hold and conceal an iPad, and they house the manual as there is no glove box in the Subaru Solterra.
The rear door bins in the Solterra will hold two refillable water bottles, and there is storage in the handle wells.
In the front of the 2024 Subaru Solterra, the door bins will hold a wallet and iPad with the water bottle.
The central console has two cup holders, each holding a reusable or disposable coffee cup. Behind the cup holders is a large central console box. In front of the cup holders is a phone tray with a retractable lid.
Underneath the central console bridge is a great storage area for an iPad or wallet. There's also a shelf for phones and USB, USB-C, and 12V charging sockets.
There is no glove box in the Subaru Solterra! It is the strangest thing to get used to but you can see the similarity here with the Toyota bZ4X and Lexus RZ.
The Solterra's boot has good storage. The boot floor is nice and flat with a rubber floor mat. Great for transporting a medium-sized family dog or an emergency nappy change.
When empty, the 2024 Subaru Solterra's boot space fits fourteen shopping bags, which is comparable to the Tesla Model Y‘s fifteen, the Kia Niro that holds eleven, the Volvo XC40 holding twelve, and the Kia EV6 holding thirteen.
The Thule Sleek, future-proof, multi-configuration pram with a single seat…
…will fit in the Solterra boot with seven shopping bags.
The Thule Sleek, future-proof, multi-configuration pram with two sibling seats…
…will fit in the boot of the 2024 Subaru Solterra with five shopping bags.
The Thule Sleek, future-proof, multi-configuration pram with a single seat and bassinet beside it…
will fit in the boot of the 2024 Subaru Solterra with no shopping bags
… with the back wheels removed, it will fit in the boot of the 2024 Solterra with three shopping bags.
The Thule Spring, lightweight and one-handed folding stroller…
… fits in the boot of the Subaru Solterra with eight shopping bags.
The Subaru Solterra's boot can also accommodate a 90L, a 70L and two 40L Thule Chasm duffle bags.
You can put a medium-sized dog in the boot of the Subaru Solterra.
The Subaru Solterra has a clear media screen that is easy to navigate using the icons down the right-hand side. It's different to the layout of other Subarus as it's based on Toyota's system.
It has Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, which allows you to access your phone's messaging, navigation, and listening apps while driving.
You can customise many aspects of the car, including the sound, so those with noise-sensitive kids can turn things down or off.
You can also customise the car's driver and safety assist system to turn off the ones you don't want. Also, create a charging schedule too.
The Solterra has a built-in Sat-Nav.
When you put the Solterra in reverse, the camera images are lovely and clear and fill the screen. There is a birds-eye camera view…
… as well as other views…
… and there's a 3D surround camera too.
The climate and heated seat controls are on the main dash below the media screen. This fixed position makes them easy to use and change while driving.
The steering wheel in the 2024 Subaru Solterra is a bit of a funny shape! It's like they have gone for a Peugeot 2008-style wheel, but it doesn't feel as good ergonomically. With woven upholstery and dash, the interior doesn't feel up to Subarus's usual calibre.
The Solterra is a nippy drive, and being fully electric, you have the great benefits of driving your kids to school or sleep and sitting while your kids nap or waiting at pickup with the aircon running without chewing through fuel or polluting the air around you.
With three Infasecure child seats in the back of the 2024 Subaru Solterra, visibility is excellent over the top of them, and the surround camera is great.
Overall, the 2024 Subaru Solterra makes a very practical and fun BabyDrive for those looking for an electric family car. Three Infasecure child seats fit in the back, legroom is good, and the boot can hold a double Thule Urban Glide 3 pram.
Dual frontal, side chest-protecting and side head-protecting (curtain) airbags are standard. A centre airbag which provides added protection to front seat occupants in side impact crashes is also standard
BabyDrive Indepth
BabyDrive Indepth - Storage
How big is the boot of the 2024 Subaru Solterra?
The Solterra's boot has good storage. The boot floor is nice and flat, with a rubber floor mat. It is great for transporting a medium-sized family dog or an emergency nappy change when you're out and about.
When empty, the 2024 Subaru Solterra's boot space fits fourteen shopping bags, which is comparable to the Tesla Model Y‘s fifteen, the Kia Niro that holds eleven, the Volvo XC40 holding twelve, and the Kia EV6 holding thirteen.
The Thule Sleek, future-proof, multi-configuration pram with a single seat…
…will fit in the Solterra boot with seven shopping bags.
The Thule Sleek, future-proof, multi-configuration pram with two sibling seats…
…will fit in the boot of the 2024 Subaru Solterra with five shopping bags.
The Thule Sleek, future-proof, multi-configuration pram with a single seat and bassinet beside it…
will fit in the boot of the 2024 Subaru Solterra with no shopping bags
… with the back wheels removed, it will fit in the boot of the 2024 Solterra with three shopping bags.
The Thule Spring, lightweight and one-handed folding stroller…
… fits in the boot of the Subaru Solterra with eight shopping bags.
The Subaru Solterra's boot can also accommodate a 90L, a 70L and two 40L Thule Chasm duffle bags.
You can put a medium-sized dog in the boot of the Subaru Solterra.
How good is storage in the 2024 Subaru Solterra?
In the front of the 2024 Subaru Solterra, the door bins will hold a wallet and iPad with the water bottle.
The central console has two cup holders, each holding a reusable or disposable coffee cup. Behind the cup holders is a large central console box. In front of the cup holders is a phone tray with a retractable lid.
Underneath the central console bridge is a great storage area for an iPad or wallet. There's also a shelf for phones and USB, USB-C, and 12V charging sockets.
There is no glove box in the Subaru Solterra! It is the strangest thing to get used to!
Rear passengers have good storage in the Subaru Solterra with cup holders in a fold-down armrest in the central seat back. Coffee cups and kids' drink cups fit well and there is a well for storing a phone or kids snacks!
There are map pockets on the back of the front seats. They are large enough to hold and conceal an iPad, and they house the manual as there is no glove box in the Subaru Solterra.
The rear door bins in the Solterra will hold two refillable water bottles, and there is storage in the handle wells.
BabyDrive Indepth - Noise
How noisy is the 2024 Subaru Solterra, and how easy is the media screen to use?
Being fully electric, the Subaru Solterra is not a noisy car to drive; it is lovely, quiet and smooth. You can drive your kids to sleep and sit with the aircon running if you get caught out with a napping child without churning through fuel, polluting the local environment and no noisy engine.
The Subaru Solterra has a clear media screen that is easy to navigate using the icons down the right-hand side.
It has Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, which allows you to access your phone's messaging, navigation, and listening apps while driving.
You can customise many aspects of the car, including the sound, so those with noise-sensitive kids can turn things down or off.
You can also customise the car's driver and safety assist system to turn off the ones you don't want. Also, create a charging schedule too.
The Solterra has a built-in Sat-Nav.
When you put the Solterra in reverse, the camera images are lovely and clear and fill the screen. There is a birds-eye camera view…
… as well as other views…
… and there's a 3D surround camera too.
The climate and heated seat controls are on the main dash below the media screen. This fixed position makes them easy to use and change while driving.
The Solterra's indicator sound is not too loud, so it did not disturb my kids while they were sleeping in the back.
The windows and doors in the Solterra are not too loud or noisy to open and close, and they do not baby-wake!
Becoming a parent I soon realised there are some noises and sounds I feel are unnecessary and I could happily live without if it meant my baby stayed asleep!!
That often the distraction of my screaming, distressed baby is more dangerous when driving than not having a lane departure warning for example.
If it is the lane departure warning beeping that creates distress with my baby then which is safest?
It’s where I think we need to be able to strike a balance and choose when we can mute the warnings or swap them to a vibration in the steering wheel or flashing light perhaps?
A lot of these noises come with the increase in technology and especially linked to safety features and alerts. For me these all have their place.
Another thing I have realised is I spend my time in a lot more places where small children roam, parks, beaches, play gyms, swimming lessons, daycare centre etc. I have become more aware that when I’m reversing or manouvering in the car parks I have to tripple check for small children running around behind me or being in my blind spot when reversing. For this I LOVE reversing cameras, I just don’t like their beeping sounds!!
I have become so much more aware of safety and potential accidents or hazards since having a child and so I love the peace of mind that I get from the cameras and sensors combined with my own vision from windows and mirrors as I don’t trust cameras alone.
The Solterra is a quiet and smooth drive, and there are no real baby-waking noises.
BabyDrive Indepth - Car Seats
How many child/baby seats can you fit in the 2024 Subaru Solterra?
When it comes to installing child seats in the 2024 Subaru Solterra EV, there are ISOFix points in both outer rear seats. They are not within plastic guides, but they are nice and easy to connect to and clearly labelled.
All three rear seatbacks have top tether anchorages, which are clearly labelled and easily accessible through the boot.
The three Infasecure child seats I tested fit nicely across the rear seats of the 2024 Subaru Solterra. I installed the Infasecure Achieve More and Infasecure Momentum More, both forward-facing and the Infasecure Cocoon Go Infant Capsule, rear-facing behind the driver.
Three child seats fit really comfortably in the back with good legroom for rear passengers, too. The rear footwell is flat, so there is plenty of kick room, and it's easy for little passengers to move around to get in and out of their seats. We could fit a 180cm driver in front of the rear-facing Infasecure Cocoon Go.
There is room to insert Bub into their child's seat from outside the car and from inside and there is room to feed Bub in the back if there is only one child seat installed.
Australia being a country of weather extremes- blazing sun and torrential rain, mean you may find it easier to put Bub into their seat from inside the car sometimes. If it’s hot you can get the air-con going, cool the car down and not stand out in the sun while you fasten them in or shelter from the rain and not get soaked yourself whilst you’re doing it. So it is important to test whether Bub can be easily installed from either direction!
BabyDrive Indepth - Drive & Comfort
How comfy is the 2024 Subaru Solterra?
The Solterra's rear occupants are kept comfortable with air conditioning vents, so rear passengers can stay comfortable while driving. There are also USB-C sockets for charging their devices and heated seats for adults and big kids.
The rear seats are comfortable for passengers not in child seats, with good legroom with a flat floor. Making it easy for passengers to move to and from their seats.
The upholstery is woven fabric throughout the Subaru Solterra and would be kept best with a seat cover underneath your kids child seats.
The front seats are equally as comfortable and upholstered in the same way.
There are four air-conditioning vents across the front of the dashboard, two below the media screen and one at each end of the dashboard.
The air-con controls are below the media screen and really easy to access and use while driving.
There are no built-in window shades in the 2024 Subaru Solterra, so you do have to add your own after-market rear window shades. There are handles above both the rear doors so you can hang a child's toy.
Visibility is excellent in the Solterra; even with three Infasecure child seats installed in the back, you can see over them.
The cameras in the Solterra also help to make maneuvering and parking easy.
One thing I have noticed since being a mum is I hate it when I reach a destination or get home from being out and Bub has either done really well in the car or she is screaming her head off and I have done really well to keep it together for the entire journey (usually the latter!!) and it takes 10 minutes to park the car! It can be really stressful. Usually, I dread parking in our tight apartment block carpark, but the Suabru Solterra is easy to reverse park!
BabyDrive Indepth - Safety
How safe is the 2024 Subaru Solterra?
The 2024 Subaru Solterra has been given a five-star ANCAP safety rating, scoring 848% for both child occupancy protection and adult occupancy protection.
Of the Subaru Solterra Child Occupancy Testing, ANCAP wrote:
In the frontal offset and side impact tests, protection of the 10 year and 6 year dummies was GOOD for all critical body regions, and maximum points were scored in these tests. The Subaru Solterra is fitted with lower ISOFix anchorages on the rear outboard seats and top tether anchorages for all rear seating positions. Installation of typical child restraints available in Australia and New Zealand showed most child restraints could be accommodated in most rear seating positions, however the Type A capsule could not be correctly installed in the rear outboard seating positions, and one of the booster seats could not be correctly installed in the centre rear position.
Seven airbags are standard:
Dual frontal, side chest-protecting and side head-protecting (curtain) airbags are standard. A centre airbag which provides added protection to front seat occupants in side impact crashes is also standard.
Some of these safety features are also features that drive me crazy as a mum! Like the lane departure and forward collision alert or the parking sensor beeping sound. I want all the safety technology AND to be able to mute the sound when Bub’s asleep!
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About Tace Clifford
Tace Clifford founded BabyDrive in 2017 after discovering a huge information gap in mainstream car reviews that left new parents and expanding families in the dark when it came to one of the biggest purchasing decisions of their lives.
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