Subaru Solterra review

Subaru hasn't sold a quick car in the UK for some time, and this isn't a quick car. But it is responsive in that EV way – 0-62mph takes 6.9 seconds – before the thrust falls away at around 80mph. Still, you can slip into traffic gaps and overtake and punch out of corners because it happens at the exact moment you floor the accelerator.

The steering is well weighted, and moves slickly off the dead ahead, so it's easy to hold your motorway lane or feed through country bends at all speeds. The steering responds well partly because there's little wait for the body to roll. Push hard in a bend and the thing eventually moves into mild understeer, and there's little you can do to erase that apart from ease the power. Try to unsettle it then shove the pedal and the ESP just cuts in, neatly but definitively.

Sounds a bit boring...

Perhaps, but there's more feel for your grip, and more general precision. That makes it feel lighter than rivals, but of course still heavier than petrol cars the same size.

The low centre of gravity also means there's no need for stiff anti-roll bars, so you're not rocked side-to-side on a straight but bumpy road. The ride isn't soft, but it's very well controlled and shaves off sharp bumps, a traditional Subaru characteristic.

Unlike the bZ4X, you also get regen paddles, but adjusting this to max only invokes a gentle pullback. Same with the one-pedal driving button. You still have to use the brake pedal for anything more than a mild slowdown.

Otherwise the cabin is generally a peaceful place to be, but at motorway speed both wind and tyre noise get a bit squally. Subaru has always been big on safety related driver assist, and the Solterra inherits Toyota's full suite, which is even bigger. The adaptive cruise control and lane centering works smoothly, though we found the facial recognition tech temperamental, and the constant warning bonging/noises annoying.

Is it as capable off-road as you'd expect a Subaru to be?

The short overhangs, flat bottom and decent clearance mean you're less likely to get hung up on bumps and ruts. The traction control systems are simply superb, gently finagling the very best grip from each tyre, aided by the subtlety of electric torque control. Hill descent and constant speed systems work well too. 

In short, we were staggered at the muddy climbs it would manage, even on its eco road tyres. It'll also wade to 500mm. We've tried that, so stop your electricity-and-water sniggering. The all-round cameras help spot obstacles too.

Is it efficient?

Well, the first thing to mention is that on a mild September morning and fully charged, the range was showing as 201 miles, versus the claimed 257 miles in Touring spec. Make of that what you will. 

After a round 140-mile trip, the remaining range was 60 miles/32 per cent battery, at an average of 3.8mi/kWh. Pretty decent, but not world class.