Subaru’s Solterra EV starts at $44,995

Image: Subaru

The Solterra SUV is the first all-electric vehicle from Subaru. The vehicle, which comes standard with all-wheel drive, will start at $44,995. All models will have an extra $1,225 destination and delivery charge.

The Solterra will be able to charge 80 percent of its battery in under an hour. There isn't an option to add more range to the vehicle, something that many other manufacturers offer.

That is a bit rough for someone who is loyal to their car. My favorite backpacking spot is108 miles from my house, with a single level two charge available anywhere along the two-ish hour route. I couldn't trust the vehicle to get me there and back again.

Image: Toyota

Image: Subaru

The Toyota bZ4X starts at $42,000 for a front-wheel-drive model. If you want the bZ4X with all-wheel drive, you'll have to pay an extra $2,000, which is $1,000 less than the model from Subaru.

The Solterra and bZ4X are not the same car. They have the same or nearly identical range, X-Mode off-road assistance, and infotainment systems, but the vehicle from Subaru has 0.2 more inches of ground clearance. I prefer the Solterra's headlights and grille, though I'm not sure why, but there are at least a few differences between the two vehicles. I don't think I'd pay $1,000 to be able to say "I drive a Solterra" instead of "I drive a B4."

When comparing prices, there is a problem. The EV will be eligible for a tax credit. It's currently available for buyers who want to buy a Toyota, but it won't be for a long time because of how many other vehicles the company sells. The incentive for buying a bZ4X could be gone by October 2022, according to Toyota executives.

It may be difficult to get the bZ4X before the tax incentives are gone. If that is the case, the Solterra's starting price could be less of a factor.

Map: ChargeHub

People will probably compare the offerings of both the Chevy Bolt EUV and the Rivian, as well as the offerings of the EV6 and the Model 3. The Model 3 doesn't get the tax incentive, so you have to spend another $9,000 to get all-wheel drive, and the other two aren't as good. Buyers might think long and hard about what they really want from an EV before buying one.

Buying an EV can be a bit of a pain at the moment, as many manufacturers do technically have one. The widespread shortages that make it difficult to find cars in stock also apply to electric options, and we have seen dealers applying egregious markups. It's hard to say if the same will happen with the Solterra.

The Solterra will be arriving in limited numbers at the retailers.