What is Subaru's first global battery-electric SUV called?

Subaru’s first global battery-electric SUV was the Subaru Solterra.

Subaru announced the Solterra name in May 2021 and described the vehicle as its first global electric vehicle. The C-segment SUV was developed jointly with Toyota and was built on the dedicated e-Subaru Global Platform, a version of the architecture shared with the Toyota bZ4X.

The Solterra made its world debut in November 2021 and went on sale in markets including Japan, the United States, Canada, Europe and China by 2022. Its name combines the Latin words “sol,” meaning sun, and “terra,” meaning earth, reflecting Subaru’s environmental branding.

The Solterra is closely related to the bZ4X, but Subaru gave it distinct exterior details, cabin elements and vehicle-control tuning. Many versions use Subaru’s symmetrical all-wheel-drive system, supported by two electric motors and software designed for traction on rough or slippery surfaces.

It is easy to confuse the Solterra with the Forester or Crosstrek because all are Subaru crossovers. The Solterra is different because it was designed from the outset as a battery-electric vehicle rather than adapted from an internal-combustion model.