Battery electric vehicles must maximize aerodynamic performance to get the most driving range. That’s why cars like the 2023 Subaru Solterra have that streamlined, futuristic shape. However, this typically means compromises inside the cabin, especially in terms of usable space. We recently put the Solterra to the test during an impromptu outing for a few days. Two people plus a cat with more gear than his humans showed the importance of good packaging, especially when it comes to SUVs.
Subaru states that the Solterra has a max cargo capacity of 23.8 cubic feet, expanding to 63.5 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. From the numbers alone, that falls short of many compact SUVs, including Subaru’s own Forester. However, real-world usability says otherwise, even with that sharply raked rear window. The Solterra’s cargo area easily swallows large check-in suitcases for the occasional airport run. Four fit behind the rear seats with the cargo cover removed and the floor lowered. That meant the Solterra easily handled our gear and the cat’s stuff for our weekend outing. We didn’t even take the cargo cover off for our trip because the car swallowed everything effortlessly.
Folding the rear seats down yields a lot more usable capacity. A few months ago, we even managed to transport a small fridge from my partner’s workplace to my house for interim storage! The only complaint in terms of usability revolves around the lack of small item storage since the 2023 Subaru Solterra does not have a glove box. Although, center console has a deep bin and storage, we think more usable cubbies would help add to its usability.
2023 Subaru Solterra: Usable Space Matters
The moral of the story here? Usable space matters more than the figures on the spec sheets. The latter only tells part of the story; it’s best to see the vehicle in person and test out the interior space to see if it works for you.
