The EV world continues to grow and evolve significantly with each passing year. It seems that more and more electric SUVs are coming standard with all-wheel drive (AWD) too. Of course, coming equipped with AWD makes these electric vehicles a more practical choice than they once were for many drivers around the country. However, as of right now, only one non-luxury electric SUV comes standard with AWD. This vehicle is the Subaru Solterra.

Most non-luxury electric SUVs don’t offer all-wheel drive in their base trims 

Plenty of luxury electric SUV models have all-wheel drive as a standard feature. However, only one non-luxury electric SUV comes standard with all-wheel drive on the market today. However, several non-luxury electric SUVs do offer AWD in their upgraded trims. Some non-luxury electric SUVs that can be upgraded to AWD are the Volkswagen ID.4, the Kia EV6, and the Toyota bZ4X. 

According to Car and Driver, the Volkswagen ID.4 has an MSRP of $42,525 and a combined EPA range of 275 miles. In comparison, the Kia EV6 has an MSRP of $42,115 and a combined EPA range of 232 miles. Car and Driver also report that the Toyota bZ4X has an MSRP of $43,335 and a combined EPA range of 242 miles. 

Of course, as outlined above, none of these three baseline trims come equipped with AWD. However, Volkswagen offers the ID.4 AWD Pro as an upgraded trim with a starting MSRP of $46,295. Kia also offers the 2023 EV6 Wind (e-AWD) upgraded all-wheel drive trim with a starting MSRP of $52,400. Additionally, Toyota offers an upgraded AWD drive trim with X-MODE. Subaru actually created the Solterra in a collaboration with Toyota’s bZ4X. However, there are key differences between these two electric SUVs. 

The Subaru Solterra is the only non-luxury electric SUV with standard AWD 

Now, it’s time to take a better look at the only non-luxury electric SUV that comes standard with AWD. According to Edmunds, the 2023 Subaru Solterra offers consumers all-wheel drive in its base trim model and two upgraded trims. The MSRP on the 2023 Solterra is $44,995. Additionally, the Solterra gets up to 94 MPGe on the highway and an average of 114 MPGe with city driving.

This Subaru also comes fully equipped with X-MODE with Downhill Assist Control, EyeSight driver assist technologies, a Blind-Spot Monitor, and seating for five. Along with the baseline Premium trim, the Solterra is also available in the Limited trim with a starting MSRP of $48,495 and the Touring trim with a starting MSRP of $51,995. 

The Solterra wouldn’t be a Subaru without AWD 

It’s pretty interesting that the Subaru Solterra is the only non-luxury electric SUV currently on the market that offers all-wheel drive in its baseline trim. Of course, the Solterra simply wouldn’t be a true Subaru without coming fully equipped with AWD. As CarBuzz points out, Subaru is the top adventure brand in the world. 

The Subaru brand doesn’t just sell vehicles. It sells the idea of adventure. Subaru is created behind the concept of a vehicle that can handle whatever the road throws at them. From the desert landscapes to the mountain ranges to downtown city life, the Subaru is designed to handle it all, and that’s why Subaru includes AWD on all of its models, the Solterra included.