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What If: Lucid Air Convertible Concept

Bill Bortzfield — Wed, 15 Apr 2026 10:31:00 +0000

Could the Lucid Air be offered as a convertible one day?

Thanks to AI, EV Rider is can giving you a very realistic look at what an Air convertible would probably look like in the video at the top of this post.

Even the name Air lends itself to being made into a soft top. But despite how good it would look, don’t get your hopes up.

Lucid Air convertible concept rendering | EV Rider

Since the Air wasn’t designed to accommodate a convertible from day one, the engineering costs alone make the video nothing more than a dream for a future generation.

Among the problems Lucid would face with the existing Air is re-engineering the A-pillars to make them thicker and stronger.

Other reinforcements would be needed to make up for the lost rigidity that the existing roof provides, which in turn would add more weight.

A convertible would also likely severely impact the Air’s ultra-low drag design. Between the extra drag and weight, drivers would likely see a significant hit in range as well as with other compromises such as the likelihood of sloppier handling along with less rear passenger space and a smaller trunk.

Lucid Air convertible concept rendering | EV Rider

Perhaps the biggest barrier is the cost it would add. Since the Air is a low volume car, it would likely mean paying well over $20,000 more to purchase a convertible variant.

As an example, the last-gen Dodge Challenger convertible, which was produced by aftermarket company Droptop Customs as a Dodge-sanctioned special-order car, added $25,000 to the cost when ordered through a dealership.

But still, it’s fun to dream. And who knows, maybe Lucid will eventually grow large enough to consider a convertible variation of a next-generation Air or another future model.

Lucid Air Pure Road Test & Review Video

The post What If: Lucid Air Convertible Concept appeared first on EV Rider.

2026 Chevy Silverado EV Is The Real Trail Boss

Dan Scanlan — Wed, 01 Apr 2026 10:31:00 +0000

It’s a truck I’ve waited to test since I saw the first spy shots online.

Even more than the HUMMER EV, I wanted to check out the sleek (for a pickup) Chevrolet Silverado EV, with its aerodynamic nose, seemingly lower greenhouse, flowing roofline, and Max Range battery.

It’s also the Trail Boss.

EV Chevy Trail Boss Surpasses Gas Sibling In Some Respects

This Chevrolet Silverado EV went on sale in the 2024 model year. But it’s not just a redesigned ICE Silverado. Nope – it is built on General Motors’ dedicated Ultium platform – a modular, flexible electric-only architecture used for smaller crossovers to bigger trucks, like the Cadillac Lyriq, Chevrolet Blazer/Equinox, and GMC Hummer EV. It’s also a lighter, tighter basis for a full-size pickup. Our 233-inch-long Silverado EV rides on a 145.7-inch wheelbase, while the 241.3-inch-long gas Silverado on a 157-inch wheelbase.

Pictured: Gas (left) and EV (right) Trail Bosses.

As an EV, it needs no big grille, so there’s a rounded nose with sleek wraparound light bar on top with LED DRLs. Projector headlights are on the curved corners below, while the Chevy emblem lights up – cool

The frunk opens to the front bumper line, its lower lip just above a slim intake to cool batteries and motors. There are two red tow hooks over a skid plate with a pewter center bumper accent. Flat black accents the lower corners with squared-off fender flares and side sills that include steps.

Flanks get gentle sculpting, while side windows seem shallower under a low roof with sweptback C-pillar.

Since this is not a body-on-frame design, the 5-foot-11-inch long cargo bed is flush with the body – very smooth. There are straight rear fender shoulder lines that flow into leading edges of sculpted taillights and black rear bumper.Like many big GM pickups, the MultiPro tailgate gets a dropdown upper section that becomes a work table, or unfolds a step when lowered to get in. You’ll probably use that step quite a bit since the Trail Boss’s 2-inch factory lift offers 24% higher ground clearance than the base Silverado EV.

2026 Chevy Silverado Trail Boss EV Interior

Those running boards, which do not retract, are handy to help get inside. I just wish the driver’s windshield pillar had a grab handle, like the others do. But once in the black and gray leather seats, the driver sees a big change from gas Silverados – a 17.7-inch-diagonal infotainment screen that starts with a configurable digital gauge package that flows past a big audio knob to a widescreen display that can be changed to show EV charging, navigation, audio and more.

Below the volume knob is a touch icon to access the headlight control – I wish there was a button. The majority of needed climate control buttons are icons along the bottom of the center screen. Seat heat/cooling, fan speed, dual-zone temperature and others are controlled by touch. There are also real buttons below it for fan speed, defrost and more.

The glove box gets a rubberized shelf above it under a stitched faux leather dashboard panel. Dashtop and doortops get a soft-touch textured black rubber, with padded gray inserts. The padded, stitched leather steering wheel power tilts and telescopes, the usual controls in front and one small paddle shifter behind for full regenerative braking like the old Volt used to – it brings the Silverado to a complete stop.

Front bucket seats are a bit flat, but comfortable, the driver’s getting dual memory presets. The wide center console starts with a rubberized inductive phone charger with USB ports and cup holders, then lots of room under the center armrest. The 7-speaker Bose sound system is solid, with a 5G Wi-Fi hotspot, wireless Android Auto/Apple CarPlay, and Google built-in, but no HD Radio.

Despite a shorter wheelbase than the gas Silverado, the back seat is roomy, with good adult head and leg room and even enough space for a third in between.

Outboard positions get heat; there’s rear a/c vents and USB ports, and a panoramic fixed glass moonroof that is so well tinted that the Florida sun didn’t cause warming issues. There’s a lightweight sunshade if needed.

2026 Chevy Silverado Trail Boss EV Bed Is Very Versatile

Split 60/40 rear seat bottoms flip up, or forward for more storage, allowing seatbacks to flip forward to also hold stuff. And shades of the 2010-2013 Chevy Avalanche – the Multi-Flex Midgate under the rear window splits and folds to expand the 5-foot-11-inch (57.3-cu-ft) cargo bed (with retractable cover) to over 9 feet.

The rear window can be removed for a nice open air feel. There are cut-out steps in the rear bumper corners to get into the bed. Once you drop the tailgate, stuff over 10 feet in length can be tied down and carried with midgates down.

You can watch a demonstration of how it works in the video at the top of this post.

There’s a usable 10.7-cubic-foot frunk with power bonnet. This EV can haul up to a 12,500-lb. trailer, although experts said that cuts its spectacular driving range almost in half, to about 220 miles depending on load, aerodynamics, and speed. That is better than published reports on a Ford Lightning EV hauling the average trailer.

One Silverado EV oddity – the passenger-side mirror isn’t convex to get a wider view of traffic. But this Silverado has left and right blind-spot cameras activated by the turn signal, displayed on the center screen. The rearview mirror can also flip to become a video screen with a wide rear camera view.

This truck is so slick, literally, that my sandwich shop guy gushed about how cool it looked when I quietly rolled up. And it got some glances at a recent car show I parked at. Gas-loving as many of those folks were, they admired this EV’s all-wheel-drive from front and rear motors, 205-kWh lithium-ion battery, and 725-hp and 775 lb-ft of torque. They also loved that there’s no start/stop button – get in with the keyfob and it turns on, then lift off the brake and open the door to shut it off.

Here’s the breakdown:

The Silverado EV is aerodynamic, with a drag coefficient of approximately .331. The current 2025 Chevy Silverado 1500 (gas) has a drag coefficient of around .38.

2026 Chevy Silverado Trail Boss EV Range, Power, Fuel Cost

A 2026 Chevrolet Silverado EV Trail Boss with the Max Range NCMA (Nickel, Cobalt, Manganese, Aluminum) battery pack, which we had, has a GM-estimated range of up to 478 miles on a full charge from a massive 205 kWh battery pack and a 350kW charging speed. Real-world estimates seem to be 430 to 470 miles, compared to the 240 to 300 miles we have gotten in recent Lightning tests. I hear that the Ultium battery can go from 5 to 80 percent charge in under 50 minutes on a DC fast charger, and gain a GM-estimated 100 miles in 10 minutes.

There’s a NACS adapter so you can plug into a Tesla Supercharger for a recharge, giving you about 25,000 additional charging locations across the U.S. Plugging in for a 10-80% charge (about 140-160 kWh) at a commercial Level 3 station can cost up to $120, experts say. GM also estimated 37 miles of range per hour if you use a Level 2 charger, which isn’t bad.

To compare: a turbodiesel Silverado gets a claimed 600 to 700 miles on a full tank. As this was written, diesel cost $5.20 or more a gallon in Florida, or over $120 for a full tank. A Silverado with the 6.2-liter gas V-8 seems to offer 350 to 450 miles on a full 24-gallon tank of premium gas – about $112 for a full tank now.

But the real savings happens when charging at home. Here in Jacksonville, FL, a kWh costs 14 cents, meaning a full charge at home costs $28.70. Residential electric prices across the country tend to be much cheaper than gas or what Level 3 DC stations typically charge.

This 8,778-lb. truck has multiple drive modes – Normal, Off-road, Towing, Terrain, and MyMode. That last mode allows you to set the powertrain on Sport, as well as stiffening up steering feel. There’s no change in suspension height or ride quality since the Trail Boss has off-road tuned coil springs and a fixed 2-inch lift.

Set on Normal, our 4,000-mile-old truck launched quickly, hitting 60 mph in a quick 5.5 seconds. Tapped in MyMode with sport selected, this EV reared up a bit as all four tires dug in, and we hit 60 mph rapidly in 4.9 seconds. We tried a few of these rapid launches one after another, with no diminution of launch torque, nor range diminishing too quickly. And acceleration from a stoplight, or to pass, was great – no drama, it just did it.

Then there’s the W.O.W. factor – Wide Open Watts – a back-to-back lightning bolt touch icon on the drive mode page. Tap it and the speakers exude a serious electronic growl as the powertrain goes for maximum propulsion. We got front wheelspin as this big EV launched very fast to 60 mph in 4 seconds flat, the turbine soundtrack rising in intensity as you go – W.O.W.! It responds to throttle VERY quickly – but it will reduce the range, and it will not function when the vehicle battery is low.

This is the first EV I’ve tested that never gave me range anxiety. Starting with 451 miles estimated range and 93% battery charge, I went about my business for three days and still had 365 miles of estimated range left, and a 76% battery charge. And we still had about 260 miles when the week ended with 4,150 miles on the clock and 59% charge. Regenerative braking gained a few miles of range on the fly, via that small paddle on the steering wheel, or one-pedal driving. You can adjust the regen amount off a center display menu. Both bring you to a stop.

This truck has a fully independent coil suspension with a hydraulic rebound control system. Add in tall sidewalls and the on-road ride is very comfortable, swallowing speed bumps with a one after-bounce.

With all-wheel-drive, this EV was neutral around exit ramps, with minimal lean and not a lot of feel that we were cornering in a 4-ton EV with 2-inch lift. The electric power steering loaded up nicely, if feeling a bit artificial. The big guy was more agile in commuting than a gas Silverado. Just like a gas truck, it had a bit of understeer in our skidpad, all-wheel-drive not aiding much. And with 14-inch discs all-round, the Silverado EV had a nice initial bite to the pedal, not too abrupt, with decent stops with plenty of ABS action and a bit of nose dive. There was no fade after repeated hard stops.

Having Trail Boss trim offers more ground clearance and off-road rubber, plus Terrain and Off-road drive modes. I tapped in Off-road and hit a grassy lakefront slope, and the EV absorbed bumps beautifully, with great wet grass traction, all-wheel-steering giving us a very tight (42.2-foot) turning radius to turn on a tight shoreline. I dove into a lumpy, mowed grass field with lots of ruts and bumps – and it also did fine. It clawed its way up and down hillocks and divots with no issues. Rear-wheel-steer helped get around stuff easily.

The EV Trail Boss has a solid 10 inches of ground clearance, vs. the gas version’s 11 inches. But the gas version has gnarlier Goodyear Wrangler off-road rubber and front underbody, oil pan, and transfer case skid plates, vs. the EV’s all-season, all-terrain light truck/SUV rubber, its only underside protection from one front skid plate.

When the Silverado EV was in that bumpy, grassy field, it wasn’t as sure-footed as I’d hoped, with some wheelspin as a front tire spun under power in Offroad mode. It got through it all, but not as well as the GMC Sierra 1500 4WD Crew Cab AT4X AEV I just tested, the sister to the gas Chevrolet Silverado Trail Boss.

Four-wheel steering effectively shortens this Silverado’s wheelbase, making turning corners easier to tackle, and U-turns almost within its own length.

Then there’s Sidewinder (Think Hummer EV CrabWalk) mode – rear tires turn with the fronts, and you “slide” around a root or rock on a trail. But it does take a dedicated tap or two in a screen menu to activate, and one time it did not shut off quickly.

Super Cruise gave us autonomous driving on many federal and state highway. It stayed mostly in lane hands-free. This is also a very quiet truck. The only time I heard the motors (outside of the W.O.W. setting) was when the midgate was open and the rear motor’s turbine sound came through.

How much? A gas-powered 5,421-lb. Silverado Trail Boss is about $61,000. It can tow up to 13,000 pounds, and hits 60 mph in just under 5.5 seconds. A base Silverado EV Work Truck, with 286 miles estimated range from a standard 205-kWh battery pack battery pack, 22-kW charging speed and 510 hp, starts at $54,895. Our 8,900-lb. Silverado EV Trail Boss can tow 12,500 pounds, and hit 60 mph in 4.2 seconds. Our Silverado EV Trail Boss added $5,285 in options, from $1,950 folding bed cover; $1,500 panoramic glass roof; $995 pearl white paint, and a few more items for a total $93,980.

Bottom line: Quick, agile on-road and acceptable off, with a slick look and a really well-developed EV platform with great range – but a tad expensive to buy and commercially charge, and biggish.

2026 Chevrolet Silverado EV Trail Boss Specifications

Vehicle type – full-size 5-passenger crew cab all-wheel-drive electric pickup

Base price – $86,600 ($93,980 as tested)

Powertrain type – dual-motor w/electronic 4WD and torque vectoring, and 205 kWh battery pack

Horsepower (net) – 725

Torque – 775

Transmission – 1-speed transmission

Wheelbase – 146.7 inches

Overall length – 233 inches

Overall width – 83.8 inches w/o mirrors

Height – 79.9 inches

Front headroom – 43.9 inches

Front leg room – 44.8 inches

Rear headroom – 38.7 inches

Rear legroom – 44.3 inches

Cargo bed – 5-foot, 11-inches/57.3 cu. ft. volume

Payload/towing – up to 2,100 pounds/12,500 pounds

Weight – 8,778 lbs.

Range – 478 miles (GM-estimated w/Max Range battery)

The post 2026 Chevy Silverado EV Is The Real Trail Boss appeared first on EV Rider.

EV Daily News Roundup

Compiled from reports with AI — Sun, 22 Mar 2026 12:57:07 +0000

A daily roundup of EV news from some of EV Rider’s favorite websites and YouTube channels.

Inside EVs

The U.S. Added Over 3,000 EV Fast Charging Plugs In Q1
on April 23, 2026
America’s EV charging infrastructure is getting more reliable and faster, with networks preferring high-powered stalls for new builds.
The Volkswagen ID. Buzz Gets Bidirectional Charging And Real Buttons
on April 23, 2026
Volkswagen is adding several new features to its electric minibus. However, America won’t be getting any of them.
Volvo’s EX60 Defies Expectations With 40,000 Units Scheduled For Production
on April 23, 2026
The EX60 is now officially in production, but its success has prompted Volvo to do something it has never done before.
Europe’s EV Sales Surge Is Leaving The U.S. In The Dust
on April 23, 2026
EVs are now keeping Europe’s car industry in the green, charging forward with double-digit increases in the first quarter.
Rivian Has Started R2 Production. Customer Deliveries Are 'On Track' For This Spring
on April 22, 2026
Rivian prepares for its Tesla moment as the R2 production officially kicks off. Deliveries are "on track" for later this spring.

Automotive Addicts

2027 BMW i7 Refresh Signals a Smarter Sharper Future for BMW’s Flagship EV
on April 22, 2026
BMW appears ready to give the i7 something it badly needs in the fast-moving luxury EV space, a meaningful refresh that keeps its flagship electric sedan feeling current without throwing Full Article »
2027 Mercedes-Benz C-Class EV Brings 482 HP, 800-Volt Charging, and a High-Tech Luxury Cabin
on April 20, 2026
Mercedes-Benz is officially giving the C-Class a full-electric counterpart, and it looks like the brand is not treating this one as some watered-down EV experiment. The new 2027 Mercedes-Benz C-Class Full Article »
2026 Subaru Trailseeker Limited Review & Test Drive
on April 16, 2026
It’s apparent at this point that electric vehicles (EVs) aren’t going anywhere, and brands like Subaru appear to be doubling down on bringing additional EV models to the table with Full Article »

EV

Tesla to Hire 1,000 Workers for GigaBerlin As European Demand Jumps
on April 23, 2026
Tesla plans to hire 1,000 new employees at its Grünheide plant in Germany, as demand for its Model Y SUV — the only model it produces in Europe — surges across the continent. The post Tesla to Hire 1,000 Workers for GigaBerlin As European Demand Jumps appeared first on EV.
Nio CEO Says Onvo Brand Awareness at 2019 Nio Levels, Before Rescue
on April 23, 2026
Nio's founder and CEO William Li said sub-brand Onvo's biggest challenge remains low brand awareness — calling for patience as the family-oriented sub-brand works to build its sales organization and market presence. The post Nio CEO Says Onvo Brand Awareness at 2019 Nio Levels, Before Rescue appeared first on EV.
Tesla Announces $2 Billion Acquisition of Unnamed AI Hardware Firm
on April 23, 2026
Tesla has entered into an agreement to acquire an undisclosed artificial intelligence hardware company for up to $2.00 billion in common stock and equity awards, according to the company's 10-Q filing made public on Thursday. The post Tesla Announces $2 Billion Acquisition of Unnamed AI Hardware Firm appeared first on EV.
Lucid Growth Marketing Head Departs Months Before Cosmos Launch
on April 23, 2026
Lucid Motors' Head of Growth Marketing Bryson Shellito said on Wednesday that he is leaving the company, less than a year after the Saudi-backed EV maker overhauled its Marketing department. The post Lucid Growth Marketing Head Departs Months Before Cosmos Launch appeared first on EV.
Tesla Shares Slide as Wall Street Posts First Reactions to Q1 Earnings Results
on April 23, 2026
Tesla shares erased a post-earnings rally during Chief Executive Elon Musk's remarks on the Q1 2026 conference call Wednesday, as softer timelines on Cybercab and Optimus and a $5 billion increase on CapEx weighed on the Wall Street sentiment. The post Tesla Shares Slide as Wall Street Posts First Reactions to Q1 Earnings Results appeared first on EV.

Motor1

The Smart Car Is Finally Tiny Again
on April 22, 2026
It has more than double the range of the old electric ForTwo.
Hyundai Ioniq 3 Revealed: A Compact Electric Hatch We Can't Have
on April 20, 2026
Hyundai's new electric hatchback is its first model in Europe to feature the Pleos Connect infotainment system—with buttons.
Toyota: RAV4 EV Isn't Happening Anytime Soon
on April 20, 2026
Toyota hasn't given much thought to making its best-selling SUV electric.

Clean Technica

Electrifying

159

New BMW i7 first look – Rolls-Royce levels of luxury?

New Hyundai IONIQ 3 Is here… and It might be Hyundai’s best yet

Mercedes C-Class Electric FIRST LOOK. Trouble For The BMW i3?

Join Nicola for a private screening in her cinema on wheels

The Marmite car is back and it's all-electric. Do you love it or hate it?

159

Everything Electric CARS (formerly FullyCharged)

279

This £36K, 300+ Mile EV Has a WHAT?!

IONIQ 3: The Small EV With a MASSIVE Secret

They Fixed Everything… and Cut the Price?! The BYD Atto 3 Evo!

EVALANCHE? CHINA'S GRIP TIGHTENS! EV DRIVER'S 'SMUG MODE?'

279

Auto Focus – Marques Brownlee

Subaru Doesn't Want to Make EVs.

Mercedes CLA EV is a Great Fighter in a Dying Sport

Little Tikes Cozy Coupe Review

The Porsche Cayenne Electric Turbo is Mind Blowing.

Rivian R2 is Easter Egg Maxing!

Teslarati

Tesla confirmed HW3 can’t do Unsupervised FSD but there’s more to the story
on April 23, 2026
Tesla confirmed HW3 vehicles cannot run unsupervised FSD, replacing its free upgrade promise with a discounted trade-in. The post Tesla confirmed HW3 can’t do Unsupervised FSD but there’s more to the story appeared first on TESLARATI.
Tesla isn’t joking about building Optimus at an industrial scale: Here we go
on April 22, 2026
Tesla's Optimus factory in Texas targets 10 million robots yearly, with 5.2 million square feet under construction. The post Tesla isn’t joking about building Optimus at an industrial scale: Here we go appeared first on TESLARATI.
Tesla (TSLA) Q1 2026 earnings results: beat on EPS and revenues
on April 22, 2026
Tesla (NASDAQ: TSLA) reported its earnings for the first quarter of 2026 on Wednesday afternoon. Here’s what the company reported compared to what Wall Street analysts expected. The earnings results come after Tesla reported a miss on vehicle deliveries for the first quarter, delivering 358,023 vehicles and building 408,386 cars during the three-month span. As The post Tesla (TSLA) Q1 2026 earnings results: beat on EPS and revenues appeared first on TESLARATI.

The post EV Daily News Roundup appeared first on EV Rider.

2026 Amelia Concours: SCAD EV & The Classics

Bill Bortzfield — Wed, 11 Mar 2026 10:31:00 +0000

Get a look at many of the classics on display at the 2026 Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance at the Ritz-Carlton and meet one of the designers behind the Red Dot Award winning SCAD Aether EV from the Savannah College of Art and Design.

More Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance Coverage (section page)

2026 Amelia Island Concours Preview

Italian Automakers Show Off EV Style At Amelia Concours

Video Tour: 2025 Amelia Island Concours Classics

Lotus Enters Hyper SUV Space With Eletre EV

VW Shows Off U.S. Spec ID. Buzz, ID. 7 At Amelia Concours

In-Depth: Chrysler Halcyon EV Concept At Amelia Concours

The post 2026 Amelia Concours: SCAD EV & The Classics appeared first on EV Rider.

2026 Amelia Island Concours Preview

Bill Bortzfield — Fri, 06 Mar 2026 14:24:08 +0000

The cars pictured in this video short and photo gallery are just a taste of Saturday’s March 7, 2026 Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance, with some of the classics pictured available to bid on at The Amelia Auction 2026, while the Polestars EVs pictured are among the brands being showcased at The Amelia. For a complete preview of The Amelia see this jaxtoday.com story from EV Rider contributor Dan Scanlan and look for a full video here on evrider.tv on Wednesday, March 11, 2026. | More coverage from The Amelia.

Friday Photo Gallery (click to enlarge images)

[See image gallery at evrider.tv]

The post 2026 Amelia Island Concours Preview appeared first on EV Rider.

EV Rider & Zappy Cartoons

Bill Bortzfield — Wed, 04 Mar 2026 14:56:22 +0000

Be a kid again. Enjoy these EV Rider cartoons. Links to the road tests referenced are below the cartoons.

Cartoon: Zappy Races Dodge Daytona Charger EV

Zappy Previews Mustang Mach-E

EV Rider At Daytona Bike Week

Chihuahua Co-Pilot: Zappy Adds Sparks & Style

Zappy Tries To Keep Up With Kia EV6

Zappy Previews Fiat's Topolino EV

Zappy asks: What's V2G?

3D VR Cartoon: EV Rider & Zappy's Solar Adventure

Cartoon: EV Rider & Zappy's Solar Adventure

A Very Zappy Christmas

EV Rider's 1st Cartoon: Meet Zappy

Links To Videos Referenced In Some Of The Cartoons

About EV Rider & Zappy Cartoons

If you grew up watching cartoons like Bugs Bunny, Wally Gator, Top Cat, Quick Draw McGraw, Atom Ant, Secret Squirrel, Speed Buggy, Wacky Races, Pokémon and so many other classic cartoons; you’ll enjoy the adventures of EV Rider and Zappy.

The post EV Rider & Zappy Cartoons appeared first on EV Rider.

Subaru Solterra Gets Substancial Overhaul For 2026

Dan Scanlan — Wed, 25 Feb 2026 21:35:12 +0000

It’s hard to believe that mainstream EVs have been around long enough that they are already entering second, or even third generations.

But here we are, with the Toyobaru twins – the Subaru Solterra and Toyota bZ4X – not only getting mid-cycle facelifts, but more power, extended range and a NACS-capable charging port. Say hello to Tesla Superchargers for a re-juice.

In fact, as we see on our 2026 Subaru Solterra Touring, a lot has changed since the first one hit U.S. shores in 2022. Oh, in case you are wondering – Subaru chose a real-ish name for its version – “Sol” as the Latin term for sun, and “Terra” meaning earth – get it?

2026 Subaru Solterra Touring XT Styling Updates

The main design change comes in the nose, losing the shield-shaped grille in between arrow-shaped headlights, now gaining a gloss-black mini-grille with a backlit Subaru multi-star logo flanked by stacked LED DRLs over new, inset headlights. An air dam is under a center inlet below, flanked by inlet-like accents. White, plus black and our pewter silver models of this EV crossover also get body-colored fender trim around the wheels, versus black, for a cleaner look as compared to the last-gen. As part of shared Toyota and Subaru design language, fenders front and rear get prominent geometric flares.

The charge port is on the passenger-side front fender, moved from the driver’s side so you can more easily drive up to, then connect at most Supercharger units. A long clamshell hood with gloss black at the sloped windshield’s base lifts to show EV electronics and not a frunk.

In those squared-off flares live 10-spoke silver and gray aero alloy wheels shod in 20-inch Yokohama Geolander rubber. The design between tires is shared between Toyota and Subaru – flared lower sills under gently sculpted flanks. Subaru’s differences are gloss black window pillars and roof with a non-opening, panoramic glass moonroof with a power shade. Both get a split rear window spoiler/shade and spoiler wrapping around the top of slim LED taillights, whose framing slashes into the tail.

More Toyobaru sharing – black lower rear bumper with aero accents. It’s a sleek yet angular crossover with high beltlines that rise as they head aft under a visually low roof to add sleekness.

2026 Subaru Solterra Touring XT Interior Improved For 2026

The gray and black StarTex pleather seats are crossover height for an easy slide in. The mid-cycle refresh adds a new 14-inch Subaru Multimedia touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility

Drivers face a squircle steering wheel with a comprehensive set of buttons in front, and small paddles in back that adjust regenerative braking. The redesigned 7-inch gauge display loses its indented design from the previous model, going with a higher placement with configurable display.

You have a digital speedometer circled by a power/regenerative use graph, with changeable information for audio or other uses. It also shows range and battery percentage, plus regenerative braking level. It’s all easy to see thanks to the flattened steering wheel. It also shows when the X-Mode snow/dirt drive mode and hill descent control are activated.

New for 2026 is a standalone 14-inch center display with navigation, audio and car system controls down one side, and more touch icons for seat heat/cooling and heated steering wheel. Climate controls retain physical knobs for dual-zone temperature, with temperature displays inside. Fan speed and vent position are also touchscreen icons over a central volume knob.

Not much else is buried too deep in screen menus except some of the EyeSight Driver Assist tech, like lane-keep, cross-traffic alert and more. I liked the display that warned when traffic was passing in front of us at intersections. But some displays, like all-wheel-drive mix, are a tap or two away. I wish I could get that displayed on the gauge screen.

Other updates include a wider center console with twin inductive phone charge trays under that volume knob. My cellphone slid on its less-than-grippy surface. There’s also an interesting gearshift. You depress the rubberized collar on the shift knob, then select “Drive,” “Reverse” and “Neutral” – “Park” is a separate button. Drive mode (Eco, Normal, and Power) and X-Mode are nearby; so are camera and Auto-hold controls, and an X-Mode speed set for slippery driving.

The front seats are power adjustable with dual memory for the driver. They have a supple faux leather that is comfortable and supportive. An accent light strip divided the gray and white dashboard, but don’t look for a passenger glove box. Instead, there’s storage space under the center console, while the center armrest opens from left or right and has adequate space.

Back seat room is good with decent head, leg and foot room, with rear a/c vents, outboard heat and USB ports. They sit a bit low, but that’s fine. Rear cargo space under a high-lifting power hatch is good with a security cover and underfloor storage.

Overall, it’s a cleanly redesigned, user-friendly and well-built, if slightly plastic interior, ready to handle four adults, and not show any wet weather activity, thanks the rubber floor mats.

The biggest change in the 2026 Solterra is under its steel and aluminum skin, where there are performance, range and charging upgrades.

2026 Subaru Solterra Gets Higher-Capacity Battery, Faster Charging

There’s a 74.7-kWh Lithium-ion battery, which can deliver an estimated range of over 285 miles. Subaru says that’s about 25% better than the 2025 model. Our XT trim also had a new 338-hp, dual motor system that is nicely boosted from the last version’s 215 hp, making for an all-wheel-drive system that Subarus are known for. There’s faster 150 kW DC charging and a standard NACS (Tesla-style) plug that can access most Tesla Superchargers (V3 & newer). Subaru says that equates to a 10% to 80% charge in less than 35 minutes. Onboard AC charging has been increased to 11 kW.

We drove most in Eco mode, which offered more than enough motivation. When we tapped into the all-wheel-drive front/rear split screen, we found a nice mix of drive under power. Launched in Eco, there’s a brief, slow launch, then a surge to 60 mph in 4.2 seconds, which is plenty fast for a mid-range SUV. Set in Power mode, the 4,510-lb. Solterra surged on pedal tip-in to hit 60 mph in a quick 3.9 seconds. Passing power is really there when needed.

The left paddle invokes different levels of regenerative braking, four bars meaning we had immediate slowdown/max regen upon lifting off the accelerator. It slowed us to about walking speed, but not a stop – good enough, but I’d prefer the full stop mode some EVs offer.

We started our affair with our 1,083-mile-old Solterra with a 96% battery charge and an indicated 262 miles of range. Three days and 82 miles later, I was down to 67% battery charge and 180 miles range, which means that miles used matched estimated range. We drove flat Florida roads on full regen brake setting, which fed a mile or two back to the battery pack in stop-and-go driving. Subaru says it gets an EPA-rated 105 MPGe highway, and 128 MPGe city.

It took me 15 minutes to get it to 80% charged at a non-Tesla NACS Level 3 charger and another 10 minutes to get it to 90%, showing an estimated 244 miles of range – up to a claimed 278 miles on a single charge. That’s a pretty good charging time, showing one of the advantages of the new lithium-ion pack.. Subaru says the Solterra can go from 10 to 80% of charge in about 30 minutes. DC charging cost $9.64, which more than two gallons of gas would have, according to AAA averages. One note – a bone-chilling 40-degree night saw the battery lose 4 miles of range just sitting in my driveway.

It’s also worth noting that here in Jacksonville, home charging costs 11 cents per kWh while Electrify America charges 56 kWh to DC fast charge, illustrating the big price difference between AC home charging and DC fast charging when traveling.

EV Rider’s Bill Bortzfield ran into a charging hiccup during his Solterra jaunt. After an AC charge session, the Subaru’s provided Lectron J1772 adapter wouldn’t release from the NACS port. His troubleshooting steps of cycling through lock and unlock didn’t work. In the end, he released the adapter by finding a manual release cable with yellow pull tab under the hood. Based on what Bill found on a Facebook Solterra group, it appears some owners have run into a similar issue.

During the same charging session, the Solterra throttled the power it would accept to 32-amps, despite him using a 48-amp 240v charger on a 60-amp circuit. Bill checked the Solterra’s charge settings to ensure its AC charge rate was set to “Max.” He cycled through settings to see if lowering, then raising the maximum charge rate would force a return to its factory rated 11 kW peak AC charge rate. During an earlier charging session on the same home charger, the Solterra did peak at its rated 11 kW.

Being a Subaru, the 4-wheel independent suspension has a generous 8.3-inches of ground clearance, along with standard all-wheel drive, plus X-MODE with snow/dirt and deep snow/mud modes with Downhill Assist Control for low-grip or off-road capability. It’s retuned suspension provided a very comfortable ride, taut enough to absorb bumps easily, with no tight head-toss on rebound. The car is very quiet. The design offers a decent coefficient of drag with no wind noise from body or mirrors at speed. There’s just a hint of tire noise at 60 mph.

The Solterra took exit ramps under power neutrally. Push hard in a sharper turn and there was understeer and some body roll, while a run around our skid pad saw a tad more understeer and some traction control, but it was easy to handle and expected. The brake pedal had a direct feel with immediate bite, showing no fade after hard use, but some nose dive. Steering had a direct and well-buffered feel in Eco mode, a bit tighter and direct in Power mode. I’ve driven more rewarding EVs in this design range, but this is what Subie owners want – comfort, combined with good handling.

We tried X-MODE on a grassy field, finding an off-road display with tilt and yaw and multiple cameras, plus a transparent view of what’s under you off-road. It delays a front camera image and layers it under an outline. The ride was still very comfortable, absorbing bumps, while traction was perfect, which is good for beach and dirt trail riding. X-MODE reduces engine power and allows individual wheel brake application to rein in wheelspin and maintain grip. There’s even adjustable “Grip Control.” that can you set at low, mid and high speed so you can let the Solterra move along as you steer and brake. X-MODE can only be activated under 25 mph, and will only work under 18 mph.

Subaru’s EyeSight driver-assist technologies also include pre-collision braking, blind spot monitors, lane departure alert, a panoramic view monitor and smart cruise. Side and nose cameras are also included., so you’ll hopefully see what you are missing.

A base 2026 Subaru Solterra starts at $38,495 MSRP, which is the same price as the outgoing model. Our Solterra Touring XT starts at $45,555, with only two options: $495 smoked carbon two tone paint, and $207 rubber floor mats. The final price was $47,500.

Bottom line: Geometric design that says Subaru, good battery range; quick and convenient charging, and Subar acceleration. It’s a nice EV choice with room to grow in.

2026 Subaru Solterra Touring XT Specifications

Vehicle type – 4-door, 5-seat all-wheel-drive EV sports utility wagon

Base price – $45,555 ($47,500 as tested)

Powertrain – Front synchronous AC motor with 224 hp and 198 lb-ft of torque/Rear synchronous AC motor with 117 hp and 125 lb-ft of torque

Horsepower (combined) – 338 @ 5,800 rpm

Battery pack – liquid-cooled lithium-ion

Transmission – Direct drive front and rear

Wheelbase – 112.2 inches

Height – 65 inches

Overall length – 184.6 inches

Overall width – 73.2 inches

Ground clearance – 8.3 inches

Front headroom – 38.6 inches

Front legroom – 42.1 inches

Rear headroom – 37.1 inches

Rear legroom – 35.3 inches

Cargo capacity – 24 cu. ft./64 w/seats folded

Towing capacity: up to 2,700 lbs.

Curb weight – 4,499 lbs.

Range: Claimed 278 miles

EPA MPGe rating – 105 city/128 highway

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Coming Together For A Good Cause & Classic Cars

Bill Bortzfield — Sat, 21 Feb 2026 19:53:32 +0000

Classic Miatas, Volkswagens, BMWs and many more were on display at the Tom Bush Family of Dealerships car show on Feb. 21 in Jacksonville, FL. Enjoy the cars, people and community spirit in this music video tour of the show.

Proceeds benefitted Rethreaded, which is a Jacksonville-based non-profit and social enterprise that employs survivors of human trafficking, providing them with a safe environment for healing and career development.

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Long-Term Owner Review: Charger Daytona Scat Pack

Bill Bortzfield — Wed, 18 Feb 2026 21:01:00 +0000

This week on EV Rider we’ve got a video-only, long-term look at a 2024 Dodge Charger Daytona Scat Pack EV with more than 37,000 miles.

EV Rider met up with Charger Daytona owner Garrett Linenkugel in Daytona Beach, FL where he graciously let me take the wheel.

We got into a lot of pluses and minuses, covering everything from charging speed and performance to software gremlins and build quality.

Related: Droptop Customs Charger Daytona Convertible

Cartoon Fun: Zappy Races Charger Daytona Scat Pack EV

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People Make The Journey Special

Bill Bortzfield — Wed, 04 Feb 2026 10:31:00 +0000

This week’s episode is a big thank you to all the friends, family and people that have helped EV Rider soar past 1.8 million video views at last check.

Many of you that I’ve met along the way are featured this week in EV Rider’s first-ever music video. I hope all of you will enjoy it, and maybe even share it.

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