Crosstrek was the highlight. Solterra is the brands low emissions play. Wayne Gerdes – CleanMPG – April 3, 2023 2023 Subaru Solterra Subaru of America reported it sold 53,213 vehicles in March of 2023, a 22.8 percent increase compared with March 2022 sales of 43,322. Q1 YTD sales of 143,376 were up 8.3 percent over the 132,346 vehicles sold in Q1 of 2022. March was the eighth consecutive month of month-over-month sales increases for the automaker. In March, the cool looking Crosstrek was the top sales model and achieved its best March ever with 14,040 vehicle sales, up 4.3 percent over the 13,460 sold in March of 2022. In addition, 513 of the all-new, all-electric Solterra SUV were delivered in March. Subaru’s first-ever, all-new, all-electric, 228-mile range SUV, the 2023 Solterra is offered in three trim levels, Premium, Limited, and Touring. Pricing starts at $44,995 MSRP. Solterra comes standard with a new Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive system that now channels smooth linear output, providing outstanding traction and capability in all weather and terrain. The all-new electric SUV delivers a total of 215 hp and 249 lb.-ft. of torque from front and rear electric motors. The system also features Grip Control and Downhill Assist Control for increased performance in low-friction and off-road conditions. The Solterra’s 8.3 inches of ground clearance is best in its class. Standard Active Cornering Assist and Vehicle Stability Control provide better stability and handling. The Solterra’s 100 KW charging capability allows you to charge from flat to 80-percent on a DCFC in about an hour. The all-electric SUV offers standard EyeSight driver assist technologies including Emergency Steering Assist, Intersection Collision Avoidance Support, Pre-Collision Brake Assist, Lane Departure Prevention, and Dynamic Radar Cruise Control with Lane Tracing Assist. An all-new multimedia system debuts on Solterra with an available 12.3” central touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and wireless Android Auto standard. A wireless charging phone dock in the center console is standard on Limited and Touring trim levels. 2023 Subaru Solterra Trim Breakout The Solterra Premium starts at $44,995 and includes heated front seats and exterior mirrors; windshield wiper de-icer; 18” alloys and 235/60 R18 tires; a 7-inch LCD driver display; Dual-Zone Automatic Climate; Rear Seat Reminder; and LED headlamps (multi-beam low and single beam high). The Premium also includes an 8” high-resolution touchscreen; wireless Apple CarPlay, wireless Android Auto; AM/FM HD stereo; SiriusXM All-Access Radio (4-month audio trial subscription); integrated streaming (30-day free trial); and Bluetooth hands-free phone and audio. A wireless charging phone dock for the center console is also available as an accessory. The Premium also includes Blind Spot Monitor; Rear Camera Detection with Pedestrian Warning; Parking Support Brake (PKSB), and Safe Exit Assist. The Premium also includes power locks, mirrors, and windows with one-touch auto up/down. The vehicle charge port on the left front fender includes a power lock and automatic charging cable lock. The center console is equipped with five USB ports including a USB-A input/charge port in the front, upper section; (dual) USB-C charge ports in the front, lower section; (dual) USB-C charge ports in the rear. The Solterra Limited starts at $48,495 and includes all of the above plus an all-new multimedia system featuring a 12.3” central touchscreen; smartphone integration with wireless Apple CarPlay, wireless Android Auto; AM/FM HD stereo; SiriusXM All-Access Radio (4-month free subscription); integrated streaming (30-day free subscription); Bluetooth hands-free phone and audio; and available cloud-based navigation system (one-year free subscription). A wireless charging phone dock in the center console is standard on Limited. For the first time in a Subaru, a 360-degree Panoramic View Monitor provides an overhead view of the vehicle for better all-around situational awareness while parking. Advanced Park, a parking assist feature that can park the vehicle (parallel or perpendicular) using a system of cameras and sensors. For the Limited trim, the Parking Support Brake system adds Rear Cross-Traffic Alert. The new Digital Key allows the driver to access and start the vehicle with their smartphone. This feature works through the SUBARU SOLTERRA CONNECT app. The Limited also adds comfort and convenience features including a 10-way power driver’s seat; heated rear seats (outboard positions); 360-degree heated steering wheel; Harman Kardon premium audio system; LED fog lights; power rear door with automatic close and height memory; rain-sensing wiper system; and roof rails. The Limited comes standard with a roof spoiler (split) and 20-inch aluminum alloy wheels paired with 235/50R 20 all-season tires. The Touring starts at $51,995 and inl;cudes the Limited trism equipment plus a digital rear-view mirror with view position adjustment and HomeLink; ventilated front seats; panoramic moonroof with power sunshade; and front and rear LED footwell lighting. The Touring trim also has a two-tone exterior paint option. With the purchase or lease of a new Solterra, owners receive up to 10 days of Subaru Just DRIVE Rental at no-charge from their participating Subaru retailer. This program allows the rental of a variety of Subaru vehicles though participating Subaru retailers. 2023 Subaru Solterra Pricing Premium - $44,995 Limited - $48,495 Touring - $51,995 D&H = $1,225 Q1 2023 US Auto Sales GM - 603,208 units sold in Q1 of 2023, up 17.6% over the 512,846 sold in Q1 of 2022 Ford - 475,906 units sold in Q1 of 2023, up 10.1% over the 432,132 sold in Q1 of 2022 Toyota - 469,558 units sold in Q1 of 2023, down 8.8% below the 514,592 sold in Q1 of 2022 Stellantis - 368,327 units sold in Q1 of 2023, down 9.1% below the 405,221 sold in Q1 of 2022 Honda - 284,507 units sold in Q1 of 2023, up 6.8% over the 266,418 sold in Q1 of 2022 Nissan - 235,818 units sold in Q1 of 2023, up 17.3% over the 201,081 sold in Q1 of 2022 Hyundai - 184,449 units sold in Q1 of 2023, up 15.5% over the 159,676 sold in Q1 of 2022 Kia - 184,136 units sold in Q1 of 2023, up 21.8% over the 151,194 sold in Q1 of 2022 Tesla - 150,000 units sold in Q1 of 2023 (est.), up 33.9% over the 112,000 sold in Q1 of 2022 (est.) Subaru - 143,376 units sold in Q1 of 2023, up 8.3% over the 132,346 sold in Q1 of 2022 Q1 2023 Top 10 US Auto Sales Leaders Ford F-Series - 170,377 vehicles sold in Q1 of 2023, up 21.1% over the 140,701 sold in Q1 of 2022 Chevrolet Silverado - 126,992 vehicles sold in Q1 of 2023, up 4.9% over the 121,107 sold in Q1 of 2022 Ram P/U - 105,350 vehicles sold in Q1 of 2023, down 17.1% below the 127,116 sold in Q1 of 2022 Tesla Model Y - 85,000 (est.) sold in Q1 of 2023, up 67.3% over the 50,800 (est.) sold in Q1 of 2022 Toyota RAV4 - 84,704 vehicles sold in Q1 of 2023, down 16.3 percent below the 101,192 sold in Q1 of 2022 Nissan Rogue - 76,499 vehicles sold in Q1 of 2023, up 69.1 percent over the 45,235 sold in Q1 of 2022 Honda CR-V - 67,241 vehicles sold in Q1 of 2023, up 14.8 percent over the 58,579 sold in Q1 of 2022 GMC Sierra - 67,198 vehicles sold in Q1 of 2023, up 18.7 percent over the 56,617 sold in Q1 of 2022 Toyota Camry - 66,037 vehicles sold in Q1 of 2023, up 7.4 percent over the 61,505 sold in Q1 of 2022 Tesla Model 3 - 63,800 (est.) sold in Q1 of 2023, up 36.3% over the 46,800 (est.) sold in Q1 of 2022
here's a good way to sell EV's : jack up the prices of all the ICE cars. But they're already doing it. Yes, I'm a bit jealous because I don't feel I can afford a $50K car. But I'm about to drastically reduce the number of miles I drive.
Chrysler had lots of connections with Mitsubishi. The siblings pre-1980’s Dodge Colt & Plymouth Champ had the innovative & excellent twin stick transmission, & 1.4L three valves per cylinder Mitsubishi engine. I had the Plymouth Champ without the twin-stick. There was a major gap in the transmission between 2nd & 3rd gears, that I always wondered if the right shifting with the twin stick would have solved. Also, the reliable & very smooth 2 L. 4 cylinder engine in the Dodge Caliber had developing work by 3 companies, Chrysler, Mitsubishi & Hyundai. & of course, the CVT transmission came from Nissan. I think the Caliber was called the World car for a while, which was true. Lots of old Chrysler(ALL of front wheel drive?) was Mitsubishi.
The Chrysler Mitsubishi 3L six cylinder was used very often in Chrysler products. It didn’t see “action” in the Omni/Horizon(what? Lack of room or too powerful?). The six also had some longer, time period problems, which might have added to the already problem-plagued Omni/Horizon. Thank you for mentioning the Champ/Colt again, far superior to K-cars & Omni/Horizon. Yes, you are right. K-cars should be spelled k-cars & not capitalized.
I drove two Dodge Colts in the 80's. One was a Twin Stick , which I thought was a silly gimmick. The other was a proper 5-spd , which I liked a lot. And yes, the Colt/Champ were much better than just about any other Chrysler product. Those memories lasted up to this day ; I almost bought a Mirage last year.
I drove a Twin-Stick Colt for a few days shortly after they were introduced. For years, I drove an International 444 farm tractor which, much like the Twin-Stick Champ-Colts, had a 4×2=8-speed transmission. That scheme made more sense in a tractor. Before the FWD Colts, Chrysler sold RWD Mitsubishi cars in the USA, including one they called Dodge Colt. Some 70s Mitsubishi sedans utilized the trunk lid as the radio antenna.
Wow , I was not aware of the RWD Colt. But then again ,it was the 70s. There were LOTS of things I was unaware of.
I got to drive someone’s 5spd Dodge Colt. I loved it. The twin stick could have been excellent for the differing slopes on our mountain highways. However, the potential 8 different ratios had at least 2 ratios that were close to other ratios, reducing the extra versatility by half(?). & as I’ve stated, I never knew if the twin stick could have helped solve the wide, wide gearing gap between 2nd & 3rd gear. If they really needed a transmission gap, it would have been better between 3rd & 4th gear(letting 4th be a great overdrive gear). Around town then, I could have shifted from 1st to 3rd to reduce shifting & lengthen the life of the transmission. Anyhow, not able to afford the twin-stick, I saved nearly $2000, buying the 4 speed manual 1979 Plymouth Champ..
