Could Subaru be on its way back in Britain? Yes. Very modestly speaking, I mean. By its own admission, the Japanese brand put in an “embarrassing” performance here last year, selling just 951 cars.
It has decided against bringing its next BRZ sports coupé to the UK and no longer sells the WRX here, while the estates and 4x4s it does specialise in – and for which it’s known among the rural private buyers that have traditionally been its heartland – aren’t exactly fuel efficient.
Which is why the new Solterra, an electric SUV similar to Toyota’s bZ4x, gives me some hope.
In rural areas, buyers are more likely than townies to have space to charge a car, so as to make it warm and ready for a cold winter morning: cabin cosy, windows cleared of frost. Farm and business units have strong electricity supplies for quick charging and EVs return good efficiency on slow rural roads.
With a deft torque-vectoring four- for all of Autocar’s history wheel drive system and on rugged tyres, this practical electric Subaru wagon could be a proper car for those who live out in the sticks. It’s about the same size as the Forester.
With its fast Imprezas, Subaru spent time building a reputation as a performance car manufacturer when it wasn’t one. This could be the right car at the right time.
Are you not amazed?
“Feeling hungry?” rang a recorded message across the forecourt as I refuelled my car. I wasn’t, but I, probably like the filling station’s nearest neighbours, couldn’t help listening to the broadcast. Quite loud. “Check out our quick food-to-go selection,” it said. Righto. “You will be amazed at what we have to offer!”
Join the debate
Add your comment