Ford Mustang Mach-E vs Subaru Solterra

The 2026 Subaru Solterra underwent a significant makeover, debuting a fresh styling that aligned with the new EV face shared with the Subaru Trailseeker and Uncharted. The front of the vehicle featured daytime running lights with six elements each, symbolizing the six stars of the Pleiades cluster, positioned above block-style headlights. The grille was redesigned to distinguish the Solterra from its twin, the Toyota bZ, which retained its older styling. However, the styling changes were primarily concentrated at the front, leaving the headlights and taillights mismatched. The body sides remained mostly unchanged, with box fender flares reminiscent of older Subaru models. The unpainted plastic cladding from previous models was mostly painted black or body colour for 2026, depending on the main paint colour chosen. Subaru claimed more extensive changes under the skin, including a different front subframe, motor mounts, and an improved crash structure. The roof structure was altered to eliminate the support beam bisecting the glass roof panel, and sound-insulating material was increased.

Inside, the Solterra retained its quirky interior, appealing to fans of the Subaru SVX or XT. It featured an oddly-shaped steering wheel, a socially distanced instrument cluster, and no glovebox. The top Technology grade offered black-and-blue two-tone leather upholstery, adding to the cabin's distinctive look. While premium-feeling materials were not part of the Subaru experience, everything felt sturdy enough for the long haul.

The 2026 Ford Mustang Mach-E stood out with its Mustang-inspired looks, setting it apart from the average crossover SUV. The front featured a familiar Mustang grille insert and squinting headlights, while the sculpted Mustang design continued along the sides, diverging from the legendary coupe and convertible with an SUV-like two-box shape. A sloped roofline provided an SUV-coupe-like profile, and the rear boasted a roof spoiler and Mustang sequential three-bar taillights. Most Mach-E models came with 19-inch alloy wheels, with the GT trim getting 20s. The Rally trim sported a standard black roof, black wheel arches, and side cladding, with dish-style wheels inspired by Ford rally cars of old. The interior featured synthetic leather that looked like the real thing, with contrast stitching on the doors, dash face, and centre console. The GT had sport seats with bigger bolsters and contrast stitching, while the Mach-E Rally added aluminum pedals and "Mach-E Rally" logos on the front seats. Ambient lighting brightened the cabin in all but the base Select trim.

The 2026 Subaru Solterra continued with standard all-wheel drive (AWD) and a slightly increased battery-pack size from 72.8 kWh to 74.7 kWh. The output increased from the 2025 model’s 215 horsepower to a standard 338 hp in Canada, allowing the Solterra to accelerate from 0–100 km/h in 5.1 seconds. Despite the power increase, the Solterra only felt quick to drivers unfamiliar with the instant torque of an EV. Subaru claimed changes to the AWD control logic for more consistent torque delivery, but the difference was hard to detect. The traction control cut in aggressively, and heavy steering dampened the fun of attacking corners. At a more sedate pace, the changes under the skin contributed to overall refinement, with a quiet cabin and improved ride quality. The regenerative braking system offered five settings, but the maximum regen required only occasional use of the brake pedal. The Solterra offered 21.1 centimetres of ground clearance and standard dual-mode X-Mode drive modes, but its off-road capability was limited.

The 2026 Ford Mustang Mach-E offered a varied range of powertrain options. In Canada, it started with a dual-motor, AWD powertrain using a 73-kWh battery pack, offering 325 horsepower and 380 kilometres of range. An Extended Range battery increased the range to 483 kilometres. The Mach-E GT had a dual-motor powertrain producing 480 hp with 451 km of range, while the Rally had the same powertrain but a range of 410 km. The Premium model with dual motors and the extended-range battery provided 370 hp, 500 pound-feet of torque, and 483 km of range. The Mach-E GT offered 480 hp and 600 lb-ft of torque, unlocking a 3.8-second 0-96 km/h time. A Performance Upgrade increased torque to 700 lb-ft, with the GT hitting 96 km/h in just 3.3 seconds and the Rally in 3.4 seconds. The Mach-E offered different sound modes, and the transition from regenerative to friction braking was seamless. The Mach-E had 14.5 centimetres of ground clearance, with agile handling and a rear-drive bias. The GT and Rally had stronger Brembo brakes, with the Rally offering a playful character and RallySport mode for better power through turns on gravel roads.

The 2026 Subaru Solterra's interior dimensions remained unchanged, offering reasonable but not lavish space for its market segment. It trailed rivals in second-row legroom but offered nearly identical rear-seat headroom. The cargo space of 674 litres behind the rear seats fell behind most rival EVs, with the Ford Mustang Mach-E offering 167 litres more. The Solterra lacked a frunk, but the rear seats down provided 1,798 litres of space, trailing only the VW. The Solterra had a raised centre console with a storage tunnel underneath, a conventional storage bin, two large cupholders, and a pair of wireless phone chargers. Cabin heating was addressed with radiant heaters and a heat pump, while ventilated seats struggled to keep up on sunny days.

The 2026 Ford Mustang Mach-E had a longer wheelbase than equivalent gas-powered vehicles, making it spacious inside. It offered good headroom and legroom in both rows, though fitting three across in the second row was a squeeze. The Select trim was priced to qualify for the federal government’s $5,000 rebate, missing some key features like standard heated front seats. Cargo space was better than the Mach-E’s sporty looks suggested, with 841 litres behind the second row and 1,691 litres with the rear seats folded flat. An optional 135-litre front trunk provided secure storage with a drain plug for use as a cooler.

The 2026 Subaru Solterra featured a 14-inch infotainment touchscreen standard on all models, replacing the previous 8-inch and 12.3-inch screens. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, dual USB-C ports for each row, and a 7-inch digital instrument cluster were standard. Dual wireless smartphone chargers were standard in Canada, with a Harman Kardon premium audio system on Luxury and Technology trims. The 14-inch screen was easy to reach but not elegantly integrated. Subaru offered a voice assistant and built-in navigation with a data subscription, and digital-key functionality with a three-year trial period.

The 2026 Ford Mustang Mach-E borrowed from Tesla with a large, 15.5-inch centre touchscreen in portrait style. It included a 10.2-inch digital instrument cluster showing basic information. The Sync 4A software was starting to fall behind, but the screen was easy to operate, with over-the-air updates available. The Ford Connectivity package included a 5G Wi-Fi hotspot, real-time navigation, audio and video streaming, and a voice assistant. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a digital key, and a wireless charging pad were standard, with a 10-speaker B&O system available.

The 2026 Subaru Solterra featured Subaru’s camera-based EyeSight driver-assist system with standard features like emergency steering assist, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, lane keep assist, and more. A 360-degree camera system was standard on Luxury and Technology models. Earlier versions earned an IIHS Top Safety Pick+ award and a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA.

The 2026 Ford Mustang Mach-E came with Ford’s Co-Pilot 360 Assist+ suite of standard safety features, including automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist, and more. Ford’s BlueCruise hands-free driver-assist system was optional, with a one-year or lifetime purchase option. BlueCruise handled steering, throttle, and brakes on mapped highways, with automatic lane changes. The Mach-E earned a Top Safety Pick award from the IIHS and five stars from the NHTSA.