Just based on build quality and reputation, I’d take a Subaru Solterra over even the highest-end Tesla any day. I live in Minnesota, and my bigger concern about Teslas is the lack of ground clearance. If I can get out of the snow bank in the ditch, I don’t need my car’s heating system to last 12 hours.
NuXCOM_90Percent@lemmy.zip 8 months ago
Would strongly suggest NOT buying a '23 Solterra. For some unfathomable reason, Subaru decided that you don’t need a rear windshield wiper. Which means you are completely blind if you are driving on a mountain row in the snow/slush and so forth. ioniq5 has the same problem.
But yeah. You have solid build quality and a frame that is heavily based on tried and true designs. Versus something where the build quality is so bad that you need to be careful if it rains…
abhibeckert@lemmy.world 8 months ago
What’s wrong with your side mirrors?
NuXCOM_90Percent@lemmy.zip 8 months ago
Many (most?) vehicles at least have those defrosting wires in the rear windshield to help improve visibility.
And for most driving, that is fine. People barely use their rear view mirror, let alone their sides. But when you are driving on a mountain road with slush and snow flying everywhere and frost on every surface of your car? You have a massive blind spot behind you (moreso if your side mirrors are frosted or sludged over) and now have to assume there is someone riding your bumper every time you decide how much you have to slow down into a curve and so forth.
I totally was not surprised to see the ioniq5 get rid of them because “Aerodynamics mean your rear window never gets dirty!”. Subaru actually make SUVs for people who do sports (whether you are a lesbian soccer mom or a climber spending a weekend at the crag) and should know better.
medgremlin@lemmy.sdf.org 8 months ago
I won’t be buying one for quite a while. I’m driving my 2021 Crosstrek with a manual transmission until it dies and I can’t reasonably repair it anymore. It’s the first new car I’ve ever had, it’s my first manual transmission car, and I’m not giving it up for anything besides another of the same in a newer model. (and unfortunately, it looks like manuals are getting phased out throughout the market)