Subaru Solterra 2023-2026 Owner's Manual: Safe Exit Assist

The Subaru Solterra Safe Exit Assist is an advanced safety feature that utilizes rear side radar sensors mounted inside the rear bumper to monitor approaching vehicles and bicycles. This intelligent system helps occupants determine whether opening a door could result in a collision, significantly enhancing safety when exiting the Subaru Solterra.

WARNING

■ Cautions regarding the use of the system

• The driver of the Subaru Solterra remains fully responsible for safe driving practices and must always stay aware of surrounding traffic conditions.
• The Safe Exit Assist in the Subaru Solterra is designed as a supportive feature that alerts occupants to approaching vehicles or bicycles when the vehicle is stationary.

  However, this system cannot independently guarantee safety. Relying solely on it may result in accidents causing serious injury or worse.

  Because system performance may vary depending on environmental and traffic conditions, occupants must always visually confirm safety using mirrors and direct observation before opening any door.

System components

1. Multi-information display

The Subaru Solterra Safe Exit Assist system status and warnings are shown on the multi-information display. If a potential collision is detected when opening a door, a visual alert will appear. Additionally, if a door is opened while the outside mirror indicator is active, an audible warning will sound to alert occupants.

2. Outside rear view mirror indicators

When the Subaru Solterra detects an approaching vehicle or bicycle that may collide with a door (excluding the rear hatch), the corresponding mirror indicator will illuminate. If the door on that side is opened, the indicator will flash to emphasize the hazard.

3. Driving assist information indicator

This indicator lights up when the Subaru Solterra Safe Exit Assist system is disabled. At the same time, a message is displayed on the multi-information display to inform the driver.

4. Speakers

When a hazard is detected and the mirror indicator begins flashing, the Subaru Solterra will also provide voice guidance through the speakers. Once the message is delivered, it will not repeat until the door is fully closed and reopened.

■ Outside rear view mirror indicator visibility

Under intense sunlight or bright environmental conditions, the Subaru Solterra mirror indicators may become less visible, so additional caution is advised.

■ Buzzer

If the audio system volume in the Subaru Solterra is set high or the surrounding environment is noisy, the warning buzzer may be difficult to hear. Always rely on both visual and auditory alerts.

■ Voice notifications

In certain situations, the Subaru Solterra Safe Exit Assist system will not provide voice alerts:

• When the system determines that no occupants are present inside the vehicle*
• After entering the Subaru Solterra and opening a door, until the EV system is started

Additionally, voice notifications may not be available in the following cases:

• When more than 3 minutes have passed since the EV system was turned off
• When the multimedia system language does not support voice guidance
• When all doors of the Subaru Solterra are locked from outside
• When a door remains open for more than 1 minute after the EV system has been stopped
• When ACC mode is enabled via customization and the EV system is off
• When the parking assist volume setting is turned off in the multimedia system

The Subaru Solterra Safe Exit Assist system adds an important layer of protection in everyday driving scenarios, especially in busy urban environments, but it should always be used together with careful attention and responsible behavior from all occupants.

*: For every seating position in the Subaru Solterra, system judgment is performed based on door opening and closing events — prior to driving for entry, and after driving for safe exit monitoring.

■ Customization

Certain features of the Subaru Solterra Safe Exit Assist system can be individually configured through the vehicle’s customization settings, allowing drivers to tailor functionality to their specific needs.

Turning the safe exit assist system ON/OFF

The Safe Exit Assist system in the Subaru Solterra can be activated or deactivated via the customization menu. When the system is turned off, the driving assist information indicator will illuminate, and a notification will appear on the multi-information display to inform the driver.

Each time the Subaru Solterra power switch is set to ON, the Safe Exit Assist system is automatically re-enabled to ensure continuous protection.

Safe exit assist operation

■ Objects that can be detected by the safe exit assist

The Subaru Solterra Safe Exit Assist uses rear side radar sensors to monitor traffic approaching from behind. When relevant objects are detected, the system alerts occupants through mirror indicators, warning sounds, messages on the multi-information display, and voice notifications.

1. Vehicles or bicycles that present a high risk of colliding with a door (excluding the rear hatch) when it is opened

■ The safe exit assist detection areas

The Subaru Solterra defines specific detection zones behind the vehicle where approaching objects can be identified by the system.

1. Up to approximately 145 ft. (45 m) behind the front door area*

*: The faster a vehicle or bicycle approaches the Subaru Solterra, the earlier the system may activate the mirror indicator, increasing the effective detection distance.

■ The safe exit assist is operational when

The Subaru Solterra Safe Exit Assist will function when all of the following conditions are satisfied:

• The power switch is ON, or less than 3 minutes have passed since the EV system was turned off, or within 3 minutes after a door has been opened and an occupant has entered the Subaru Solterra (this period may extend if doors are opened and closed again)
• The Safe Exit Assist system is enabled
• The Subaru Solterra is completely stationary
• The shift position is not set to R

■ The safe exit assist will detect a vehicle when

The Subaru Solterra Safe Exit Assist detects vehicles or bicycles when the vehicle is stopped and an object is traveling parallel to the vehicle within the door opening zone, creating a potential risk when opening the door.

■ Conditions under which the system will not detect a vehicle

• The Subaru Solterra Safe Exit Assist may not detect the following objects or situations:
  • Vehicles or bicycles approaching at very low speeds*
  • Objects assessed as having a minimal likelihood of colliding with an opening door*
  • Vehicles or bicycles approaching directly from behind*
  • Vehicles or bicycles approaching from the front of the Subaru Solterra*
  • Stationary objects such as guardrails, walls, signs, or parked vehicles*
  • Pedestrians, animals, and similar non-vehicle objects*

For optimal performance of the Subaru Solterra Safe Exit Assist system, always keep radar sensor areas clean and unobstructed, and remember that this system is designed to support — not replace — careful visual checks before opening any vehicle door.

*: Depending on real-world driving conditions and the surrounding environment, the Subaru Solterra Safe Exit Assist system may detect vehicles or objects differently, including occasional detections that vary in timing or accuracy.

• In the following situations, the Subaru Solterra Safe Exit Assist may not operate as expected:
  • When 3 minutes or more have passed since the EV system was turned off (this operational time may be extended if a door is opened and then closed again)
  • When the Subaru Solterra is not completely stationary

■ Conditions under which the system may not function correctly

• The Subaru Solterra Safe Exit Assist may not accurately detect approaching vehicles or bicycles under the following circumstances:
  • When the radar sensor is misaligned due to a strong impact affecting the sensor or nearby structure
  • When the rear bumper sensor area of the Subaru Solterra is obstructed by mud, snow, ice, stickers, or other debris
  • When driving on wet road surfaces with standing water during adverse weather such as heavy rain, snow, or fog
  • When a vehicle or bicycle emerges from behind a parked vehicle near the Subaru Solterra
  • When an approaching vehicle or bicycle suddenly changes direction
  • Immediately after a vehicle or bicycle begins moving from a stationary position
  • When the rear hatch (back door) of the Subaru Solterra is open
  • When accessories such as bicycle racks, ramps, or carriers are installed at the rear of the Subaru Solterra
  • When stationary objects such as walls, parked vehicles, signs, or pedestrians are located behind the vehicle
  • When the Subaru Solterra is stopped at an angle relative to the roadway
  • When another vehicle is traveling very close to the approaching vehicle or bicycle
  • When an approaching object moves along a stationary structure such as a wall or sign
  • When an approaching vehicle or bicycle is traveling at high speed
  • When the Subaru Solterra is towing another vehicle or trailer
  • When stopped on steep inclines or declines
  • When stopped on a curve or immediately after exiting a curve
• There are also situations where the Subaru Solterra Safe Exit Assist may detect vehicles or objects unnecessarily more frequently:
  • When the sensor alignment has been altered due to impact
  • When a vehicle or bicycle approaches from directly behind but slightly offset from the Subaru Solterra
  • When the vehicle is parked or stopped at an angle
  • When a vehicle or bicycle emerges diagonally from behind a parked vehicle
  • When stationary objects such as walls, signs, or parked vehicles are present close behind the Subaru Solterra
  • When an approaching vehicle or bicycle abruptly changes direction
  • When an object travels parallel to a fixed structure like a wall or roadside barrier
  • When the rear hatch is open
  • When rear-mounted accessories are installed
  • When a vehicle or bicycle approaches at high speed
  • When towing with the Subaru Solterra
  • When the vehicle is stopped on steep slopes
  • When stopped on curved roads or just after exiting a bend
  • When a vehicle or bicycle approaches from behind another vehicle stopped in an adjacent lane

To ensure the Subaru Solterra Safe Exit Assist operates as effectively as possible, keep sensor areas clean and free of obstructions, and always combine system alerts with direct visual checks before opening any door. This approach maximizes safety in real-world driving environments.