Subaru is again with a brand new EV, and like its predecessor the Solterra, the all-electric Trailseeker SUV features a little bit of Toyota handiwork.
Subaru of America revealed the 2026 Trailseeker SUV on Wednesday on the New York Worldwide Auto Present. The EV, the second within the Japanese automaker’s portfolio, appears to be like acquainted in a hey-that-looks-like-a-Subaru form of approach. It’s paying homage to the gas-powered Subaru Ascent, however is bodily smaller. Others may see somewhat Outback in Trailseeker.
It’s greater than the Solterra, the all-electric subcompact crossover born out of a joint venture with Toyota and that entered the U.S. market in 2022.
Both approach, the Trailseeker goals to provide prospects one other EV possibility — and one which lands squarely within the outdoorsy life-style enviornment — than the Subaru Solterra. That would put the Trailseeker up in opposition to the upcoming Rivian R2, which is anticipated to enter manufacturing in 2026. Though Rivian, which can produce the R2 within the U.S., might have a definite benefit over Subaru in these tariff-laden instances. The Trailseeker can be assembled in Japan.
The Trailseeker and its 2026 Solterra counterpart do share some engineering DNA, together with a brand new propulsion system. Subaru didn’t present many particulars on the propulsion system or the brand new underlying platform of the Trailseeker. That data, together with pricing, must be shared earlier than the Trailseeker goes on sale at retailers nationwide in 2026.
The Trailseeker comes with quite a few design options and techniques which are synonymous with Subaru, together with an all-wheel drive system supported by two electrical motors positioned on the entrance and rear axles. These twin motors present 375 horsepower and permit the Trailseeker to tow as much as 3,500 kilos.
Subaru says this new EV is designed to go wherever and the corporate’s engineers had been accountable for tuning the suspension and all-wheel drive system. Designers gave the Trailseeker a bigger cargo space and taller roof for homeowners to cart round all that journey gear; the Trailseeker is about six inches longer and almost an inch taller than the Solterra. Nonetheless, that “go wherever” declare has its limits. The Trailseeker has 8.3 inches of floor clearance, which is decrease than the gas-powered Subaru Forester and Subaru Outback.
That is an EV in any case, which suggests the Trailseeker’s powertrain features a 74.7 kWh lithium-ion battery that gives greater than 260 miles of vary, in accordance with the corporate. A peek on the EV charging port reveals this car has a North American Charging Commonplace port, which makes it suitable with the Tesla Supercharging Community.
Subaru tinkered with the outside of the Trailseeker to make sure it seems different-ish from its different EV, together with redesigned headlamps, entrance bumper, and 20- and 18-inch wheels. The automaker additionally pumped up the inside with metallic finishes alongside the sprint, a middle console to carry private units, and a 14-inch touchscreen, its largest for any Subaru mannequin (that’s, aside from the brand new 2026 Solterra).
The touchscreen is a part of the Trailseeker’s infotainment system, which incorporates wi-fi Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility. Different device-focused options consists of two wi-fi, 15W smartphone chargers and two quick USB-C chargers for passengers within the again seat.
Lastly, the Trailseeker comes geared up with a complicated driver help system that may alert drivers to blind spots, in the event that they depart the lane, and braking that may have interaction previous to a collision. Different ADAS options embody adaptive cruise management, which maintains a driver-selected pace and routinely slows to take care of a specific following distance.