Maybe it was Rivian that did it. Maybe it was Hyundai with the new Ioniq 5 XRT. Either way, Subaru seems to be getting the message: more people want more electric options from the famous all-terrain automaker.
At this week’s New York Auto Show, Subaru is finally delivering in the form of a heavily updated 2026 Solterra and something we didn’t have on our bingo cards at all this year. Meet the all-new Subaru Trailseeker, an electric crossover that’s a step up from the Solterra in just about every way.
Contrary to my earlier theory (I’m wrong sometimes!) the Trailseeker is not just a re-badged version of the Toyota C-HR+, which itself is smaller than the Toyota bZ4X crossover the Solterra shares its bones with. No, this EV is actually bigger than both—it’s six inches longer, in fact, and one inch taller. Since it shares a platform with the bZ4X and the Lexus RZ, it is the largest application of that architecture to date.
Photo by: Patrick George
2026 Subaru Trailseeker Live Photos
In person, it’s basically an electric Outback—a little longer than a Solterra, but more wagon-y than anything else. That should be just what the fans want. Of course, it gets standard all-wheel-drive and comes equipped with Snow/Dirt and Deep Snow/Mud Modes, plus Grip Control and Downhill Assist Control. In other words, it should be a pretty capable off-roader under the right conditions.
Subaru equipped the Trailseeker with a 74.7 kWh lithium-ion battery, just like on the new Solterra. Here, it’s good for a Subaru-estimated 260 miles of range. While that’s less than the Solterra can manage, like that car, it also boasts a Tesla-style North American Charging Standard (NACS) port that will presumably also offer native Tesla Supercharger access. A Subaru spokesperson told InsideEVs that with its 150 kW max charging speeds, it should take the battery from approximately 10% to 80% in less than 35 minutes.
Photo by: Patrick George
2026 Subaru Trailseeker Live Photos
The Trailseeker also seems to be a very solid performer, all things considered. Subaru claims it can do zero to 60 mph in just 4.3 seconds, meaning it can easily smoke my old WRX in a drag race. And it’ll carry more cargo than that car or a Solterra. “With a larger cargo area and taller roof, compared to the Solterra, the Trailseeker offers ample space for people and their gear to explore the trails and beyond,” Subaru said in a statement.
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Source: Subaru
Pricing has not been announced, and Subaru of America declined to comment when asked if the larger Trailseeker would be more expensive than the Solterra. It may well be, but we’ll know more before the car launches in 2026.
All in all, it seems like a great fit for Subaru, whose fans have often felt left out of the EV revolution so far. Will this be the next go-car for drivers in Colorado and Vermont who want to be eco-friendly but still conquer snow with time to spare? I think it’s got a very good chance at success.
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Source: Patrick George
Contact the author: patrick.george@insideevs.com
