Subaru unveils second EV, the Trailseeker, and updates Solterra

Subaru of America unveiled its second electric SUV, the Trailseeker EV, at the New York International Auto Show. The model is scheduled for sale in the US starting in 2026. Meanwhile, the brand’s first EV, the Solterra, received a facelift. It’s not clear yet if and when the Trailseeker will come to Europe.

Trailseeker EV: the name alone hints at the model’s off-road ambitions, which will feature all-wheel drive as standard. “The name Trailseeker was developed to highlight the SUV’s go-anywhere attitude with 8.3 inches of ground clearance, exceptional capability, and usable passenger and cargo space,” Subaru indicates.

Although the vehicle’s body style has led some to describe it as a raised electric estate car, Subaru refers to it as the brand’s second battery-electric SUV. In classic Subaru fashion, the Trailseeker EV will feature a symmetrical all-wheel-drive system with a 50:50 power distribution between the front and rear axles, similar to many of the brand’s combustion models.

However, in the case of the electric SUV, this does not involve a mechanical centre differential but rather two equally powered electric motors – one on each axle. The maximum power output is 276 kW. The all-wheel-drive system also includes an ‘X-Mode’ system, allowing drivers to select from various driving profiles such as Snow/Dirt, Deep Snow/Mud, Grip Control, and Downhill Assist Control.

More practical alternative

The battery, mounted in the vehicle’s floor, has a total capacity of 74.7 kWh (73.1 kWh usable). According to the US EPA test cycle, the EV’s range is expected to reach 260 miles, which is approximately 420 kilometers. The WLTP range is usually somewhat higher.

The US version will be fitted with a NACS charging port for rapid charging. The peak charging rate is 150 kW. Pricing and detailed specifications will be announced closer to the model’s market launch in early 2026.

The Trailseeker EV is positioned as a more practical alternative to Subaru’s first electric SUV, the Solterra. It is around 15cm longer and 2.5cm taller than the Solterra, which is expected to benefit boot capacity.

To further enhance practicality, the Trailseeker has standard roof rails and can be ordered with a tow hitch. The US model’s towing capacity is 3,500 pounds, roughly 1,580 kg so that a possible European version may be certified at around 1.6 tonnes.

Updated Solterra

Subaru also used the New York Motor Show to present the revised Solterra. The updated version now features the same 74.7 kWh battery, extending its range to 458 kilometers (EPA standard), a 25% increase over the previous version.

Like the Trailseeker, the updated Solterra now benefits from battery preconditioning, enabling it to take advantage of charging rates up to 150 kW under a broader range of conditions.

The Solterra’s drivetrain now delivers 171 kW, and the new Solterra XT variant introduces a dual-motor all-wheel-drive version rated at 249 kW. This version is said to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph (96 kph) in under five seconds.

AWD variants have an enhanced controller, allowing more flexible power distribution and drive force control. The Solterra also continues to offer the X-Mode system for varying off-road conditions.

New lighting signature

What the Solterra and the new Trailseeker also have in common is a new lighting signature exclusive to Subaru’s electric models. The brand’s six-star logo is now illuminated, and the new headlight design, featuring six light elements in a nod to the emblem, will be unique to the EVs. In the case of the Solterra facelift, the changes also include a redesigned bumper, new alloy wheels, and some tweaks to the rear.

The Solterra was developed in cooperation with Toyota and is based on Toyota’s e-TNGA platform. Given the similar technical specifications, it is almost certain that the Trailseeker EV is also built on this platform.

Toyota recently refreshed the Solterra sister model, the bZ4X, adding features such as battery preconditioning, although the specifications for the battery and drivetrain differ slightly from those of the Subaru models. Rather than offering a larger off-road SUV, Toyota is pairing the bZ4X with a coupé-style electric SUV called the C-HR+.