Subaru debuts Trailseeker, an all-electric SUV coming for Rivian’s outdoorsy EV customer base

Subaru is back with a new EV, and like its predecessor the Solterra, the all-electric Trailseeker SUV includes a bit of Toyota handiwork.

Subaru of America revealed the 2026 Trailseeker SUV on Wednesday at the New York International Auto Show. The EV, the second in the Japanese automaker’s portfolio, looks familiar in a hey-that-looks-like-a-Subaru sort of way. It’s reminiscent of the gas-powered Subaru Ascent, but is physically smaller. Others might see a little Outback in Trailseeker.

It’s bigger than the Solterra, the all-electric subcompact crossover born out of a joint project with Toyota and that entered the U.S. market in 2022.

Either way, the Trailseeker aims to give customers another EV option — and one that lands squarely in the outdoorsy lifestyle arena — than the Subaru Solterra. That could put the Trailseeker up against the upcoming Rivian R2, which is expected to go into production in 2026. Although Rivian, which will produce the R2 in the U.S., may have a distinct advantage over Subaru in these tariff-laden times. The Trailseeker will be assembled in Japan.

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The Trailseeker and its 2026 Solterra counterpart do share some engineering DNA, including a new propulsion system. Subaru didn’t provide many details on the propulsion system or the new underlying platform of the Trailseeker. That information, along with pricing, should be shared before the Trailseeker goes on sale at retailers nationwide in 2026.

The Trailseeker comes with a number of design features and systems that are synonymous with Subaru, including an all-wheel drive system supported by two electric motors placed on the front and rear axles. Those dual motors provide 375 horsepower and allow the Trailseeker to tow up to 3,500 pounds.

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Subaru says this new EV is designed to go anywhere and the company’s engineers were responsible for tuning the suspension and all-wheel drive system. Designers gave the Trailseeker a larger cargo area and taller roof for owners to cart around all that adventure gear; the Trailseeker is about six inches longer and nearly an inch taller than the Solterra. However, that “go anywhere” claim has its limits. The Trailseeker has 8.3 inches of ground clearance, which is lower than the gas-powered Subaru Forester and Subaru Outback.

This is an EV after all, which means the Trailseeker’s powertrain includes a 74.7 kWh lithium-ion battery that provides more than 260 miles of range, according to the company. A peek at the EV charging port shows this vehicle has a North American Charging Standard port, which makes it compatible with the Tesla Supercharging Network.