2026 Subaru Trailseeker review

Up to now, there were no electric station wagons – but the Subaru Trailseeker changes that.

You could confuse it for an SUV, especially given its all-wheel drive system and high ride height, but this is a crossover wagon that offers a more pragmatic alternative to its sibling model, the Solterra, with a focus on additional practicality. And while it is an enticing option, there are some shortcomings that could turn some customers off.

How much does the Subaru Trailseeker cost?

There are two versions to pick from in the Trailseeker range, with a $6000 gap in pricing.

The entry-level model is simply known as the Trailseeker AWD, and starts off from $63,990 plus on-roads. The more richly equipped Trailseeker AWD Touring grade is $69,990 plus on-roads, but – because of its nicer-looking large wheel package – has significantly less EV driving range.

That positions this long-body model $2000 higher than the related Solterra ($61,990), and the flagship model is identically positioned to its fraternal twin, the Toyota bZ4X Touring ($69,990).

Subaru offers a five-year/unlimited kilometre warranty for the vehicle, while the battery has an eight-year/160,000km warranty. Servicing is needy by EV standards, at 12 months/15,000km – but there is the choice of prepaid servicing, or a capped-price plan for five years.

What is the Subaru Trailseeker like inside?

Subaru’s EV range is like a copy+paste job.

They all have the same interior design, with a few subtle differences here and there. But the reality is that, if you sit in this car and can’t get your position quite right because of the strange steering wheel shape and driver info cluster position, you won’t be alone.

Thankfully there are dials for climate management, but fan, recirc and other adjustments are icons on the big screen that manages most of your controls. There are demister buttons (including for the side mirrors), as well as regular switches and stalks for mirrors, windows, blinkers and wipers.

Storage is good throughout and the Trailseeker will fit a family of four – and their stuff – with ease.

The back seat is roomy enough for big boppers, and there are USB-C ports and directional vents, which should stop squabbles.

The boot offers an advantage over the Solterra, with up to 609 litres of cargo capacity. There are heaps of hooks for bags and other items, a light, and a hidden storage area under the floor for your cargo cover and charging cables. But sadly, there is no spare wheel on offer at this stage, just a tyre repair kit. This seems like a strange decision for a car that’s supposedly adventurous.

What equipment does the Subaru Trailseeker come with?

The starting point includes LED lighting all around, 18-inch wheels with aero covers, roof rails, X-Mode off-road tech, and plenty of interior goodies. Front and rear seat heating, electric front seat adjustment, a heated steering wheel and fake leather are pleasing features for a base model, while all models come with a 14-inch touchscreen featuring Apple CarPlay and Android Auto wireless connectivity, built-in sat nav, a pair of wireless phone chargers, and a digital driver info display.

Choosing the top-grade Touring nets you bigger, cooler-looking wheels that have a dramatic effect on EV range, and it scores a massive panoramic glass roof with an electric shade. It also has a better 10-speaker Harman Kardon sound system, an auto-parking system, driver’s seat memory settings, ventilated (cooled) front seats, and a vehicle-to-load 220-volt /1500-watt plug in the boot area.

How safe is the Subaru Trailseeker?

ANCAP awarded the Subaru Trailseeker a five-star rating based on 2025 testing of the related Toyota bZ4X and Subaru Solterra models. It has the full complement of safety gear, including a driver monitoring camera, front and rear auto-braking, and speed sign recognition. Eight airbags, too.

What powers the Subaru Trailseeker?

The Trailseeker is Subaru’s most powerful production car, with a combined maximum 280kW of power from its dual-motor system. The performance specs are startling, with a 0-100km/h claim of 4.5 seconds.

Both versions have a 74.7kWh battery, with the entry grade claiming EV range of 533km (WLTP), while the slightly heavier, bigger-wheeled top-end version has a range of 488km.

Both have AC charging capability of 22kW (three-phase power required), which should mean a speedy top-up of about four hours. Use 7kW charging, and it’ll take approximately 12 hours. If you choose to charge at a public station, the maximum rate is 150kW, translating to a potential 10-80 per cent charge in 30 mins.

The Trailseeker has a CCS 2 DC charging port, but only the top-grade model has vehicle-to-load (V2L) capability, with the boot-mounted outlet limited to just 1500 watts.

What is the Subaru Trailseeker like to drive?

It’s largely delightful to drive.

There’s a confidence and predictability on offer from the dual-motor all-wheel drive system, and you’re never going to feel shortchanged on power, either.

It finds the horizon faster than you’d expect a Subaru wagon to do, whether the surface is loose, wet or dry.

The steering is predictable, and it’s easy to park, with the standard surround-view camera system and parking sensors helping out. If you’re a bad parker, own it, and buy the high-grade model which can do autonomous parking for you.

The ride comfort is a strong suit for daily duties and highway hauls, making it worthwhile road-trip option for families and singles alike.

Even the safety technology is mostly well mannered. If you’re driving how we should all drive, it won’t interrupt. But if you look away for too long it will chirp to warn you, and if you’re wandering in your lane it will apply some corrective force. The adaptive cruise control system can also take the load off for lengthy drives with steering assistance, too.

We were very impressed with the efficiency figures on test, at 15.7kWh per 100km in the entry grade (claim: 15.4) and 17.5kWh per 100km in the Touring (claim: 16.8).

For those who plan to venture off-road, there is some terrific technology to help you out. Subaru’s X-Mode can operate a hill-descent control braking system, and there’s a hill gradient assistance system as well. Trigger X-Mode on, and you also get a very handy front-view camera to help you feel more confident on uneven terrain.

Be mindful though, it can be quite sharp over bumpy roads because the underbody architecture is extremely stiff around the battery pack.

Open Road’s take on the Subaru Trailseeker

For an existing Subaru customer who is looking to electrify their lifestyle with an Outback-style wagon, this is going to be enticing. But for those who are keyed into the EV life and expect the latest and greatest, the lack of over-the-air capabilities and connected services could rule it out, and so might the lack of spare tyre.

What we liked

• It’s a wagon!
• Achievable range and good efficiency
• Handy capability off-road

What could be better?

• No connected services technology
• No spare wheel
• Limited usability for vehicle-to-load