Subaru hasn’t jumped wholeheartedly into EVs so far. We’ve seen one Subaru EV, the Solterra, a rebadged Toyota bZ4X. The Solterra nailed the Subaru driving experience, but its range and charging specs were disappointing. Subaru buyers have been waiting for a more full-throated EV effort from Subaru. And that effort is about to arrive. Subaru teased a new EV called the Trailseeker, which will debut at the New York Auto Show alongside the all-new 2026 Subaru Outback.
Key Takeaways
- Subaru teased an all-new Trailseeker EV SUV
- It will debut alongside the new Outback at the New York International Auto Show
- The Trailseeker will likely be a collaboration with Toyota
- It could be a new three-row electric crossover that Toyota builds in Kentucky
- Or it could also be a new compact crossover Toyota teased in silhouette form
The Subaru Trailseeker Is a New Electric SUV
Subaru didn’t provide much information. We know the Trailseeker is an EV. We know it is an SUV. Other manufacturers will throw adventurous-sounding model names onto decidedly road-going vehicles. But we can presume that, like the Solterra, the Trailseeker will pack some off-road capability with Subaru’s symmetrical all-wheel drive. Subaru taking the teaser photo on a trail with a layer of dust over the badging and cladding lends credence to that theory.
The Trailseeker May Be A Collaboration With Toyota
Subaru has a wave of electric SUVs coming. They are expected to be BRZ-style Toyobaru collaborations. The Trailseeker likely has a Toyota counterpart. The question is which one.
One strong possibility is a three-row electric crossover — an EV take on the Ascent SUV. Toyota has confirmed a new electric SUV is coming from America. It’s likely the “bZ5X,” potentially with another name, which will be a three-row crossover. Automotive News reported last year that Toyota will build a version for Subaru and start production in 2025. Built in Kentucky and sourcing batteries from North Carolina, that SUV would be relatively immune from tariffs and eligible for the federal tax credit.
Another possibility is that it’s a compact crossover. Toyota and Subaru are reportedly working on a compact electric SUV, which Toyota may have teased in silhouette form. Per the reporting, Subaru is expected to build both variants in Japan starting in January 2026, which could leave it vulnerable to American tariffs.
When Will The Subaru Trailseeker Arrive?
We know the Trailseeker is coming for the 2026 model year. Subaru has not confirmed a production timeline. But the best guess, given the model year and the April debut, would be the car hitting dealers in late 2025 or early 2026.
TopSpeed’s Take
Subaru fleshing out its EV lineup makes sense. The brand has nailed it on all-around capability and value. But the lineup has been crying out for efficiency with more and better electric and electrified options. Whether it is a two-row or a three-row, the Trailseeker should be an SUV that, alongside the new Forester hybrid, helps keep Subaru customers looking for efficiency in the fold and attract new buyers to the brand. If Subaru can provide more range and a reasonable price point, the Trailseeker could have a far more significant sales impact than the Solterra.
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