Subaru has officially unveiled its newest electric SUV, the 2026 Trailseeker, offering the closest experience yet to an electric Outback. The model is set to launch overseas next year, although its arrival in Australian showrooms remains uncertain for now. Marketed as the "Trailseeker" in the United States, this new vehicle is essentially an extended version of Subaru’s existing Solterra SUV. While it shares many of the same front-end body panels and door designs as the Solterra, the Trailseeker features a noticeably elongated rear section to provide additional space and functionality.
Subaru has been keen to emphasize that the Trailseeker is a product of its own engineering team, suggesting there will be no Toyota-branded twin, unlike the Solterra, which shares much of its design with Toyota’s bZ4X. Although there’s no confirmation yet regarding its availability in Australia, it has been announced that right-hand drive models will be available in the United Kingdom starting from mid-2026.
Significant updates have been made to both the suspension and all-wheel-drive systems of the Trailseeker. Subaru claims that the new SUV benefits from front and rear acceleration sensors that actively adjust according to dynamic forces experienced during acceleration, braking, or cornering, thereby enhancing traction and overall vehicle stability. The Trailseeker measures 152mm longer and 25mm taller than the Solterra. While Subaru has yet to reveal the specific cargo capacity, the focus of the redesign is clearly on providing a larger and more practical boot space.
On the exterior, the Trailseeker sports standard roof rails and offers a choice between 18-inch and 20-inch alloy wheels. It also incorporates the updated Solterra’s closed-off front fascia, along with a unique, full-width tail-light bar exclusive to the Trailseeker.
Inside, the cabin is modernized with the inclusion of a 14-inch touchscreen — carried over from the 2026 Solterra — alongside a redesigned interior layout. Buyers can expect premium features such as a Harman Kardon audio system, a 360-degree camera system, dual wireless phone charging pads, a panoramic glass sunroof complete with a sunshade, and both heated and ventilated front seats. Additionally, a radiant heater warms the front occupants’ legs for added comfort.
The Trailseeker also comes equipped with multiple off-road driving modes, including settings for Snow/Dirt and Deep Snow/Mud, complemented by hill descent control. Ground clearance stands at a robust 210mm, further enhancing its off-road capability.
In terms of safety, the Trailseeker is well-appointed, offering autonomous emergency braking (AEB), lane-keeping assistance, adaptive cruise control, front and rear cross-traffic alerts, blind-spot monitoring, and Emergency Stop Assist as standard equipment across all variants.
Performance-wise, the Trailseeker is positioned as the fastest vehicle Subaru has ever produced. It features dual electric motors that generate a combined output of 276kW, an increase from the 252kW seen in the updated Solterra, allowing the SUV to accelerate from 0 to 97km/h in a claimed 4.4 seconds. It is expected to deliver a driving range exceeding 418km on a single charge, courtesy of its 74.7kWh battery pack. Additional capabilities include a towing capacity of 1587kg and access to Tesla’s Supercharger network in the U.S. thanks to a NACS charging port.
The 2026 Subaru Trailseeker is scheduled to arrive in U.S. dealerships early next year.