2026 Subaru Trailseeker First Drive Review

Hotly anticipating a new Outback, fans of Subaru’s adventure-ready wagon gasped in surprise when the newest generation was unveiled.

After driving it, we now know the new Outback is dynamically and practically superior to its predecessor; and while some may still bemoan the more SUV-like styling, most of us are getting over it. Well, until we saw the 2026 Subaru Trailseeker — the latest addition to the lineup, and the largest in the company’s trio of electric vehicles (EVs).

The Wagon We Wanted

The Trailseeker is the wagon plenty of Subaru fans were pining for. The roofline arcs ever so slightly and with a greenhouse that isn’t quite as tall and square as the new Outback’s, this EV looks like a sporty wagon. In fact, with its brush-bashing body cladding around the fenders and rocker panels, it looks like the sort of adventure-ready wagon the Outback had always been — and, indeed, it’s called the E-Outback in other markets.

Add to that the six-lens daytime running lights and the sleek lightbar across the back, and it’s tough to find fault with the Trailseeker’s appearance, especially in the cheerful shade of blue this particular tester was painted in.

Dimensionally, the Trailseeker is within a chipmunk’s chin whisker of most of the Outback’s exterior dimensions. It’s a little shorter overall, which means there’s a bit less cargo capacity. But the wheelbase is 100 mm (3.9 in) longer, which means there’s a bit more room for people inside.

Time to Charge

Some Outback shoppers might worry about an EV’s range preventing them from getting the trailhead and home again, but the Trailseeker is expected to manage a reasonable 444 km on a full charge. Fitting more adventure-appropriate all-terrain tires than the stock rubber will surely diminish that somewhat, as is the case with the nearly identical Toyota bZ Woodland, which manages 418 km with its optional all-terrains.

Subaru claims a DC fast-charger can boost the 74.7-kWh battery from 10 to 80 per cent in 30 minutes in ideal conditions, with peak speeds of 150 kW. That’s fine for urban and suburban use, but those who venture off the beaten path will want to plan their recharging opportunities accordingly.

The Trailseeker is fitted with the increasingly prolific Tesla-style North American Charging Standard (NACS) port, which means plug-and-charge capability and the ability to hook up to that brand’s stations. However, only the newest ones in the network are available to non-Teslas due to a different communications protocol used by older ones.

Subaru’s companion smartphone app has EV-only features like finding nearby charging stations, charging information, and scheduling, and a digital wallet for charging subscriptions. Battery temperature pre-conditioning can be done through a submenu in the infotainment system to optimize for a high-speed recharge. 

Adventure-Ready Functionality

As if to drive home the point that the Trailseeker really is Subaru’s electric Outback, the EV has a 1,587-kg (3,500-lb) towing capacity, which matches the turbocharged Outback’s capability. The 886 L of cargo space behind the rear seat expands to 2,095 L when the 60/40 split is folded forward. The space has been designed to accommodate a large dog crate, at the request of canine-loving Subaru fans. The standard roof rails are designed to manage a 317-kg (699-lb) static load capacity, which should be more than enough for most roof-top tent adventures, too.

Despite the Trailseeker’s 215-mm (8.5-in) ground clearance being barely less than the Outback’s, this test drive took us to a curated off-road demonstration that had us piloting Subaru’s electric wagon up and over various dirt hills and moguls designed to show off the efficacy of its X-Mode drive modes in low-traction scenarios. Amusingly, the smaller Subaru Uncharted EV we also drove on the same course better managed its way around the obstacles due to its shorter wheelbase and front overhang.

Neither of Subaru’s new EVs have the sort of skid plates found on real off-road machines, but then there’s no oil pan or fuel tank to puncture, and the battery pack that spans the floor is already well protected. Still, using either EV for a serious rock-bashing excursion would be unwise.

Given the pavement-favouring, low-rolling-resistance tires fitted to these test vehicles, the Trailseeker’s computerized brain was forced to work overtime as it apportioned torque to the wheels that could best utilize it for forward propulsion. Even at a snail’s pace and with at least one wheel up in the air, the Trailseeker had little trouble maintaining momentum.

Exhilarating Performance

All Canadian Trailseeker models are fitted with the same dual-motor setup, with each front and rear unit rated at 167 kW. Combined, the output is a generous 375 hp. Those familiar with modern EVs know they typically provide thrilling acceleration thanks to their instantaneous torque delivery. That’s absolutely the case with the Trailseeker, which can rip from a dead stop to 100 km/h in roughly 4.4 seconds. It makes this adventure-oriented family wagon the quickest production Subaru ever. Yes, that includes the mighty, raw, and rally-bred WRX and WRX STI models. Acceleration from stoplight to stoplight is very swift, but even at highway speeds, there’s still ample thrust available for effortless passing.

While addictive, the Trailseeker’s power isn’t the only impressive dynamic aspect. For a midsize wagon designed to get owners to their outdoor pursuits, it handled the curvy mountain roads in Southern California with surprising aplomb. The steering communicates almost nothing of what the front tires are doing at ground level, but it reacts crisply to driver inputs, and with the bulk of the car’s mass in the floor, its centre of gravity is low, helping keep it balanced when driven at surprising speed around curves.

The Trailseeker’s 2,025-kg (4,464-lb) weight is reasonably svelte by electric SUV standards. Even then, when riding on 20-inch wheels like this tester, it would be reasonable to assume the ride would be compromised. But its suspension tuning does a remarkable job smoothing out bumps, giving the Trailseeker the sort of ride quality and handling balance typically found only in premium cars.

Comfy Cabin

The Trailseeker’s cabin provides good head- and legroom for both front- and second-row seating. The back seat allows for three-across accommodations, and there’s no drivetrain tunnel through the floor to interfere with the middle passenger’s legroom.

Outward visibility is excellent, especially for the frontward views, where the low dashboard design opens up sight lines considerably. The top trim has leather seating, while others are finished in all man-made materials.

The 14-inch infotainment touchscreen has wireless smartphone connectivity for Android Auto or Apple CarPlay, plus there’s a pair of wireless chargers on the centre console. The system’s operation (and appearance, replete with climate control knobs) will be familiar to those who’ve been in a modern Toyota, since it’s the same interface found in the bZ Woodland and others. Likewise, the twist knob gear selector is shared with Toyota’s EVs, too.

Pricing and Timing

The Subaru Trailseeker is expected to show up in Canadian showrooms this spring. The Trailseeker is being offered in three trims, with the entry-level Touring arriving with an MSRP of $54,995. The mid-level Limited rings in at $57,995, while the range-topping Premier is $60,995. That keeps the Trailseeker competitive with the likes of the Ford Mustang Mach-E, Chevrolet Blazer EV, and even the Tesla Model Y. Surprisingly, it also undercuts Toyota’s bZ Woodland when comparing equivalent trim levels.

Final Thoughts

Although Subaru is positioning the Trailseeker to appeal to the same sort of active lifestyle folks that have sought out models like the Outback, only time will tell if those buyers are willing to chase their adventures with an EV. But even if the Trailseeker is primarily relegated to the pavement, it’s a stylish, smooth, comfortable, and properly quick utility vehicle that should be a pleasure in everyday scenarios. That the 2026 Subaru Trailseeker offers great all-round capability, handsome styling, and a solid value makes it a very compelling machine, and worthy of fulfilling the electrified Outback position in the lineup.