Jump LinksInfotainment: Lots Of Toyota To Go AroundFollowing the recently refreshed midsize Solterra and newly introduced compact Uncharted, Subaru is adding yet another EV to its lineup. Still based on the same modular platform as its siblings – which was codeveloped alongside Toyota, by the way – the 2026 Subaru Trailseeker rounds out the trio of small-medium electric crossovers with a more off-road–oriented personality than the other two. We won't bury the lede here; the Trailseeker is probably our favorite.Although most of its mechanical components are shared with a number of other Subaru (and Toyota) EVs, the Trailseeker has unique suspension tuning, and its standard dual-motor powertrain has some surprising technological panache considering the hardware is mostly the same as it is in everything else that rides on the common platform. Better still, Subaru claims best-in-class cargo space, ground clearance, and energy efficiency, making it a tasty cake that outdoor enthusiasts can eat, too.First Drive events provide our initial impressions of a vehicle in a restricted environment under certain time constraints. Keep an eye on CarBuzz for our comprehensive Test Drive review which will follow soon. What Is It? The 2026 Subaru Trailseeker is the latest of a sextet of closely related EVs built on a modular electric platform shared with Toyota. The other brand's offerings include the pint-size C-HR, the much-improved bZ, and the more conventionally crossover-shaped bZ Woodland. Subaru's respective equivalents for those body styles are the Uncharted (which we reviewed last week), the Solterra, and the Trailseeker. Unlike some of its siblings and cousins, the subject of today's first drive comes only with all-wheel drive, with a total of 375 horsepower courtesy of a higher-output front drive unit than the one found in the dual-motor, 338-hp Solterra.SubaruLike each of its family members, ranging from the cutesy C-HR and Uncharted to the aforementioned Woodland, the Trailseeker gets its energy from a 74.7-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery pack, yet despite its extended length, reduced aerodynamics, and added weight, the biggest Subie EV doesn't suffer much for range. The base Premium model can travel 281 miles per charge in EPA testing, while the more stylish 20-inch wheels of the Limited and Touring trims knock that number down to 274 miles.SubaruThat's a thoroughly decent set of specs, especially when you remember that the Ford Mustang Mach-E can't beat that estimate without resorting to a much larger 88-kWh battery – ditto the 85-kWh, 283-mile Chevrolet Blazer EV AWD. Also, note that the Subaru Trailseeker now comes standard with a Supercharger-style NACS charge port, while both the Chevy and Ford require an adapter to juice up at Tesla stations. DC fast charging between the three is a dead heat, at 150 kilowatts. The dual-motor Hyundai Ioniq 5, meanwhile can muster up 290 miles of range and charge at around 225 kW, though it is a little more expensive to start than the Subaru. Exterior Looks: The Subaru Wagon Returns! The absolute best part of looking at the Trailseeker is that it fairly closely resembles a modernized, classic Outback. Before the current model went all crossover-shaped, Subaru's signature offering was actually based on the Legacy station wagon, and its lifted-but-low-roof stance set it apart from similarly sized crossovers like the Hyundai Santa Fe, Honda Passport, and Toyota Highlander. The Trailseeker picks up the Outback's stylistic fumble – sorry, but your author just doesn't like looking at the 2026 crossover – and runs with it to become an approachable, flannel-shirted outdoorsman.2026 Subaru Trailseeker Exterior 2 Front ViewAlthough much of the Trailseeker's bodywork is shared with the Solterra, there are a few key differences. The most obvious is the longer, taller roofline aft of the B-pillar, which leads toward a more vertical cargo hatch. Wheel designs are also distinct between the two. And reflecting its role as an adventuresome EV, the Trailseeker's plastic wheel arch and bumper cladding is rendered with a textured, matte finish instead of the black or body-color gloss paint on its sleeker sibling. The wagonish electric CUV also has an extra 0.2 inches of ground clearance, for a class-leading total of 8.5.SubaruCompared to the bZ Woodland, the Subaru crossover distinguishes itself with unique front and rear styling, borrowing the Solterra and Uncharted's six-element daytime running lamps in a subtle homage to its brand logo. The changes relative to its family members give the Trailseeker a bit more personality, although Subaru's penchant for oddly proportioned plastic accents is as strong as ever; what happened to the subtle gold cladding from the Outback's first few generations? Interior: Space To Spare The base, $39,995 Premium trim comes standard with StarTex leatherette upholstery – heated up front – and a power tailgate. Opt for the $43,995 Limited middle child and you'll get a heated steering wheel and heated rear seats, plus Harman Kardon audio, a 120-volt outlet in the cargo area, and a surround-view camera. At the top of the heap is the $46,555 Trailseeker Touring, which adds a panoramic sunroof, ventilated front seats, and leather upholstery. Even after the $1,450 destination charge, the Trailseeker is cheaper to start than most of its all-wheel-drive EV competition, including the bZ Woodland.2026 Subaru Trailseeker Interior 2 DashboardIts Toyota cousin is the only electric crossover in the class to match the Trailseeker's impressive 31.3 cubic feet of cargo space, too. Fold the rear seats, and you'll find 74.0 cubic feet of room, a number that's not far off from the Outback. That big-stuff real estate comes via the higher, squarer roofline, which also gives the rear seat a little more headroom. Comfort back there is pretty good thanks to the totally flat floor that keeps three-abreast passengers from bumping knees, and there's a good amount of toe room under the front seats. Still, total legroom is at the very back of the class.First-row space is more competitive, and the novel, squared-off steering wheel provides a much better view forward, including of the digital instrument cluster. Thanks to a deep armrest cubby, oversized cupholders, open storage under the console, and large door pockets, there's also a good amount of room for wallets, key cards, and other miscellanea that seems to reproduce in our cars asexually.2026 Subaru Trailseeker Interior 12 Cargo Space Seats Up Infotainment: Lots Of Toyota To Go Around The electronics package feels more Toyota than Subaru – this shouldn't be surprising to anyone who's spent time in the Solterra or Uncharted. Still, we do wish there were a little more homegrown DNA in the Trailseeker. Nevertheless, the cabin looks trendy and modern, with a high-mounted instrument cluster and a huge 14.0-inch central touchscreen. Dual 15-watt wireless chargers are also standard. The infotainment system works fairly well, but we wish adjusting the digital instrument cluster were easier – the interface and available information feel a generation behind its rivals.2026 Subaru Trailseeker Interior 7 Infotainment Powertrain & Driving: All-Electric Finesse As mentioned above, the Subaru Trailseeker is mechanically similar to its smaller Solterra sibling (and the Toyota bZ), but included as standard is a higher-output front motor that brings total output to 375 hp. That grunt makes the midsize EV the most powerful vehicle that Subaru has ever offered in America, eclipsing even the high-performance 2019 Subaru STI S209. The Trailseeker is about as fast as its rally-bred bygone brother, hitting 60 miles per hour in a manufacturer-claimed 4.4 seconds. Despite those heady stats, however, the electric crossover drives with restrained panache, not explosive performance.SubaruSelecting Normal or Eco modes, for example, smooths out the skinny pedal's response times, ideal for puttering around town without drawing attention to yourself. And a sharp stab to the accelerator still invokes prodigious electric torque if you need to make a swift unprotected left across traffic. Dialing up to the Sport driving mode makes the Trailseeker more responsive to your toe twitches, if you need that feedback to feel like you're going fast.There are also four selectable levels of regenerative braking, but unfortunately, none offer true one-pedal driving for some reason. Calling up the max regen has a notable effect on the car's deceleration, however, improving overall efficiency in stop-and-go traffic or on long downhill stretches. A quiet, well-insulated cabin accompanies the Trailseeker's supple, smooth-riding suspension, with limited wind noise or head tossing even on Orange County's legendarily expansion-jointed concrete freeways.Of course, sitting 8.5 inches off the ground isn't a great recipe for canyon-carving, but should you find yourself feeling frisky, the Trailseeker will still oblige with a nice, stiff chassis and decent body control. Steering is unsurprisingly numb – you want it sharper, go find one of those S209s.Where the Trailseeker really excels over its platform-mates is in the sophistication of its dual-motor all-wheel drive, which Subaru took the lead on during development. While the Solterra, Uncharted, and their Toyota ilk provide front-to-rear torque balance courtesy of their separate motors, the Trailseeker is capable of some additional left-right gain for improved traction on loose surfaces. Furthermore, the regen split between the front and rear motors is infinitely variable, while the other Subaru/Toyota EVs are fixed at 70 percent front and 30 percent rear.SubaruThat all sounds like marketing gobbeldygook until you allow your Trailseeker to, um, seek a trail. Driven back to back on the same off-road course as the one Subaru set up for our Uncharted first drive, the larger SUV is noticeably more confident driving over scraggly two-track or hanging a wheel in the air over an obstacle. The Trailseeker also comes with two-mode X-Mode traction management, with settings for snow and dirt or deep snow and mud. Models with the surround view monitor – Limited and Touring – also get a low-speed off-road camera, handy when cresting blind hills or picking out a line over a boulder.2026 Subaru TrailseekerOff Road 6We drove the biggest Subaru EV in situations that few owners will ever subject their vehicles to, but it's handy to know that if you ever find yourself lost in the bush, you might be able to creep your way out. And if nothing else, a wintry commute or a campground fire road will present zero challenge to the Trailseeker. Verdict & Pricing: Don't Sleep On This One It also helps that most of that capability and power comes baked right into a product that's also the cheapest in its class, with a starting price of less than $42,000. And if you don't need our Touring tester's ventilated leather seats or panoramic roof, the middle-tier Limited is probably the best buy in the group, at a hair over $45,000. Comparably equipped, a Ford Mustang Mach-E has a list price that's thousands higher, while the spendy Chevrolet Blazer EV and Volkswagen ID.4 are well into the 50 grand range even before adding options. As usual, the Hyundai Ioniq 5 offers a compelling value, although you won't be able to opt for the rugged XRT if you want to rival the Trailseeker on price.2026 Subaru Trailseeker Exterior 1 Front QuarterThat makes the latest Subaru EV just about perfect for its target buyer, who wants to go all-electric but doesn't want to sacrifice rough-road capability or interior space. Most of its hard numbers – over 270 miles of range, 150-kilowatt DC fast charging via a NACS port, and over 31 cubic feet of cargo space – are at least class-competitive, too, so the rugged-looking EV should also appeal to flatlanders who just want to cruise around town in comfortable, quick, and outdoorsy drag. In this author's opinion, the 2026 Trailseeker is probably the most appealing member of its blended Subaru/Toyota family, giving the automaker its best shot at unseating the current EV champions.