Autoblog and Yahoo may earn commission from links in this article.Could This Be Subaru's Best Family Vehicle?The 2026 Subaru Trailseeker is Subaru's second and largest fully electric vehicle (the Uncharted is the third and smallest model), but it feels more capable and practical than the slow-selling Solterra. The Trailseeker expands the brand's EV formula into a larger, more capacious crossover designed for buyers who want electric efficiency, Subaru utility, and wagon looks. The new Trailseeker comes in four trim levels: Premium, Limited, Touring, and Touring Leather. It competes with its Toyota Twin, the bZ Woodland, the Chevy Blazer EV, and the Hyundai IONIQ 5 XRT.Amos KwonThe Trailseeker is positioned as a midsize electric SUV and is slightly larger than the Solterra, offering more cargo space, stronger performance, and improved practicality. It's essentially Subaru's answer for buyers who want an electric alternative to vehicles like Hybrid variants of the Outback or Forester. In Touring trim, the Trailseeker provides standard features such as gloss black hood accents, a digital display rearview mirror, radiant leg heaters for front-row occupants, and ventilated front seats. My Touring tester came with the $300 optional leather. The base price was $46,555. With the $1,450 destination charge and leather, the total price came to $48,305.Exterior and Interior Styling – 8.5/10Amos KwonThe Trailseeker massages out some of the weird styling elements of the Solterra, blending Subaru's outdoorsy design language with modern EV styling. The front end features a solid grille area with the six-beam Pleiades DRLs (symbolizing the Subaru logo, if you didn't know). It gives the SUV a blunt-looking but purposeful look in front. A black bar between the DRLs caps off the top, while a contrasting lower skirt frames the bottom. It's more SUV-like than Solterra or the Uncharted thanks to a more upright front fascia.Amos KwonView the 4 images of this gallery on the original articleAdvertisementAdvertisementThe body is creased and contoured, giving the side some nice muscularity. It's very wagon-esque in its appearance. The tall roofline, large rear hatch, and squared-off proportions help maximize cargo space, while thick wheel-arch cladding and integrated roof rails reinforce the SUV's adventure-ready personality. With 8.3 inches of ground clearance, it's not as elevated as the Outback's 8.7 inches, but it matches some Toyota RAV4 trims and outdoes other electric SUVs like the Chevy Blazer EV and the Hyundai IONIQ 5 XRT.Amos KwonInside, the design is clean and modern, the same one you'll find in the brand's smaller Solterra and Uncharted. The dashboard layout is wide and horizontal, helping the cabin feel open and airy. Materials in the Touring trim feel more upscale, with optional blue leather upholstery and soft-touch surfaces throughout the interior.Amos KwonView the 4 images of this gallery on the original articleI really like the two-tone cabin's blue and black colorway. More manufacturers need to do this because it does a great job breaking up what could be a typical dark cabin rife with blacks and greys. The overall look is more refined than most Subaru interiors, but it still retains the functional simplicity the brand is known for. The squircle steering wheel looks weird but works remarkably well.Infotainment and Technology – 9/10Amos KwonThe centerpiece of the Trailseeker's cabin is a large 14-inch touchscreen, the biggest display Subaru has ever offered. It's the same one found in some Toyota models, and the interface and climate control knobs are exactly the same but with Subaru branding. The system supports wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and the interface is more responsive than previous Subaru infotainment systems. The large screen also makes navigation, media controls, and vehicle settings easier to access.Amos KwonAdvertisementAdvertisementView the 1 images of this gallery on the original articleThe 7-inch LCD digital gauge cluster will feel familiar, as it also appears in the Subaru Solterra and Uncharted, along with the Toyota Prius, C-HR, bZ, and bZ Woodland. Designed to serve as both an instrument panel and a head-up-display-like screen, it presents key driving information clearly above or through the squircle steering wheel, depending on how the driver likes to sit.Subaru's suite of EyeSight driver assistance features also comes standard. This includes adaptive cruise control, lane centering, blind spot monitoring, and automatic emergency braking. Overall, the Trailseeker's tech package feels competitive with other electric SUVs in this price range.Thinking about selling your car? Get an instant cash offer online now. Click here to get started.Comfort, Space, and Usability – 9/10Amos KwonThe Trailseeker excels in everyday practicality. The cabin is very spacious, and I found myself really enjoying seat time for a couple hours straight, with plenty of headroom and legroom for my 6′ tall frame and my three rambunctious kids. The tall roofline helps make the rear seat especially comfortable for adults, and I could easily sit behind myself. Subaru lists the 2nd row legroom at 35.3 inches, but it feels bigger than that. I sat in the driver's seat and made adjustments to feel comfortable. I moved to row two and had inches to spare in front of my knees.Amos KwonView the 4 images of this gallery on the original articleAdvertisementAdvertisementOne nifty feature on the Touring trim is Subaru's radiant leg warmers for front occupants, designed to improve comfort in cold weather. This would, no doubt, be a boon for owners in sub-zero Chicago winters. The climate system in the Trailseeker is, likewise, excellent. The system is reponsive and effective.Cargo capacity is strong for a two-row EV SUV. There's over 30 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, and folding the rear seats significantly expands the load area. Between the occupant comfort, cargo space, AWD system, and climate system, it's one of the few EV crossovers that could realistically replace a traditional Subaru for outdoor lifestyles.Driving Experience – 8.75/10Amos KwonPerformance is one of the Trailseeker's biggest surprises. I was shocked at how quick it was. Every version of the Trailseeker is powered by a 74.7 kWh lithium-ion battery pack driving a dual-motor all-wheel-drive system. It's good for 375 horsepower, making the Trailseeker the most powerful Subaru ever produced. It launches with authority, getting to 60 mph in 3.9 seconds. Highway speeds and passing maneuvers are dispatched with authority. I climbed to 85 mph without even realizing it, and cruising feels powerful and easy.Amos KwonDespite the Trailseeker's surprisingly strong performance, it delivers a smooth ride and predictable handling that's balanced and controlled. The suspension is tuned to absorb bumps and rough pavement, which makes it well-suited for long highway drives or rougher roads. I'm not a fan of EVs, but the more I drove the Trailseeker Touring, the more I became impressed with its power and road manners. There's no feedback in the steering, but it's light and accurate.Amos KwonView the 4 images of this gallery on the original articleAdvertisementAdvertisementSubaru's AWD system also provides excellent traction in poor weather. Combined with X-Mode traction management, Grip Control, and downhill assist, the Trailseeker is more capable on dirt roads and slippery surfaces than most EV crossovers. The SUV can also tow up to 3,500 pounds, which is impressive for an electric vehicle in this class. Wet and slippery roads were no problem, and I didn't really need to adjust my driving habits.Range is estimated at about 280 miles, and the Trailseeker supports 150 kW DC fast charging, allowing the battery to recharge from 10 to 80 percent in around half an hour under ideal conditions. Subaru also adopted the Tesla-compatible NACS charging port, giving Trailseeker owners access to Tesla superchargers.Final Verdict – 9/10The 2026 Subaru Trailseeker Touring feels like a much more natural evolution of Subaru's lineup than the Solterra. It also looks better and drives better. It combines strong performance, generous cargo space, standard all-wheel drive, and real-world usability with competitive range and modern (Toyota) technology. For drivers looking for an electric SUV that can replace an Outback or Forester without sacrificing their famous versatility, I can highly recommend it. Did I mention that it looks better than either of those?This story was originally published by Autoblog on Aug 20, 2026, where it first appeared in the Reviews section. Add Autoblog as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
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