Subaru has some big news to make at this year’s New York International Auto Show. The Japanese automaker previously confirmed plans to bring the next-generation Outback to the Jacob Javits Convention Center and now has revealed that it also will debut the Trailseeker, its second all-electric crossover. Headlight.News has more.
The Subaru Solterra made its debut as a 2023 model.
When Subaru finally got into the battery-electric game back in 2022 it relied on its bigger Japanese ally, Toyota to help develop the Solterra EV. At this year’s New York International Auto Show, however, we’ll see what happens when Subaru goes it alone.
This week brings the official debut of the new Subaru Trailseeker, the brand’s second all-electric model, and one designed to address some of the shortfalls of its original EV. Expect longer range, better performance, quicker charging and some new features, including improved off-road capabilities.
Here’s what we’ve so far learned about the new model.
“Wherever the trail leads”
Like the new Subaru Forester Hybrid, Trailseeker will have off-road capabilities and functions like X-Trail.
With its new EV set to make its official debut on Wednesday, Subaru isn’t saying much yet, a teaser suggesting we “Get ready to meet your newest adventure-ready sidekick from Subaru: the all-new 2026 Subaru Trailseeker EV SUV. See it in person at the 2025 New York International Auto Show, coming soon.”
Auto show organizers added a little more to the picture, suggesting, “This versatile, all-electric SUV combines Subaru’s legendary all-wheel drive with zero-emission performance—built to take you wherever the trail leads.”
These statements do offer a few hints, starting with the fact that the 2026 Subaru Trailseeker will offer a twin-motor drive system that will give the new EV some real off-road capabilities. Along with the electric version of the brand’s Symmetrical All-Wheel-Drive system we’re expecting Trailseeker also to feature the X-Trail function found on more conventional models, such as the new Forester Hybrid. This feature gives a driver the ability to choose from several different modes ensuring better traction in snow, sand or mud.
Longer range, improved performance
Expect the Subaru Trailseeker to adopt its own design language, rather than being a clone, as Solterra was, of the Toyota bZ4X shown here.
Subaru has had a long-running relationship with Toyota, the two working together on several products, including the little sports car marketed as both the Subaru BRZ and Toyota 86. The Solterra/bZ4X project helped the partners bring their first long-range EVs to the U.S. market. But for their badges there’s little difference between the two EVs and that led to compromises that, according to critics, meant both models fell short of expectations in a number of ways.
Conversations with several senior Subaru executives in recent months suggest Subaru was intent on ensuring its next EV would be more distinctive in terms of styling, features and functionality.
Trailseeker will not only deliver better off-road capabilities but improve on both the lackluster range and performance of the Solterra. The new EV also will have an improved electrical architecture, likely capable of handling 150 kW or higher, which should improve charging times – especially at public quick chargers.
Whether there will be a less expensive, single-motor drive system, as well, should be something we’ll learn about during the Subaru news conference on Wednesday.
More Subaru News
- Subaru Among Brands Debuting New Products at 2025 NY Auto Show
- First Drive: 2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid
- The 2026 Subaru Forester Wilderness is Ready for Adventure
A helping hand
In developing Trailseeker, Subaru all but certainly continued to partner with Toyota. Teaming up has its advantages for both brands when it comes to sharing development costs and, where useful, parts and components. That said, the goal was to come up with more distinctive products.
For its part, Toyota also is getting ready to expand its own EV line-up. As Headlight.News reported last week it plans to have 15 all-electric models in production by 2027. Its newest is already on sale in Europe and while it won’t be a clone of the Subaru Trailseeker, they’re likely to share at least some components.
The Toyota CH-R+ is available in Europe with both 57.7 and 77.0 kWh battery packs, while offering both single and twin-motor variants. There are three different powertrain ratings: 165, 221 or 338 hp.
One of the big questions we’ll clearly have an answer to on Wednesday is whether Trailseeker comes in smaller than the CH-R+ or goes a step larger than the existing Solterra. That would mean sharing components, instead, with Toyota’s upcoming bZ5X. There is a potential benefit to going that route, as Subaru could then share production capacity at the Toyota plant in Kentucky set to build the bZ5X. That would help it reduce its exposure to the new Trump administration tariffs on imported autos and auto parts. And, if still available, it could help Trailseeker qualify for federal EV sales incentives.
Look for more details on Wednesday.
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