Subaru Trailseeker AWD 2026 Review

Considering the Outback nameplate has equity in Australia, it’s odd Subaru has decided to create all-new branding for its utilitarian, jacked-up wagon SUV. In fact, other markets run with E-Outback.

However, while it feels like the philosophical shift forward, the 2026 Subaru Trailseeker AWD has its own distinct identity. The dual electric-motor setup provides prodigious pace and creates the modern version of all-wheel drive, while the wagon body style fosters family pragmatism.

There are two versions to choose from, with the entry-level model tested here costing $63,990 plus on-road costs (ORCs). The $69,990 Touring is unchanged mechanically but offers a bit more kit and visual bling with 20-inch wheels.

Again, as for direct rivals, no other electrified SUV pairs an adventurous nature and capability quite like the Trailseeker – especially with its X-Modes. Of course, there’s the Toyota version, the bZ4X Touring. But other than that, road-focused EVs like the BYD Sealion 7, Skoda Enyaq RS, Tesla Model Y, Zeekr 7X and the upcoming Zeekr 7GT match the Subaru on pace.

The Trailseeker is covered by a five-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty with an eight-year/160,000km plan for the lithium-ion CATL battery pack. Only a year of roadside assistance is included free of charge.

Dealership visits are required a little more frequently than some EVs, with servicing periods of 12 months or 15,000km (whichever comes first). The first five years (or 75,000km) are capped at $984.18, which averages out to a very respectable $197.

With the Outback taking on an SUV aesthetic, the electrified 2026 Subaru Trailseeker AWD swooped in to make sure the famed Japanese brand had something to offer in the niche segment it pioneered. And with its own distinctive design, it cuts an attractive silhouette.

Although the aerodynamically efficient 18-inch alloys wrapped in low-rolling-resistance tyres (Yokohama Advan) aren’t as appealing as the 20-inch wheels fitted to the Touring. Still, the Trailseeker gains plastic body cladding and racks to complete the adventure-ready styling.

The base model AWD also includes LED projector headlights, LED taillights and a full-length light strip that highlights the ‘SUBARU’ branding – what happened to traditional badges? There is also a powered tailgate with kick sensor, a shark-fin antenna and keyless entry (front doors only).

Inside, the Trailseeker is cloaked in synthetic leather, while the front seats are eight-way power adjustable (including lumbar) with heating. The steering wheel and outboard rear seats are heated, too, while the former is wrapped in leather. Dual-zone climate control and a digital rear-view mirror are also standard.

Spending an extra $6000 to upgrade to the Touring throws in kit like a panoramic sunroof (with sunshade), black/blue part-leather trim, ventilated front seats, memory setting for the driver’s seat and mirrors, auto parking and a Harman Kardon sound system with 10 speakers.

The Trailseeker AWD is available in six colours, with Crystal White Pearl and Crystal Black Silica at no extra cost. If you want the colour of our test car, Brilliant Bronze Metallic, or Magnetic Grey Metallic, Sapphire Blue Pearl and Daybreak Blue Pearl, they’re $660 extra.

One of the biggest benefits of platform sharing with Toyota is that the 2026 Subaru Trailseeker AWD adopts some of the big T’s active safety systems. Therefore, the driver-monitoring system is far better calibrated than items seen in the Forester and Outback.

Essentially, you don’t really need to turn anything off. And despite the fact that’s made easier with specific menus within the infotainment screen, it’s laid-back to live with when left alone. The traffic-sign recognition is equally well behaved.

Other highlights of Subaru Safety Sense include autonomous emergency braking (AEB) with pedestrian, cyclist and junction detection, rear AEB, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, lane-departure warning with active lane keeping, rear cross-traffic alert, parking sensors and a panoramic 360-degree view camera.

The Trailseeker attained a five-star ANCAP safety rating in 2025, while it’s fitted with eight airbags, two ISOFIX points and three top-tether anchorages.

While there’s nothing groundbreaking, the 2026 Subaru Trailseeker AWD is tech-savvy – for the most part.

The big 14-inch touchscreen clearly runs Toyota’s operating system and graphics. This means there aren’t any physical dials for climate and audio, apart from two rotary temperature controls and a volume knob. The process is made easier given that things like fan speed are always docked to the bottom of the display.

Ahead of the driver is a high-mount 7.0-inch instrument cluster. It’s on the smaller side and doesn’t try to flatter visually with a plethora of themes, but it gets the job done. Having dual wireless charging pads is a useful inclusion, especially given the Trailseeker utilises wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

Native satnav, Bluetooth, DAB+ digital radio (as well as AM/FM), USB-C charging ports, voice activation and a six-speaker stereo are standard.

However, it’s a shame that the Trailseeker doesn’t come with connected services (which means no remote access) or over-the-air (OTA) updates. Also, you must step up to the Touring if you want to utilise vehicle-to-load – although it maxes out at just 1.5kW.

No, the dual electric-motor setup can’t match the lusty acoustics generated by the Outback 3.6R of old, but that car wouldn’t see where the 2026 Subaru Trailseeker AWD went from the traffic-light grand prix.

In the new world of bonkers EV performance, going from 0-100km/h in 4.5 seconds is almost tardy. However, it feels very brisk from behind the wheel and it’s realistically more straight-line prowess than any family with a dog in the back will ever need.

Combined, the permanent magnet synchronous e-motors generate 280kW to make this the most powerful production Subaru. And unlike other offerings spawned off this platform, both front and rear units produce the same 167kW and 268Nm for a more even power delivery.

Speaking of, that’s a refreshing trait of the Trailseeker. Trundle around in Normal mode (there’s also Eco/Power) and the throttle calibration is progressive, meaning it’s easy to drive smoothly. Flick to Power mode where everything sharpens and acceleration is never left wanting.

The 2026 Subaru Trailseeker AWD offers a 74.7-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion CATL battery. Both variants use the same setup, but because the base car is fitted with smaller wheels and low-rolling-resistance tyres, its range bumps out to 533km compared to the Touring’s 488km.

Therefore, looking good does come at a cost. And 45km is significant if you drive longer distances.

Officially, the energy consumption is rated at 15.4kWh/100km, while we recorded 16.1kWh/100km after a week of testing. That’s pretty efficient given more than half our driving was done outside city limits with off-road sections.

As for charging speeds, the Trailseeker gains a pass mark. The DC rate is capped at 150kW, which equates to a 10–80 per cent replenishment in about half an hour. While finding a public station that offers a rate higher than 150kW is rare within Australia’s current poor infrastructure, other EVs harness greater potential.

As for AC connections, it tops out at 22kW for a charge time of four hours, while it’ll take 12 hours with a 7kW wall box at home. The latter would be the ideal scenario. The Trailseeker also has five levels of regenerative braking that are accessed via the steering wheel-mounted paddles.

While co-developed with Toyota, the 2026 Subaru Trailseeker AWD is built at the brand’s Gunma Yajima plant in Japan and uses the e-Subaru Global Platform (e-SGP).

Not only do the smaller wheels aid efficiency, but with the chubbier tyre sidewalls (235/60 R18), the base-model AWD gains a layer of cushioning to its ride quality, too. Some short and sharp imperfections can occasionally cause issues and overall, the Trailseeker is soft, but it isn’t uncontrolled.

The handling is more competent than fun. Many will see the performance figures and think the Trailseeker is a WRX for the family. It isn’t. While the wheelbase remains the same 2850mm as the Solterra, the Trailseeker’s added length means it prefers open-radius bends on a flowing country road.

Like the well-tuned throttle, the dynamics are tailored to make it a pleasing experience over a heart-racing one. The steering wheel’s peculiar shape is polarising, and while it turns in nicely with agreeable weighting, it is short on feedback.

The traction control system is quick to intervene and cut power. However, with the Trailseeker’s AWD EV platform apportioning equal amounts of grunt to each axle, it doesn’t feel front-biased. And despite the more eco-focused tyres, there’s plenty of grip available on tarmac.

What about off it?

Can the 2026 Subaru Trailseeker AWD get places the majority of other EVs would struggle to? One hundred per cent yes. Can it get as far off-road as something like Subaru’s own Outback Wilderness? Unlikely.

However, that’s a harsh comparison because the Trailseeker does bring a genuine element of off-road capability – it isn’t merely lip service. Subaru has even included its X-Mode traction-control system that includes provisions for snow/dirt and deep snow/mud ruts.

There’s also 211mm of ground clearance and, of course, AWD thanks to the powerful twin e-motors.

Which all became useful when the 2040kg Subaru sank in soaked, overgrown grass next to a maintained dirt road. Harnessing the theory of ‘if in doubt, power out’, the Trailseeker mercifully clambered out of peril using the more hard-core X-Mode. Wheel speed definitely overtook road speed.

Ultimately, the off-roading EV is limited by its ground clearance and moderate approach, departure and breakover angles. Yet, it still stands that the Trailseeker will get you further off sealed surfaces than you might think.

It’s also great if you want the added traction for dirt roads to a campground or for that winter holiday to the snow. The headlight washers are a blast from the past and the multi-terrain monitor is a must-have considering the short approach angle.

If you need to lug anything about, there’s a useful 1500kg braked towing capacity. However, for a vehicle projecting a modicum of off-road talent, it’s odd for the Trailseeker not to offer a spare wheel – not even a space saver.

If you’ve sat in other Subaru or Toyota electric vehicles and you’re getting a sense of déjà vu, then you’d be right. The 2026 Subaru Trailseeker AWD largely carries over the interior used by the shared platform.

Which isn’t necessarily a bad thing for quality and features, but it doesn’t feel or look bespoke. Yet, there’s an ergonomic issue with the Trailseeker that means you must test drive it before you buy.

The instrument cluster is positioned high in the dash, negating the need for a head-up display – according to the manufacturer. However, depending on your body type, it means the steering wheel’s position is critical for your line of sight. It’s either too high or too low for most; the rest find it ‘just’ right.

While not everyone can attain the Goldilocks seating position, the oddly shaped steering wheel is a constant. Still, it houses a stack of buttons that become intuitive to use over time. As does the swivel dial for the drive selector, which is flanked by a few physical controls.

The seats are comfy and overall vision out is clear, a factor that is helped by the front three-quarter windows. Overall sound deadening is good, but there is some tyre roar on coarse surfaces at highway speeds. The ambient lighting adds a touch of flair at night.

Storage is an issue. While there are big bottle holders in the door cards, you’re acutely aware that the Trailseeker is missing a glovebox and the dual charging pads rob storage for bits and bobs. The floating centre console does liberate space underneath, though, and there’s a central bin, too.

Space in the back is generous, with ample legroom and headroom on offer. There’s toe room, too, while the seatbacks recline for extra comfort. Although, thigh support is lacking due to the way the raised floor positions your knees. The heated rear pews are a nice inclusion for a base model, as are the directional air vents, USB-C ports, map pockets and central armrest.

With all the Trailseeker’s extra length over the Solterra being added past the rear axle, cargo capacity is the winner. The base model’s boot is 609 litres (14L bigger than the Touring), which expands to 1230L with the 60/40-split folding rear seats stowed.

There are myriad handy hooks and tie-downs in the boot (and even in the roof), as well as remote seat releases so you don’t have to reach over to stow them. The cargo blind can be stored underneath the flat floor, but there’s no spare tyre, just charging cables.

The 2026 Subaru Trailseeker AWD is not only easy to like but also pleasing to live with. It’s a refreshingly well-rounded offering, one that stands apart from the slew of Chinese rivals.

Out of the brand’s current EV trio, the high-riding wagon is the one to have.

Yes, the charging speeds could be better, more range would be nice and thinking of the Trailseeker as an Outback with an EV powertrain isn’t the right way to approach it. However, there’s stacks of effortless performance wrapped in a pragmatic package that can get dirty off-road – within reason.

And in a phenomenon that seems to be becoming a trend with Subaru’s current line-up, buying the entry-level Trailseeker is the way to go. Although, those 20-inch rims do look fantastic…

2026 Subaru Trailseeker AWD at a glance:
Price: $63,990 (plus on-road costs)
Available: Now
Powertrain: Two permanent magnet synchronous motors
Output: 167kW/268Nm front and rear
Combined output: 280kW (no combined torque figure)
Transmission: Single-speed reduction gear
Battery: 74.7kWh lithium-ion CATL
Range: 533km (WLTP)
Energy consumption: 15.4kWh/100km (WLTP)
Safety rating: Five-star (ANCAP 2025)

Join the conversation at our Facebook page
Or email us at editor@carsales.com.au