For the longest time ever, Subaru has been an enormous laggard in the EV space, with no new or exciting all-electric models to speak of. Then, when they finally launched an EV, the Solterra, it felt more like a stop-gap car or a half-hearted attempt, rather than a strong push toward an expanding electrified line-up. Thankfully, the tides are beginning to change with Subaru, as the brand has since unveiled not one, but two brand-new all-electric SUVs. This time around, their all-new 2026 Trailseeker and a highly refreshed and facelifted 2026 Solterra, built on Toyota’s e-TNGA/e-SGP electrified platform shared with Subaru, actually seem superbly competitive!
In other words, this means you’re getting shared components and a familiar skeleton to the all-electric Lexus RZ and Toyota bZ4X, namely sharing key bits with the battery, motor, and chassis between them. Regardless, Subaru is keen to showcase that while it’s piggybacking off Toyota’s homework, it’s all-Subaru underneath. Starting off with the Trailseeker, you get dual motors in the front and rear, outputting a combined 375 hp and 450 Nm of torque. Additionally, with the generous 74.7 kWh lithium-ion battery pack underneath, Subaru promises that you can get up to 260 miles (or 420 km) of range from a single charge, and it has quick charging, to boot.
Trailseeker – A Huge, Risky New Bet For Subaru
Speaking of, the Trailseeker comes with an onboard battery preconditioning system to ensure that you can more effectively make use of the 150 kW DC fast-charging tech. On top of that, with a NACS (North American Charging Standard) compatible charging port, you could access the Tesla Supercharger network and other public fast-chargers way more easily. To ensure its Subaru-ness remains intact, the new Trailseeker features Subaru’s legendary Symmetrical full-time AWD system, with dual-function X-MODE (Snow/Dirt, Deep Snow/Mud). Combined with its fairly noteworthy 8.3-inch ground clearance, you can tackle rough terrain with ease.
In keeping with the adventurous spirit of Subarus today, the Trailseeker EV also comes with a pleasantly high towing capacity, rated to tow up to 3,500 lbs (or 1,590 kg), which ought to be enough to tow boats, trailers, or a bike rack, too! All this fantastic capability is then wrapped up inside a rugged exterior, blending your typical electric vehicle silhouette with some proper off-roading styling touches, like the protective lower cladding and raised roof rack. If you are struggling over whether to choose the Trailseeker or the Solterra, know that the Trailseeker is actually the larger of the two, with a bigger cargo area and more passenger headroom.
Solterra – Like A Phoenix Rising From The Ashes
On that subject, the refreshed Subaru Solterra has seen a flurry of iterative improvements over the old model, making it a far more competitive choice. Namely, the 74.7 kWh battery and the fancy-new preconditioning system, just like the Trailseeker, mean that you now get 25% more WLTP range over the old Solterra, especially in colder weather. Moreover, once those batteries do run flat, the updated 2026 Solterra charges even faster than the old one! Specifically, it will complete a 10% to 80% fill-up in a mere 30 minutes when you plug it into a 150 kW charger, even at -10 °C, offering you way more usability and drivability in a diverse range of climates.
Powering the refreshed Subaru Solterra is a choice of either the standard model, with its dual motors in the front and rear, cranking out a modest 233 hp. Alternatively, there is also the XT model, gaining you even more powerful twin motors for a total output of 338 hp. To celebrate the evolution of the Solterra, Subaru has even redesigned the exterior, now boasting a cleaner look compared to the older models. Of course, as Subarus go, the Trailseeker and Solterra will come fitted to the brim with the brand’s EyeSight ADAS suite. If you are interested, the all-new Solterra is slated for a UK launch in early 2026, with the Trailseeker following in mid-2026.
