By: Aoun Syed
September 7, 2026
At first glance, the 2026 Subaru Trailseeker seems like a simple electric take on the traditional Subaru wagon formula. After spending a week with one, however, I discovered it is so much more than that. Its impressive powertrain, unique cabin and plentiful technology put it in line with some higher-end EVs.
From the outside, the Trailseeker carries the aggressive, rugged look you would expect from a Subaru wagon, with a relatively low roofline and long wheelbase. There is a healthy mix of subtle contours combined with sharper edges and black plastic cladding that should take some abuse from stones being thrown at it on the highway or roads less travelled. The front LED lights do their job but are a tad on the conservative side, while the rear carries a bolder light bar-style look with an integrated illuminated SUBARU wordmark.
It is when you step inside the cabin where the changes are most noticeable compared to Subaru’s more traditional offerings. The interior has a very unique space-age feel to it, with its squared-off steering wheel, expansive dashboard and steeply raked windshield creating the illusion that the hood is barely there. The cabin is full of soft-touch surfaces, with blue accents used sparingly around the main touchpoints, as well as an interesting carpet-like material where your knees might touch beneath the dashboard and steering column.
Our Premier tester featured leather seating surfaces that provide a good amount of support and adjustment for the front occupants. The driver gets a 10-way power-adjustable seat with two-way lumbar support, while the heated and ventilated front seats add another layer of comfort. Rear occupants are treated to more than enough legroom thanks in part to the Trailseeker’s long wheelbase.
Rear cargo capacity is plentiful, with enough space in the back to carry your gear for a weekend trip and fold-flat rear seats that drop down quickly to provide additional capacity if the need arises. There is also a regular household-style 120V AC power outlet, which is perfect for camping or, in my case, when your laptop is running out of charge and the normal USB-C port will not provide enough juice.
When you start driving the Trailseeker, you realize Subaru took full advantage of its 74.7-kWh battery and dual electric eAxles. Acceleration in Power mode caught me by surprise, as the front end of this otherwise unassuming crossover almost feels like it wants to lift off at a very rapid pace when you put your foot down. This is one of the few vehicles where I found myself switching to Eco mode, which still provides considerable acceleration but makes the response much more manageable during everyday driving.
Driving dynamics in general are also a strong point that really adds to the space-age feel. As this is an EV, much of the vibration you would get from an internal-combustion engine is eliminated, which, when combined with the compliant suspension, delivers a comfortable ride with minimal jarring even over less-than-perfect tarmac. The steering feels tight and responsive, making it easy to forget about the vehicle’s long wheelbase, while the brakes have a strong bite and are prepared to stop you from getting into trouble almost as quickly as this crossover gets up to speed.
Regenerative braking is also strong, and one-pedal-style driving is achievable for much of the time, although you should still be prepared to use the brake pedal as traffic comes to or near a complete stop. Despite the minimal body roll and confidence provided by Subaru’s Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive system, it is important to remember that physics still reigns supreme and some caution should be exercised before attempting high-speed cornering.
When it comes to everyday practicality, the battery proved sufficient for roughly a week’s worth of driving. Natural Resources Canada rates the Trailseeker Premier for 444 kilometres of range and 18.2 kWh/100 km combined. With a full charge, our tester displayed an estimated 394 kilometres with the automatic climate control running, while switching the climate system off increased the projected range to 415 kilometres.
Even with occasional bursts of acceleration in Power mode and moderate-to-heavy use of the climate control, range was only mildly affected. During our testing, we achieved an indicated consumption of 17.7 kWh/100 km, slightly better than the official rating. The Trailseeker also uses a heat-pump climate-control system, helping make more efficient use of the battery when heating or cooling the cabin.
The native NACS charging port meant utilizing the wide network of compatible Tesla Superchargers was a breeze, although the location of the port can present a challenge at certain charging stations depending on cable placement.
When it comes to technology, the Trailseeker definitely packs a good amount of equipment. A standout feature in our tester was the 360-degree camera system, with a multitude of sensors making it much easier to back into tight garages. The Advanced Park system provided additional assistance, although I found the system sometimes preferred not to back fully into a parking spot.
The premium 11-speaker Harman Kardon sound system with subwoofer and amplifier provides exceptionally clear audio even at higher volume levels, with no noticeable distortion. The large 14-inch touchscreen infotainment system dominates the centre of the dashboard, while the Smart Rearview Mirror provides a clear and wider field of view compared to a traditional mirror. Dual wireless phone chargers are also positioned in the centre console.
Of course, there are also a few technology items that can be a bit fussy. The electronic rotary shifter has a slight learning curve, and the buttons surrounding the shifter require some muscle memory as several are very similar in size. The dual wireless chargers are a neat addition, but we found that at times you had to reposition your phone in order for it to start charging. The front USB-C ports are hidden beneath the shifter console and are not particularly easy to access. These are minor details that would not be dealbreakers in an otherwise exceptional technology experience.
The 2026 Subaru Trailseeker Premier carries an MSRP of $60,995. With another $2,295 for freight and PDI, our tester came to $63,290 before taxes.
The 2026 Subaru Trailseeker truly feels like Subaru made the most of the EV powertrain and then built additional features around it. The result is a unique experience that very few mainstream crossover SUVs can match, making it a compelling and reasonably priced option for someone who wants a practical electric SUV with a considerable amount of technology and power on tap.
