I drove the Subaru Trailseeker for a week — and it’s the all-electric Outback I've been waiting for

Subaru has already impressed me in more ways than I could imagine — first with the much-improved Solterra, and followed up by the compact but mighty Uncharted. While both EVs are phenomenal in their own right, a true all-electric Outback alternative has remained elusive.

Well, look no further, because the Subaru Trailseeker is essentially the all-electric version of the Outback, complete with the familiar profile that has long made it so distinguishable on the road. This all-electric SUV is built to tackle family adventures, whether that means off-road excursions or simply trekking through a busy Costco parking lot on a Sunday.

After driving the 2026 Subaru Trailseeker Touring for a week, I can say it doesn’t disappoint. Better yet, this midsize crossover SUV offers incredible value with an as-tested price of $48,400.

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2026 Subaru Trailseeker: Specifications

2026 Subaru Trailseeker: Testing summary

I drove a total of 226.9 miles in my week’s worth of testing the 2026 Subaru Trailseeker Touring, averaging an impressive 3.7 mi/kWh. For a midsize crossover SUV, that efficiency is outstanding — especially considering the generous amount of cargo space inside — easily beating the numbers I recorded with the Cadillac Optiq and Hyundai Ioniq 5.

While the Kia EV6 manages an identical 3.7 mi/kWh average, it’s a much smaller crossover with significantly less trunk space. The Trailseeker easily outclasses its rivals when it comes to efficiency across both long- and short-range driving tests. My only real complaint is the battery size, which at 74.7 kWh, falls just short of delivering a true 300 miles of range.

With Level 1 charging at home via a standard 120V outlet, the Trailseeker Touring averaged a speed of 3.01 miles per hour through its NACS port. While that isn't terrible for a household plug, I've tested other EVs with faster Level 1 recovery rates. If you have a long daily commute, you'll definitely want to look into installing a Level 2 charger.

2026 Subaru Trailseeker: What I Like

It looks practically identical to the Outback

When I think of Subaru, the Outback is the first vehicle that comes to mind thanks to its distinctive design — and the Trailseeker clearly takes inspiration from it, especially when rocking the Daybreak Blue Pearl paint job. By leaning heavily into those classic station wagon proportions, it beautifully embodies the iconic profile of the Outback’s heritage.

There’s a ruggedness to the Trailseeker's design that I really like because it looks like a proper all-electric SUV without being overly flashy or too futuristic. However, there are still enough modern touches to enhance its contemporary look, such as the sharp, hard-lined edge of the rear taillights and the clean two-tone finish.

Spacious interior

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Utility is a fundamental pillar of the Trailseeker’s packaging, so it’s rewarding to see that it delivers one of the most spacious interiors in its class. I thought the Solterra was well-equipped for moving people around, but the Trailseeker highlights a massive disparity between the two models with its plush seats, ample legroom, and sizable trunk.

The cargo bay easily accommodated my electric scooter alongside my JackRabbit OG2 Pro micro ebike — all without me needing to fold either of them down. If you need extra room to carry larger packages, dropping the rear seats is effortless, and the elongated, flat wagon roofline ensures you have plenty of vertical stacking height to work with.

Outstanding efficiency

I have to give Subaru credit here again because, just like the Solterra, the Trailseeker prioritizes efficiency — and it does so despite being a larger vehicle. The 3.7 mi/kWh average I recorded is a cut above its rivals, maximizing every bit of energy to get the absolute most out of its 74.7-kWh battery.

At a time when gasoline prices are obscenely high, the Trailseeker’s outstanding efficiency ensures massive savings in the long run. For example, if your utility provider charges a residential rate of 22.7 cents per kWh, you end up paying roughly $18.66 for a full home charge that delivers a real-world range of 274 miles.

To cover that same distance in a gas-powered Outback, you’d end up paying $40.01 at the pump (based on an average gas price of $3.95 per gallon and the Outback’s EPA-estimated 27 mpg combined). When you break down the numbers to a strict cost-per-mile metric, it comes out to an incredibly cheap 6.8 cents per mile for the Trailseeker versus 14.6 cents per mile for the Outback.

Agile driving for its size

Generally speaking, larger EVs like this don’t typically scream adventurous or thrilling — but the Trailseeker proved me wrong with how agile it feels behind the wheel. Even riding on its large 20-inch wheels, it pulls through tight curves with impressive confidence. And thanks to the 375 horsepower pumping out of its dual motors, it punches off the starting line with surprising urgency.

While it doesn’t quite match the razor-sharp dynamics of dedicated electric sports sedans like the Porsche Taycan or BMW i4 M50 Gran Coupe, the Trailseeker's athletic performance easily elevates everyday commutes and weekend road trips alike.

2026 Subaru Trailseeker: What I don't like

Noisy roof

As much as I love a sprawling panoramic roof, the Trailseeker’s opening and closing mechanism is surprisingly loud. Normally I wouldn’t be bothered by a minor cabin quirk such as this, but the obnoxious mechanical noise from the motor moving the shade definitely struck a nerve.

At the same time, I found the cabin to be unexpectedly loud when driving the Trailseeker at highway speeds. While I don’t expect the soundproofing of a high-end luxury vehicle, the wind howling around the upper glass at cruising speed is hard to ignore. I can’t definitively say whether the leakage is directly attributable to the panoramic roof's seals or the heavy-duty roof rails, but it certainly makes me wonder.

Outdated software

Much like its siblings and the Toyota bZ, the Trailseeker is in desperate need of a software overhaul. Because it shares a platform with Toyota’s EVs, the native infotainment experience feels like a clunky airplane entertainment system from the 1990s — a far cry from the clean, minimalist aesthetics found in EVs like the Rivian R1S, Volvo EX30, and Polestar 4.

The main issue is that the user interface relies far too heavily on a menu-driven system, forcing you to dig through endless submenus just to access basic vehicle features. The system is begging for a modern visual makeover. Fortunately, its saving grace is full support for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, which allows you to completely bypass Subaru's native interface for daily driving.

2026 Subaru Trailseeker: Verdict

The 2026 Subaru Trailseeker is the exact electric vehicle Subaru purists have been waiting for. Instead of trying to reinvent the wheel with an overly futuristic flare, Subaru nailed it by sticking to a tried-and-true wagon design that is impressively efficient for its size. Thanks to its agile driving dynamics and immense utility, I would absolutely recommend it as a family car.

Furthermore, it’s hard to overlook the $48,400 as-tested price of this Touring trim, especially given the premium features it packs in — including dual wireless phone chargers, a digital rearview mirror, ventilated seats, and adaptive cruise control. Competing midsize crossover EVs like the Chevrolet Blazer EV, Cadillac Optiq, and Kia EV6 can easily push well past the $50,000 mark when similarly equipped, making the Trailseeker an outstanding value that gives you much more for less.

Ultimately, Subaru has delivered a vehicle that feels immediately familiar, yet thoroughly progressive.

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