If you asked me which future electric cars I’m most excited about, Subaru models wouldn’t even make the list. I’d probably say the next-gen Chevy Bolt EV or the all-new Nissan Leaf. But car enthusiasts love surprises, and the Subaru Trailseeker EV was exactly that at this year’s New York Auto Show.
Subaru sold roughly 12,500 Solterras in the U.S. last year. That’s not bad, but that’s not a flex either, given its unimpressive range and slow charging speeds. However, Subaru says its adventure-loving and tree-hugging customer base is more curious about EVs than ever. So not only did it bring a heavily upgraded Solterra to the show, but also an off-road-ready version with plenty of emotional appeal.
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Source: Patrick George
The Trailseeker EV looks like an electric Outback, with jacked-up fender flares, body cladding and roof rails. It gets a Tesla-developed NACS charging port right from the factory, so owners won’t have to worry about finding chargers when they come out of the trails. It will also get route-planning, the car will show you the charging stations along your route.
I hope Subaru sticks to its plans, because it has indeed promised a lot on the Trailseeker EV: dual-motor all-wheel drive, 375 horsepower, 0-60 miles per hour time of just 4.4 seconds (it will likely smoke your WRX STI) and plenty of ground clearance plus cargo space for your weekend escapades.
It’ll be built in Japan, which means if tariffs stick, it could end up being pricier than its gas-powered siblings. Then again, the Solterra is doing decent numbers thanks to aggressive lease and finance deals, something Subaru might need to repeat to get the Trailseeker off the lot depending on the state of the EV market next year and the health of the economy, too.
But amid the tariff chaos and the uncertainty over the future the auto industry, the Trailseeker EV feels like a breath of fresh air. The market needs some good vibes, afterall.
Hit play on the InsideEVs walkaround video above for a closer look and drop your thoughts in the comments.
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