The Subaru Outback has long been a stalwart of the mid-size SUV market, but its electric counterpart, the Trailseeker, brings all the body cladding and cargo space that made the Outback a hit with outdoor enthusiasts. With an 8.5-inch ground clearance and standard all-wheel drive, the Trailseeker is well-suited for those who want to venture off the beaten path without sacrificing significant range.
The Trailseeker sits on the same Toyota platform as the bZ Woodland and C-HR, but its pure electric powertrain delivers a system peak of 375 hp and a claimed 281 miles of range. While this is not particularly impressive by today's standards, it should be more than sufficient for most daily driving needs.
On the road, the Trailseeker feels very similar to its closely related Uncharted sibling, which is no bad thing given the Uncharted's solid capabilities. However, the soft suspension does mean that body roll is a concern under cornering loads, and spirited driving may not be high on the list of requirements for most buyers.
One area where the Trailseeker truly shines is in its off-road ability, thanks to Subaru's X-Drive system and a range of drive modes. The car's independent suspension may not have the articulation to tackle truly gnarly trails, but it was more than capable of handling what most buyers will encounter on their way to a campsite or hiking trailhead.
The Trailseeker's interior space is plentiful, with high-quality cabin materials and a comfortable ride that does not sacrifice significant range for its raised roofline. However, the infotainment system does not natively support route-planning that optimizes charging, which may be frustrating for drivers planning longer journeys.
Fast-charging rates are acceptable but not strong by today's standards, with the Trailseeker peaking at 150 kWh and reaching 80 percent from 10 percent in just 28 minutes. However, this is still a significant improvement over many of its competitors, and those who plan to use their EV for long-distance driving will appreciate the convenience.
The Trailseeker's most obvious rivalry is with the Toyota products that share the same platform, although the twinned bZ Wilderness has a starting price considerably higher than the Subaru's. That gap makes the Trailseeker an enticing prospect for any outdoor enthusiast in search of an EV.
One final note on the Trailseeker is its exterior color options, which may not be particularly exciting but do include a blue-leather interior option that adds a touch of sophistication to this otherwise practical crossover.
The electric crossover segment is becoming increasingly crowded, and Subaru's latest offering, the Trailseeker, aims to carve out its own niche by blending off-road capability with comfortable on-road manners.
