We’d Rather Go Farther than Faster

On this road trip, we didn’t make use of one of the Trailseeker’s prodigious off-road abilities, which we sampled in our first drive. The Trailseeker features 8.5 inches of ground clearance and X-Mode, which was developed, for both the Trailseeker and bZ Woodland, by Subaru. We’ve no doubt the Trailseeker will venture further off road than one might expect from an electric SUV. But with 275 miles of range, how far off the beaten path are you willing to go? So far, no one has invented a way to deliver a can of electricity to the middle of nowhere. (Though you can get portable electricity in a bigger container.)

The Trailseeker’s range might be the biggest barrier to its claim as a new-age Olds Vista Cruiser. (Then again, that old Rocket V-8 was good for around 12–14 mpg, so its range wasn’t much better.) We’ve been bellyaching for some time about Toyota and Subaru EVs needing a longer tether, and we wonder if cutting the Trailseeker’s prodigious power output might be one way to get the dual-motor, all-wheel-drive version above 300 miles. More range, quicker charging, and perhaps a little more thought put into the back seat and the center console would make the Trailseeker a contender for the ultimate family truckster.

Then again, the Trailseeker, as it is, can dust off Camaros and Mustangs at the stoplight rally, just like moms of yesteryear could do in their Rocket-powered Vista Cruisers—and who are we to deny suburban parents that pleasure?

2026 Subaru Trailseeker Touring Specifications
BASE PRICE	$48,005
PRICE AS TESTED	$48,800
VEHICLE LAYOUT	Front- and rear-motor, AWD, 5-pass, 4-door electric SUV
POWERTRAIN	F: permanent-magnet motor, 224 hp, NA lb-ft R: permanent-magnet motor, 224 hp, NA lb-ft
TOTAL POWER	375 hp
TOTAL TORQUE	NA
TRANSMISSIONS	2 x 1-speed fixed ratio
BATTERY	74.7-kWh NMC lithium-ion
CURB WEIGHT (F/R DIST)	4,556 lb (52/48%)
WHEELBASE	112.2 in
LENGTH x WIDTH x HEIGHT	190.8 x 73.2 x 65.9 in
TIRES	Bridgestone Turanza EL450 235/50R20 100V M+S
EPA FUEL ECONOMY, CITY/HWY/COMBINED	125/103/114 mpg-e
EPA RANGE	274 mi
70-MPH ROAD-TRIP RANGE	223 mi
MT FAST-CHARGING TEST	120 mi @ 15 min, 190 mi @ 30 min
ON SALE	Q2 2026
MotorTrend Test Results
0-60 MPH	3.9 sec
QUARTER MILE	12.5 sec @ 110.5 mph
BRAKING, 60-0 MPH	123 ft
LATERAL ACCELERATION	0.81 g
FIGURE-EIGHT LAP	26.3 sec @ 0.72 g (avg)