Better Than An Ioniq 5?

Toyota may share in the development of the Trailseeker, but this is the first electric vehicle with a Subaru badge that feels like a proper member of the family. There’s good power, solid off-road capability, and the sort of exterior styling only Subaru faithful could love.

There’s nothing groundbreaking here in terms of EV performance. Subaru utilizes a 400-volt architecture, and the Trailseeker’s max charging speed is just 150 kilowatts. Still, the automaker manages to imbue this EV wagon with an adventurous spirit.

Subaru set us loose on winding Southern California roads, as well as a prepared off-road course. Rainy weather ensured that each one allowed us to really test just how much Subaru is baked into the Trailseeker.

Unlike the smaller Uncharted, Subaru only offers the Trailseeker with all-wheel drive. A pair of AC synchronous permanent-magnet motors supplies 375 horsepower, while Subaru’s Symmetrical AWD setup moves torque around as needed. The Trailseeker makes good use of the Dual-Mode X-Mode drive system, too.

This setup allows you to select the Snow/Dirt or Deep Snow/Mud drive modes, as well as activate Downhill Assist Control. We made good use of the Mud drive move on Subaru’s prepared off-road course, which features off-camber climbs, offset whoops, and a few quick corners.

Anytime the Trailseeker needed a bit of help ascending a steep, slippery section, all I had to do was maintain consistent throttle pressure. The system would figure out where to put the torque, and the Trailseeker easily walked up features I suspect 95 percent of owners would never attempt. Even more impressive is the fact that the car rides on all-season tires.

You’d lose some range with a swap to all-terrains, but the Trailseeker would prove even more capable. Factor in the 8.5 inches of ground clearance, 360-degree overhead camera, and standard headlight washers, and it’s pretty clear Subaru wants owners to put this to work off pavement.

Photo by: Subaru

Pros: Proper Subaru Capability, Great Power, Priced Well Under $50,000

Subaru visually separates the Trailseeker from the Toyota bZ Woodland with its distinct headlight treatment. In the rear, you’ll find Subaru lettering that illuminates at night. While the base Premium trim wears 18-inch wheels, the upper Limited and Touring models are outfitted with 20-inch wheels as standard kit. They’re not as good-looking as the ones on the Uncharted, sadly. 

Inside, Subaru fits the Trailseeker with a tremendous amount of features right on the base model. The Trailseeker Premium boasts a large 14.0-inch center touchscreen, EyeSight Driver Assist tech, heated front seats, dual wireless phone chargers, and a power rear liftgate. There’s a lot to like, considering the starting price is just $41,445.

Photos by: Subaru

Photos by: Subaru

Bump up to the $45,445 Limited, which is the sweet spot in the lineup, and now you’re rocking with a Harmon Kardon sound system, the 360-degree monitor, heated rear seats, and a steering wheel. Another bonus is the 120-volt outlet in the rear. That’s a good spot for a small powered cooler, perhaps?

If you really want the fanciest version, you’re snagging ventilated front seats, a panoramic glass roof, and the ability to pay extra for two-tone paint. That’s on the Touring model, which starts at $48,005.

Photo by: Subaru

Cons: Slow-ish Charging Speed, Overkill Cladding, No All-Terrain Option

On California’s curvy roads, the Trailseeker is just as playful as the Uncharted we tested on the same day. Even better, however, is that it packs far more power, offers much more interior space, and the longer wheelbase means a smoother ride.

Part of our enjoyment behind the wheel comes from Subaru’s ability to keep the weight relatively low. Low, at least, by current EV standards. The heaviest Trailseeker Touring hits the scale with a 4,565-pound curbweight. That’s just 85 pounds heavier than the Uncharted GT. It’s also 660 pounds lighter than the new Audi RS5 Avant.

Not that those compete against each other, we just thought it would be fun to continuously point out how heavy that new Audi really is. 

Photo by: Subaru

Subaru uses the same 14.2:1 steering ratio for the Uncharted and the Trailseeker. But the extra shove of the Trailseeker delivers a more entertaining ride on and off pavement. Pair that enjoyment with more interior space, slightly more ground clearance, and not much higher pricing, and the Trailseeker sticks out as a great electric option in the Subaru lineup.

Verdict

Photo by: Subaru

Despite the Toyota bits inside and out, the Trailseeker looks and drives like a real Subaru product. We were smiling on the dirt, pleasantly surprised all the way across California’s Ortega Highway, and walked away from the car with a lot of positive thoughts on the brain. Especially considering you can fully deck one out and arrive a few grand under the current national average transaction price for all new cars.

Still, this one isn’t for everyone. The market for an all-electric adventure wagon isn’t a huge one, but Subaru says more than 35 percent of its current customers would consider an EV. So, there are definitely some interested parties.

Photo by: Subaru

We’d like to see Subaru take the Trailseeker even further, too. The success of the Wilderness offerings shows that Subaru could apply that same product planning to the Trailseeker. There would be a range penalty, but perhaps it’s a small enough one for customers to accept?

Toyota is already thinking that way, it seems. Oddly enough, the automaker offers a no-cost all-terrain tire option for the bZ Woodland. That should be a no-brainer here on the Trailseeker as well. An odd misstep on an otherwise enjoyable vehicle.