2026 Subaru Trailseeker and Solterra Share the EV Spotlight in New York

New York, NY — Subaru took the stand at the New York International Auto Show with not one but two battery-electric vehicles: one a refreshed take on a current model, the other an all-new addition to the line-up.

2026 Subaru Solterra

We’ll start with the 2026 Subaru Solterra, which gets all new styling and a revised powertrain for ’26. On the styling front, the Solterra is much sleeker than previous, ditching the contrast-colour side cladding and oddly concave front fascia for a much more rounded, modern take that adds new headlight lens shapes. The hood also gets a recessed surface with some scalloping over the front fenders and there are new wheel choices as well. There’s also an all-new Subaru front lighting signature with illuminated Subaru logo.

A look inside shows that this is more of a refresh than a full-on redesign; the dual-tier dash shared with the Solterra’s Toyota bZ4x cousin and oval steering wheel return, but there is a new 14-inch central display and two wireless charge pads up front.

The big news is on the powertrain front; the ’26 Solterra gets a 26 per cent bump in range (to 450 kilometres) from the previous model and a 56 per cent bump in power (to 338 horsepower, good enough for a claimed five-second 0-100 km/h sprint) thanks to a larger battery. That also gets a new preconditioning system that provides optimal battery temperature for cold-weather charging.

2026 Subaru Trailseeker

Subaru is doubling their EV line-up for ’26 with the addition of the Trailseeker crossover. Well, they’re calling it a crossover but its long roof, long wheelbase and its stance in general screams “station wagon” to us. Indeed, considering Subaru’s penchant for stretching the “crossover” label with the Outback, why shouldn’t this new EV get a similar treatment?

With its plastic cladding ‘round the wheel wells and rocker panels (as all that migrates from the Solterra to the Trailseeker), Subaru is trying to capitalize on the trend of rough n’ tumble crossovers that offer just a little more ruggedness than their competitors. Subaru is well versed in this regard, as we take a glance at their Wilderness line of trims – with the extra plastic cladding, taller ride heights and special tires that brings — that now graces pretty much every model they make. It all adds a level of versatility adventurers seek and while they’re not saying it, it really is looking like the Trailseeker is like a “Wilderness adjacent” version of the Solterra.

Subaru is claiming less range for the Trailseeker than the Solterra, though, which is a little curious in that the Trailseeker and its larger cargo area and taller roof suggest it’s the road tripper of the two. With 375 hp, it makes more power than does the Solterra, however, and you have to think that cladding, standard raised roof rails and more offroad-ready suspension all adds weight, contributing to a slight downturn in range.

Inside, we see many elements shared with the Solterra – the steering wheel, the central display, the dual wireless chargers – but there is a little more space for the camping and adventure gear Subaru believes Trailseeker drivers will be using.

Pricing and trim details will be available closer to the early 2026 on-sale date.