Keeping track of Subaru’s EVs is becoming almost as difficult as following the growth of Chinese brands in Australia.
The fully electric Subaru Trailseeker, the company’s third EV, is now on sale here, described by Sooby as the largest, most powerful and most adventurous all-electric Subaru ever offered in this country.
It joins the Solterra and Uncharted, all of them badge-engineered versions of Toyotas — in the same way that the Subaru BRZ and the Toyota 86 sports car are one-in-the-same.
Think of it this way:
- Solterra=bZ4X (original)
- Unchartered=C-HR+ (not here yet)
- Trailerseeker=bZ4X Touring (longer version of bZ4X)
Trailseeker offers 280kW of power and 536Nm of torque, enough to propel the five-seat SUV from 0–100 km/h in about 4.5 seconds.
With two electric motors, one for the front axle and another for the rear, plus a 75 kWh lithium-ion battery, projected range is a claimed 533km (WLTP).
That makes it faster than a WRX, as well as the fastest production Sooby ever sold in Australia — no mean feat.
Trailseeker can be charged at up to 150kW, using a commercial DC fast charger, with 10 to 80 per cent top-up taking about 30 minutes.
The result is a vehicle built for the daily commute as well as the long-distance travel that defines Australian adventure
Subaru says what makes Trailseeker stand out is the way delivers this performance.
Decades of rally and motorsport experience, with the lessons learned at the limit on gravel, snow and tarmac, have formed the basis for the all-wheel drivetrain.
Trailseeker brings these characteristics into the electric era, with a dual-motor Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive system supported by Driving Trajectory Prediction Control that anticipates the driver’s intended path and pre-positions torque before deviation can develop.
Combined with Dual Mode X-Mode and a Grip Control function for low-traction terrain, plus 211 mm of ground clearance, it is equally composed merging onto a motorway or powering down a dirt track.
A responsive 14.0-inch high-definition touchscreen anchors the centre console, supporting wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto for cable-free smartphone mirroring.
Directly ahead of the driver, a 7.0-inch LCD Multi-Information Display presents speed, range, drive mode and navigation in clean, fast-reading graphics.
A digital rear-view mirror replaces the conventional reflection with a live camera feed, providing a wider, unobstructed rear view regardless of passengers or cargo.
Dual wireless Qi chargers in the front centre console keep two devices powered simultaneously.
Multi-colour LED ambient lighting, a heated steering wheel and dual-zone climate control with rear vents are standard, while Touring elevates the experience with a panoramic glass roof, 10-speaker Harman Kardon audio, leather-accented seating with cooled front seats, and Advanced Park Assist with four cameras and 12 ultrasonic sensors.
Flat-floor architecture delivers a usable, level cargo area of 609 litres in the AWD and 595 litres in the Touring, accessed via a hands-free power tailgate with kick sensor.
Integrated roof rails come standard across the range, and with optional Subaru Genuine crossbars fitted, Trailseeker can carry bike racks, kayak cradles, roof boxes and rooftop tents for wherever a trip takes you.
Trailseeker AWD Touring adds a 220-volt, 1500-watt Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) outlet, turning the high-voltage battery into a portable power source for power tools, lighting and electronic devices well beyond the reach of mains power.
Trailseeker AWD is priced from $63,990, Trailseeker AWD Touring from $69,990 — both figures before on-road costs.
CHECKOUT: Subaru ventures into Uncharted territory
CHECKOUT: Subaru Solterra: Less aggressive (for some reason)
