Subaru teases rugged electric SUV ahead of New York Auto Show debut

Subaru isn’t done with EVs—not by a long shot.

Driving the news: Next week, the Trailseeker, a brand-new electric SUV for 2026, will officially debut at the New York Auto Show—joining Subaru’s redesigned 2026 Outback.

What do we know about the upcoming EV SUV?

Not much—but there are clues...

For context: Last October, Nikkei Asia reported that Toyota and Subaru were working on a new jointly developed EV for the 2026 model year. No name was attached at the time, but with this week’s announcement, it’s highly likely that the Trailseeker is that vehicle.

• There is also reason to believe the Trailseeker could share DNA with Toyota’s recently unveiled CH-R+.

• The Toyota bZ4X and Subaru Solterra EVs are basically mechanical twins, so a similar collaboration here would make sense—especially given Toyota’s modular e-TNGA platform.

Zoom out: The Trailseeker arrives at a moment of renewed momentum for both Subaru and Toyota's EV lineups.

• In Q1, sales of the Subaru Solterra climbed 73% to 3,131 units. March sales, specifically, more than doubled—from 446 to 1,154—helping Subaru notch its best overall sales month ever at 71,478 units.

• Toyota’s bZ4X got a mid-cycle refresh earlier this year with upgraded batteries, more dual-motor power, and interior tweaks. Sales jumped to 5,610 units in Q1 2025—up from just 1,897 a year prior.

Yes, these numbers aren't setting assembly lines on fire or anything, but they reflect steady momentum for brands that took more time before entering the EV market.

What’s next: EVs aren’t the only focus. Toyota, Subaru, and Mazda are also investing in next-generation combustion engines by sharing emissions-reducing technologies.

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