2026 Subaru Trailseeker EV Reveal, the poor mans Rivian?

[Imnotsure]

Subaru fixed the power issue but dang, 260 miles is more like 150 in the cold. That just wouldn’t cut it for me. I thought I could handle a standard range Mach E (211 miles) back in 2021 and I definitely regretted it in the winter.

But what is the lowest priced/smallest battery R2 going to be rated at for range? 250? That's the 45k one right? 300 mile version will push it north of 60k I'm sure.

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[Rivdog]

But what is the lowest priced/smallest battery R2 going to be rated at for range? 250? That's the 45k one right? 300 mile version will push it north of 60k I'm sure.

Probably around 250-260 is my guess for the base. Considering the max pack upgrade is 10k right now, I don’t think the cheapest long range option will be 60k - probably closer to 55k or 10k more than whatever the base ends up being.

But either way, the 45k base R2 is a far, far better vehicle than the Subaru even if the range is the same. I like Subaru (I bought 4 brand new ones since 2014, including my 2020 Ascent that I still own) and am surprised at how badly they’ve now missed the mark again, IMO, considering how well they’ve generally hit it over the past 15 years.

 

[Imnotsure]

Probably around 250-260 is my guess for the base. Considering the max pack upgrade is 10k right now, I don’t think the cheapest long range option will be 60k - probably closer to 55k or 10k more than whatever the base ends up being.

But either way, the 45k base R2 is a far, far better vehicle than the Subaru even if the range is the same. I like Subaru (I bought 4 brand new ones since 2014, including my 2020 Ascent that I still own) and am surprised at how badly they’ve now missed the mark again, IMO, considering how well they’ve generally hit it over the past 15 years.

Yeah, my first was a 2016 Outback. Currently have a 2020 Crosstrek (32K mi) and 2021 Forester (20K mi). Obviously, both have several years left in them, but I'm getting the itch for a new vehicle (EV). Budget wise, I may sell both and scale down to just one to afford something in the 45k-50k range. R2 is definitely on my watch list.

I've heard that Toyota will produce their own Trailseeker version built at the Subaru Gunma plant. It's like a flip flop of what both did the with the Solterra/bZ4X!

 

[DuoRivian]

Probably around 250-260 is my guess for the base. Considering the max pack upgrade is 10k right now, I don’t think the cheapest long range option will be 60k - probably closer to 55k or 10k more than whatever the base ends up being.

But either way, the 45k base R2 is a far, far better vehicle than the Subaru even if the range is the same. I like Subaru (I bought 4 brand new ones since 2014, including my 2020 Ascent that I still own) and am surprised at how badly they’ve now missed the mark again, IMO, considering how well they’ve generally hit it over the past 15 years.

I don’t think they have missed the mark. It is the right price, competitive range (quite similar to a standard R1) and is actual fast at 4.4 seconds. Level of equipment seems reasonable. Toyota/Subaru have shown they are willing to evolve quickly - as shown by the newer bZ4X/Solterra which have addressed range and charging concerns. They will continue to evolve and catch up all while building reliable vehicles with nearby dealers.

 

[Rivdog]

I don’t think they have missed the mark. It is the right price, competitive range (quite similar to a standard R1) and is actual fast at 4.4 seconds. Level of equipment seems reasonable. Toyota/Subaru have shown they are willing to evolve quickly - as shown by the newer bZ4X/Solterra which have addressed range and charging concerns. They will continue to evolve and catch up all while building reliable vehicles with nearby dealers.

So you’re gonna buy one?

 

[mkg3]

Looks like the Trailseeker is the new Outback, and the Outback is the step up Forester.

Since Toyota owns 25% of Subaru and the way Japanese companies work together, its no surprise that they share platforms and builds.

 

[DuoRivian]

So you’re gonna buy one?

I will certainly look at it. I have an R2 reservation and I prefer the Rivian design language (inside and out) as well the OTA capability. But having an option of similar size, similar (if not cheaper) price, with similar performance and range (to be confirmed) is worth considering.

 

[Rivdog]

I will certainly look at it. I have an R2 reservation and I prefer the Rivian design language (inside and out) as well the OTA capability. But having an option of similar size, similar (if not cheaper) price, with similar performance and range (to be confirmed) is worth considering.

Fair, it was more of a tongue in cheek thing. It’s a far better vehicle than the Solterra, and yes the dealer network is a huge bonus if things go wrong. I’d miss the front trunk too much and the interior is just no where near the level of quality as Rivian. The standard pack Rivians do have a similar range, but we have options for up to 400 if needed while the Subaru only has one. If you actually wanna take it out in the backwoods, 260 just isn’t enough.

For daily stuff, sure, no big deal, but 320ish isn’t enough for me now that there are SO many more EVs that need the limited charging options available. I used to be of the opinion that 200ish miles was enough range and even had a Mach E with about 211 before the Rivian - that’s when I truly learned to appreciate how limited I was, and that was back when there was never a line to charge anywhere. Maybe I’m being too harsh on the Subaru compared to its non-Rivian competition though since it’s indeed pretty comparable to the options from Kia, Ford, Hyundai, and similar - but those aren’t marketed as off-road, backwoods adventure vehicles like the Subaru. It’s making the R2 look like an even better value though.

 

[DuoRivian]

Fair, it was more of a tongue in cheek thing. It’s a far better vehicle than the Solterra, and yes the dealer network is a huge bonus if things go wrong. I’d miss the front trunk too much and the interior is just no where near the level of quality as Rivian. The standard pack Rivians do have a similar range, but we have options for up to 400 if needed while the Subaru only has one. If you actually wanna take it out in the backwoods, 260 just isn’t enough.

For daily stuff, sure, no big deal, but 320ish isn’t enough for me now that there are SO many more EVs that need the limited charging options available. I used to be of the opinion that 200ish miles was enough range and even had a Mach E with about 211 before the Rivian - that’s when I truly learned to appreciate how limited I was, and that was back when there was never a line to charge anywhere. Maybe I’m being too harsh on the Subaru compared to its non-Rivian competition though since it’s indeed pretty comparable to the options from Kia, Ford, Hyundai, and similar - but those aren’t marketed as off-road, backwoods adventure vehicles like the Subaru. It’s making the R2 look like an even better value though.

We need to compare to the R2 not R1. So interior quality is likely to be closer and from the reveal last year it sounded like around 270 and 330 mile range. Let’s see the specs and how it compares at the $45-50k price. I like the frunk but it’s not essential or even in most EVs now but good to have choice.

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