Why no Trailseeker/R2 comparisons?

[Yamazaki]

There are a lot of R2/Model Y comparisons but they seem like two very different vehicles to me. One is an SUV that can off-road and the other is a slightly upsized Model 3 (sedan). Other comparisons here are also with non-offroad capable EVs (BMW, Mach-E, and Ferrari for some reason...).
In fact, it seems to me that the Trailseeker is really the only other off-roadable vehicle around that price point. So while the videos of the R2 are showing it climbing dirt roads and wading through shallow creeks, the only other EV doing that is the Trailseeker and nobody seems to be thinking of comparing the two.

I understand that a lot of people will probably chime in and say something along the lines of "most people won't take these vehicles off-road anyway, so what does it matter?", but if that were the point then the manufacturers wouldn't try to make them capable off-road. They'd just make another Tesla clone. Manufacturers make off-road capable vehicles for people who want to leave the streets. So those vehicles should be compared with each other appropriately.

I'm going to test drive the Trailseeker later today, and I'll try to report back as much as I can. I already test drove the R2, but was disappointed in how little I was allowed to do in the very short time allotted to me in the test drive. The big thing that sucks about test drives for these off-road vehicles is that we can't take them off-road!

Thoughts?

Sponsored

 

[NY_Rob]

You want to compare this..

To this?

 

[DuoRivian]

You want to compare this..

To this?

Yes fair comparison in terms of cargo capacity, interior room, speed (4 seconds 0-60), price (starts at $40k), with similar ground clearance, off road modes and heritage.
My wife is leasing a Trailseeker and while the software is crap by comparison the ride, driving dynamics and acceleration are all very good for a much cheaper price. Also Japanese built and service centers close by. Still enjoying my R1.

 

[shrink]

I think R2 vs. Jeep Cherokee Hybrid would be a good comparison. They’re similarly sized and both have good off road capabilities. I still have a 2014 Cherokee Trailhawk that I’ve driven down some rough, rocky roads.

 

[NY_Rob]

"similar ground clearance"??? Look at the chin spoiler of the Subby, now compare that to the R2, not even close.

 

[SlaterGS]

You want to compare this..

To this?

I mean, to the OP's point, everyone compares this

To this

So yea.

 

[Yamazaki]

You want to compare this..

To this?

I want to compare this


To this


Obviously, the R2 does better with AT tires and an extra inch of clearance, but is it $10K worth better? Considering the Trailseeker did what it did with AS tires...

 

[Thebandit]

You want to compare this..

To this?

It's a very fair comparison. The only two compact/midsize EUVs with real soft/off-road chops, except for some luxury models that achieve it through adjustable suspension.

The market for these vehicles overlap a lot.

 

[akc5247]

You want to compare this..

To this?

Nothing wrong with comparison. Rivian is not the be all and end all of EVs, nor is it super special. It is good, for sure, but not something from the clouds.

We will be comparing with Trailseeker as well.

 

[Thebandit]

"similar ground clearance"??? Look at the chin spoiler of the Subby, now compare that to the R2, not even close.

The Trailseeker has 8.7" of ground clearance. Not as much as the R2 but quite good for the segment, and markedly higher than any competitors.

 

[NY_Rob]

Not saying the Trailseeker isn't a decent vehicle, but depending on your definition of "off road" one of the vehicles has the chops for much more serious conditions.

 

[Thebandit]

Not saying the Trailseeker isn't a decent vehicle, but depending on your definition of "off road" one of the vehicles has the chops for much more serious conditions.

Yea the R2 is the best in the segment for off-road. But the Trailseeker is a reasonably close #2, and fits snugly into the segment that the Outback and Forester have been enjoying for 20 years. That's what a lot of people are looking for.

 

[DuoRivian]

"similar ground clearance"??? Look at the chin spoiler of the Subby, now compare that to the R2, not even close.

8.5 vs 9.6” - yeah comparable.

 

[DuoRivian]

Not saying the Trailseeker isn't a decent vehicle, but depending on your definition of "off road" one of the vehicles has the chops for much more serious conditions.

Of course the R2 is the better vehicle for serious off roading. How many in this class do that???Just as with the R1.
The Trailseeker does a decent job as a vehicle that happens to be an EV and if you want mainstream adoption of EVs then this is the right approach. They have work to do but Gen 2 is way better than their first attempt back in 2021.

 

[Yamazaki]

I have an older version of Subaru's X-Mode in my Forester and it's amazing. It's a big reason I can go play in areas that I only otherwise see Tacomas and Jeeps. The fact that Toyota added its technical off-road knowledge to Subaru's and created that new X-Mode with grip mode in the Trailseeker is bananas. If the Trailseeker had better range, it'd be almost a no-brainer for me (I still actually hate the Outback styling....).

I had a Zero DSR/X with a range of roughly 100miles, so I don't have range anxiety for daily driving or even road trips, but going to BLM country in Northern AZ will eat up all the range before you even get to the areas you want to explore.

Sponsored