Why the Premium Trim Should Be the First Stop for Adventurous EV Shoppers

Subaru finally put real numbers on the new Trailseeker, and the headline is simple: the base Premium starts at $39,995. According to Subaru’s pricing announcement, you also get 375 horsepower, standard dual-motor AWD, and about 280 miles of range. For buyers who liked the idea of a Subaru EV but found the Solterra a little too tame, this is the first one that actually sounds like it was built for Subaru’s typical audience.

The useful stuff is what makes the Trailseeker interesting. Subaru says the official Trailseeker page lists 8.5 inches of ground clearance, up to 3,500 pounds of towing capacity, a North American Charging Standard port with access to Tesla Superchargers, and a 10% to 80% fast-charge time of about 28 minutes. That means it is not just another soft commuter crossover pretending to be outdoorsy for the brochure.

The Premium is the trim most shoppers should price first. Subaru already bundles the big 14-inch screen, heated front seats, a power rear gate, dual wireless phone chargers, StarTex upholstery, and X-MODE at the base price, while the Limited starts at $43,995 and the Touring at $46,555. That matters even more when the 2026 Solterra starts at $38,495, because the Trailseeker is only about $1,500 more at the bottom of the lineup and looks like the more useful, more powerful choice for people who actually haul gear.

The caution flag is in range. Around 280 miles is perfectly workable, but it is not class-leading, so heavy highway drivers should still cross-shop before signing. Still, if you have been waiting for Subaru to build an EV with a little more shove, a little more cargo-friendly attitude, and a little less compliance-car energy, the Trailseeker suddenly looks like the Subaru EV worth test-driving.