The largest of three battery-wed choices has been selected for NZ duty, but two others seem easily achieved.

JUST one of three readily available candidates will re-ignite Subaru’s electric car presence here … and its a bigger bet than the predecessor.

Announcement of intent to sell the Trailseeker Touring, a version of the Solterra we’ve previously seen but with drivetrain improvements and a larger body, doesn’t discount potential smaller sister models - the compact Uncharted and an updated Solterra - might yet also show as well.

But for now, focus is purely on the Trailseeker Touring, whose shape and even name are already familiar, thanks to a Toyota twin already having entered the market, as the larger of two refreshed offers in the twinned bZ4X family.

The long bodied Touring products are a new look for here and expected by Subaru to reap richer reward than the Solterra, a donor it has now shelved - for now.

Whether from Toyota or Subaru, the Tourings have a 255kW/438Nm powertrain, 488 kilometres’ range (WLTP) and a 74.7kWh lithium ion battery supplied by China’s CATL.

Both brand cite 0-100kmh in 4.4 seconds. Which, perhaps to the disappointment of fiery rally products from the STi WRX period, fans makes the Trailseeker Touring the fastest accelerating car Subaru has ever sold.

Hence why it is sold in Australia as an SEV for ‘sports electric vehicle.’

Both can tow 1500kgs. Both have vehicle-to-load charging, but not vehicle to grid (that’s only on Japan market cars).

Which might make for better buying won’t be fully clear until Subaru comes up with a price. The obvious reference point is the Toyota, a $69,990 model. But as Trailseeker Touring won’t be availed until September, Subaru NZ is holding back on its thoughts right now.

Why then and not now? The delay in introduction seems odd in that Subaru distribution here is with Inchcape, which also fronts the make in Australia.

That’s where Trailseeker, Solterra and Uncharted are all already available and conceivably, why the latter are easily added into NZ mix should they be desired.

Trailseeker being labelled an ‘electric’ Outback reflects that it has a station wagon shape and also a similar stance.

Like Solterra, Trailseeker has a 210mm ground clearance. which means it’s just 10mm shy of the standard ride height for Subaru’s internal combustion off-road capable cars.

It is also intended to present as the name suggests; a more robust and off-seal themed alternate to Solterra, which in itself proved in its original format has surprisingly nuggety attributes.

Subaru NZ talks of it being “a new expression of excitement and adventure for the electric age, combined with the confidence, control and genuine all-wheel drive capability Subaru is renowned for.”

The belief is that Kiwi customers will gravitate to a larger, even more adventure-oriented EV that promises “genuine all-terrain confidence, wrapped in a dynamic, purposeful and exciting SUV design.”

Inchcape NZ general manager Jerry Delaney says Trailseeker will be a welcome addition “as it is a personality-packed EV.

“After we sold out of Solterra in New Zealand, we have been eagerly awaiting a new EV Subaru model here and the Trailseeker is a fantastic option.

“It delivers electric performance without compromising on confidence, control or real-world capability – the qualities our customers expect from a Subaru.

“The bonus is that the Trailseeker is a seriously quick EV … New Zealanders are going to love its performance in all conditions.”

What chance of updated Solterra and Uncharted shipping here as well as to Australia, the first to face off - as before - against the bZ4X and the latter as a handy entry product?

Delaney says: “While the all-new Trailseeker joins the updated Solterra, and the all-new Uncharted in Subaru’s global electric range - now united under Subaru’s Sport Electric Vehicle (SEV) category — we will be focusing solely on Trailseeker Touring in New Zealand at this stage.

“Inchcape New Zealand will be constantly assessing other Subaru EV models and we will keep our customers updated on any changes to our line-up,” Delaney says.

If selected for local availability in 2026, Uncharted (below) would likely enter the showroom here up to a year ahead of its Toyota equivalent, the C-HR Plus, which is also regionally-bound, but not until early to mid-2027. Toyota New Zealand has yet to indicate interest in adding it to the bZ4X family.

The market leader is also thought to have interest in a baby electric, the Urban Cruiser - their version of the Suzuki e-Vitara.

Meantime, Trailseeker and Uncharted have solid safety credentials, with both having achieved optimal five star ratings from Australasian and European NCAP.

Subaru NZ has set up subaru.co.nz/all-new-trailseeker for those keen to register interest.