The largest of Subaru’s three battery-wed choices will avail in two specifications.

THE largest of three readily available candidates that might re-ignite Subaru’s electric car presence here will avail in two formats, one slightly cheaper than the Toyota twin already here and the other slightly pricier.

Announcement has come today of October availability of the Trailseeker, a version of the Solterra we’ve previously seen but with drivetrain improvements and a larger body.

The model is technically identical to the Toyota bZ4X Touring already here.

A Trailseeker AWD Touring that will head Subaru’s push is also much of a muchness for specification.

That car will cost $72,490, against $71,990 for the Toyota.

Subaru also has a cheaper Trailseeker AWD, which has an identical drivetrain, but for $68,990 loses some comforts and divests the top model’s 20-inch rims for 18s - a change that boosts the WLTP range from 488 kilometres to 533km.

Subaru NZ confirmed months ago it was taking Trailseeker, but at that point suggested it would have just the Touring.

Inchcape NZ general manager Paul Mallard said today the additional variant had been added in response to consumer response.

Production of both the Toyota and Subaru product is from a common factory in Japan and it appears the same supply limitations that have already seen the 2026 allocation of bZ4X exhaust might also weight on the Subaru, with Mallard indicating supply is limited. He said the first allocation was already accounted for.

With the Trailseeker now sorted, Subaru here does not appear to have discounted potential smaller sister models - the compact Uncharted and an updated Solterra - might yet also show as well.

TNZ also has the regular bZ4X wagon and is considering their version of the Uncharted, which badges as a CH-R Plus electric. The market leader also holds at least one example of the Urban Cruiser, a baby electric that is their version of the Suzuki e-Vitara.

As per the Toyota choice, the Trailseeker models have a 255kW/438Nm powertrain fed by a 74.7kWh lithium ion battery supplied by China’s CATL.

A cited 0-100kmh time of 4.4 seconds makes the Trailseeker the fastest accelerating car Subaru has ever sold.

Both can tow 1500kgs. The Tourings have vehicle-to-load charging, but not vehicle to grid (that’s only on Japan market cars). The entry Trailseeker loses V2L.

Subaru distribution here is with Inchcape, which also fronts the make in Australia - where Trailseeker, Solterra and Uncharted are all already available.

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.

Mallard says the car’s first allocation having sold out even ahead of confirmed local pricing “highlights the excitement and confidence New Zealand customers have in the next evolution of Subaru performance and electrification.”

“There's a real sense of possibility that comes with Trailseeker … it's a vehicle that encourages you to say yes to the detour, the weekend away, or the road you've never taken before.

“That's always been part of Subaru’s adventurous DNA, and it's something we've worked hard to preserve as we continue our journey towards electrification.”

Notwithstanding the enthusiasm for promoting the cars aptitude for adventuring, it appears the Trailseeker has the same issue that might keep bZ4X drivers from going too far off seal - the lack of a spare wheel.