Like Kia, Subaru debuted a trio of new 2026 models at the 2025 New York Auto Show, including the Outback wagon and two electric SUVs: the redesigned Solterra and all-new Trailseeker.
Subaru: 2025 New York Auto Show
2026 Subaru Outback
Outback will enter its seventh design generation for 2026. While Subaru calls it an SUV, it’s more like a station wagon of yesteryear but with an off-road-inspired raised suspension. With more than 3 million units sold since its original debut 30 years ago, the company is hoping the new model will appeal to loyalists and newcomers alike. Subaru is touting increased cargo room and passenger comfort for the 2026 model, saying the former is improved by 2 cubic feet while wind noise has been reduced by 10 percent. A redesigned control stack moves climate functions to dedicated buttons instead of being integrated into the infotainment display.
Most 2026 Outback models will use a revised 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine with 180 horsepower and 178 pound-feet of torque. The top-line XT and Wilderness grades get a 2.4-liter turbocharged engine that produces 260 horsepower and 277 pound-feet. Naturally, all-wheel drive is standard along with 8.7 or 9.5 inches of ground clearance. Pricing and a full feature list will be available closer to the vehicle’s late-2025 on-sale date.
2026 Subaru Solterra
The second-generation Subaru Solterra also launched at the 2025 New York Auto Show. Co-developed with Toyota (which sells its own version as the bZ4X), the 2026 Solterra sees new styling, more available power, and improved range. The revamped exterior design makes this SUV look a bit more conventional than its somewhat radical-looking predecessor, which should help give it a broader audience. Interior changes are more subtle with the addition of a new 14-inch central infotainment screen.
The biggest Solterra news comes “under the hood” where the company is boasting markedly improved driving range of 285 miles from the outgoing model’s 227. A new battery preconditioning system is designed to optimize charging performance even in cold weather. Horsepower for the standard motor improves to 233 from 215. A new XT grade gets more powerful dual electric motors with a total of 338 horsepower. Pricing and final feature availability will be released when the 2026 Subaru Solterra goes on sale later in calendar 2025.
2026 Subaru Trailseeker
Finally, Subaru revealed a brand-new electric SUV: the 2026 Trailseeker. This is a more off-road-oriented model, though with 8.3 inches of ground clearance, that’s less than the 8.7 Subaru offers with its gas/electric hybrid Forester. The Trailseeker will have a dual-motor propulsion system with about 375 horsepower and an estimated 260-mile range. It’s 6 inches longer overall and about an inch taller than the Solterra, which the company says is used to enhance its cargo-carrying capacity. This SUV is set to fully launch in early 2026 at pricing that will likely be higher than that of a comparable Solterra.
CG Says:
The Subaru Outback has Fdeveloped a very loyal following during its time on the market, and we’re pleased to see it continuing for another generation. The redesigned Solterra’s more conventional styling and longer driving range should broaden its appeal. Trailseeker has us scratching our heads a bit. The idea of an electric SUV that can go off-road doesn’t seem logical because if your battery runs out of juice, you’re more than likely to wind up stranded. Subaru’s own Forester Hybrid is a far more sensible purchase since it has more ground clearance than the Trailseeker, not to mention the ability for the owner to bring a can of gasoline should it run out.
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Subaru: 2025 New York Auto Show Pictures
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