[RabidRat]

New Subaru, supposedly to be revealed at the New York Auto Show on Wednesday:

https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/8wl.OBSmLP.s1WWdC7_7Kw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTY0MDtjZj13ZWJw/https://media.zenfs.com/en/road_track_223/6a2160a3ec9be8bf0bae2defffcc635c

There's speculation that it's twins with the upcoming Toyota bz5x:
https://images-stag.jazelc.com/uploads/theautopian-m2en/big-yota-suv-e1744601455177.jpg

[bcrdukes]

Is the intention to build these cars and let them sit on a lot unsold? :confused:

[JDMDreams]

Running out of lesbians to buy them?

[RabidRat]

But trailseeker!! It's the call of the wilderness. The outdoor thrill of the hunt... for adventure!!

[JDMDreams]

Should have called it the bushseeker :pokerface: :joy:

[RabidRat]

I think you're missing the point here. The tailgate is clearly covered in so much dust. From the trail. They seeked it and then they found it. And then they drove on it.

[radeonboy]

Unless my friend from the inside is BS'ing me, the Trailseeker is an Ascent-sized 3-row EV based on a Toyota EV platform. There's also a Crosstrek-sized EV coming in the near future - also based on a Toyota platform.

[JDMDreams]

It honestly kinda looks like a Honda prologue with that long and flattened look. The all glass sides looks cool but if that's only a prototype I doubt it will make it into production.

[mikemhg]

Because an EV is exactly what I want to go trailseeking in :lol

[Qmx323]

^ Better bring them solar panels :lol

[RabidRat]

Non-beliEVers...!!

[AstulzerRZD]

My friend got us press passes to NYIAS … I’m super pumped to see more electric CUVs and Hyundai Palisades reveal /s

Maserati has 20 minutes; what could they be announcing that’s going to require the same amount of time as Toyota?

VW has a full 55 minutes; 25 more than anyone else

[trollface]

prob lacks steering feel and driving expereice

[AstulzerRZD]

New Subaru, supposedly to be revealed at the New York Auto Show on Wednesday:

https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/8wl.OBSmLP.s1WWdC7_7Kw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTY0MDtjZj13ZWJw/https://media.zenfs.com/en/road_track_223/6a2160a3ec9be8bf0bae2defffcc635c

There's speculation that it's twins with the upcoming Toyota bz5x:
https://images-stag.jazelc.com/uploads/theautopian-m2en/big-yota-suv-e1744601455177.jpg

It’s gonna be a BZ5x. Kentucky’s been retooling and got 1.3B out into it to produce a 3 row EV.

Batteries will be LG; none of which fast charge well. The LG Ioniq charge 20% slower than the SK ON Ioniqs.

Tbh LG screwed GM too - they led a lot of component design; the blazer/equinox charge super slow and don’t fast charge well with AC on.

[AstulzerRZD]

Ah looks like VW will be showing new 3rd gen Tiguan, likely the LWB Tayron/Tiguan Hybrid.

[Badhobz]

Ain’t gonna save them from circling the drain. I’m almost certain VW will pull out of the NA market shortly. Tariffs or no tariffs.

[JDMDreams]

I finally saw a plated id buzz on the streets, and I'm like who's stupid enough to pay $100k for this.

[radeonboy]

I finally saw a plated id buzz on the streets, and I'm like who's stupid enough to pay $100k for this.

I went from seeing 0 ID Buzzes in the first 3 months to 4-5 within the last week. Same goes for the Macan EV.

Given how many BZ4Xs are out there in Vancouver, I think the BZ5X/Trailseeker will sell ok. The Solterras are moving alright with a $12k adjustment from Subaru Canada.

[AstulzerRZD]

Yeah Audi’s pretty done - their leases were already uncompetitive and the tariffs hit all of their volume sellers.

Curious what makes ya think they’re gonna exit though:

Sales volume wise, Volkswagen/Audi/Porsche are up quite a bit from last year even with fairly old product.

[JDMDreams]

I don't get the appeal of VW/ Audi. Like who buys them, they seem like the German Nissan, and the only reason you buy is you want a German car, but too poor for Benz or BMW. They always seem to be the more conservative plain version of that class. Not as nice, doesn't drive as good, or as fast, cheaper looking. But still have 100% of the issues.

[AstulzerRZD]

Image wise in NY, BMW and MB is not that socially acceptable unless it’s a chauffeur driven S class.
- M car or coupe? South Brooklyn Trump supporter/street racer vibes
- SUV give Long Island and not the Hamptons
- MB coupe/convertible is hood vibes
Audi/Porsche are the acceptable liberal high end working professional car.

Product wise
- 2015-2019 A4 had the F30 beat with interior quality and driver assists.
- RS3/6 still have a real inline 5 and V8 compared to turbo I4 AMG/PHEV M5
- A7 is beloved by active dads in CA/CO/MA
- 3.0 Superfharged Q5/S4/A6/7/8 were infinitely more reliable than N54/55 BMW

A lot of the south and north east really values stealthier wealth… Audi supports that.
If you’re in a flashier place, the Porsche/Lambo equivalent of the Audi product supports that too.

Keep in mind, California alone moves more units than all of Canada

[RabidRat]

Turns out...

It's a Solterra wagon!

Seems like roughly similar specs as to the updated Solterra / BZ4x:
-375hp dual motor
-420ish km range
-150kW charging

https://www.motortrend.com/files/67fd5fedd08778000854b4ab/2026subarutrailseekerevallelectricsuv-6.jpg

https://www.motortrend.com/files/67fd5fefa0d58d00080b2e66/2026subarutrailseekerevallelectricsuv-7.jpg

https://www.motortrend.com/files/67fd5fe8d08778000854b4aa/2026subarutrailseekerevallelectricsuv-2.jpg

I mean it's not awful. Surprised they didn't try to jam a 3rd row in there. Maybe the Toyota twin will attempt it.

[JDMDreams]

So ev outback, it looks nothing like the render. The current solterra is pretty wagon as it is with the hatch back

[radeonboy]

I quite like this - it's better looking than the new Outback/facelifted Solterra and 375hp powertrain was a surprise.

An EV Outback / Solterra wagon is a pretty apt description. This would be on my radar if I was in the market.

[AstulzerRZD]

A lot of "meh" on NYIAS floor about the trailseeker / solterra
Mostly because it's going to fast charge like dogshit even though they fixed the range and NACS.
Consumers don't want choice/compromise - they want confidence and the Trailseeker/Solterra offer nothing here.

Outback has much better reception because they took away a lot of the compromise:
- Compared to old Subaru Screens got fixed, now using Toyota system
- Compared to Toyota/Honda Hands free level 2 self drive till 85mph.
- Compared to old Wilderness Adaptive dampers that control body roll and pitch more fix customer complaint
- All trims get water resistant leatherette, "Nappa" optional
- 2 inches taller, extra inch of ground clearance
- Steering from "WRX"

LMK if there are any other releases you want me to go look at on NYIAS floor (I have press pass)
VW is about to have their event.

[underscore]

I was fully prepared to mock this thing but it actually looks pretty good apart from the black plastic around the wheel wells.

[TypeRNammer]

https://insideevs.com/news/756758/subaru-solterra-2026-refresh-range/

The Solterra got a face lift

[AstulzerRZD]

I'm curious how their range went from 220 miles to 280 miles.

But charging is still last-last gen: 35min 10-80% means 75kW average or 1hr+ in the winter.
They were benchmarking Tesla, which take 33 minutes.

Compare to Ioniq at 16min, averaging 170kW (higher than Solterra max).
Or Zeekr 7X which 9 minutes, average 336kW.

[68style]

Let me know if there's something that doesn't make anyone but the average dimbulb sleepy just looking at it

[JDMDreams]

No sti or hood scoop no buy

[RabidRat]

LMK if there are any other releases you want me to go look at on NYIAS floor (I have press pass)

Were you able to sit in the Trailseeker? How are the back seats, can it slide back for a lot more room? Or is the interior space actually just exactly the same as the Solterra / BZ4x, just with an extended cargo area?

[radeonboy]

Were you able to sit in the Trailseeker? How are the back seats, can it slide back for a lot more room? Or is the interior space actually just exactly the same as the Solterra / BZ4x, just with an extended cargo area?

The wheelbase is the same and the extra length appears in the cargo area, so seating dimensions are likely the same as the Solterra.

This video doesn't mention anything about sliding 2nd row seats either.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rfVcis6qKBA

[roastpuff]

I wish they'd stop with the unpainted plastic. Ugh.

[radeonboy]

I wish they'd stop with the unpainted plastic. Ugh.

The facelifted Solterra now comes with body-matched fenders, but I'm so used to the unpainted plastic that this refresh feels weird now.

https://cdn.motor1.com/images/mgl/9mekMX/s3/2026-subaru-solterra-live-photos.webp

[AstulzerRZD]

Front seats? Center console feels a bit wider, big console space can fit a 12" iPad Pro but not my 16" Macbook.

Rear seats? No real recline because of the rear wheel wells, about the same space as normal BZ4x/Solterra.

Press materials? Says the rear floor is flat but it's actually not.

I cannot emphasize enough how much this thing looks like it hsa a drooping jaw, cleft lip, and puffed up cheeks from an allergic reaction all at once.

IMO this is pretty bad - an EV9/Ioniq 5 XRT/Mach E rally will be infinitely better cars.

[mikemhg]

I wish they'd stop with the unpainted plastic. Ugh.

But it makes it more..offroady.. :lol

[AstulzerRZD]

Trying to think about who might buy a Trailseeker....

1) Solterra buyers who thought the Solterra doesn't have enough room?
2) Outback wagon loyalists who will give anything up to keep a wagon bodystyle?
3) Families who want a more rugged electric to move their mountain bikes?
4) Bad credit buyers who couldn't afford an Outback but still want a Subaru?

My bet is 10k incentive at release in the US, enough to lease well but not enough to be competitive.
Lyriq, Equinox, Ioniq, EV6, Blazer will lease for half the price of the Solterra/Trailhunter.
When the Rivian R2 releases at the same price and with tax credit, incentive will become 17k.

[RabidRat]

^ I could've gone for a Trailseeker if it had turned out to be roomier, and even moreso if it had an optional 3rd row.

It'd be something like #3 for me. We want a family adventure beater that is inexpensive enough that we're not going to overly care about the kids stomping the shiet out of the insides, nor some light trail rash from driving through the trees.

We currently have a '17 Highlander Hybrid to fill this role but it is a desperately wretched experience. I can't take the disconnectedness nor the moaning of the CVT anymore, even if the assisted V6 does pull pretty good. And the scent of ICE fumes is getting real old. The EV mode button doesn't work half the time, so we're stuck reversing into our attached garage with crap spewing out the exhaust, and our 6 m/o and 2 y/o get to breathe it all in.

We're going all-EV and never looking back after this one. The ICE experience sucks in any vehicle remotely budget these days. The Trailseeker's not-great range and charging speed aren't a deal breaker because 99% of the time we're just charging overnight w/ the L2 in our garage anyway. For sure it would be nice to have better for road trips, but I think we could deal.

Am waiting on the Rivian R2 and Scout Traveler for sure.

[supafamous]

https://hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod/images/2026-subaru-outback-exterior-pr-101-67fd3bbed84b1.jpg

Can we talk about how ugly all the new Subaru's are? These things are embarrassing.

[AstulzerRZD]

I actually think the Outback's going to sell well with new styling - biggest complaint with Passport / Outback is it doesn't look sporty enough. We see product planning has adjusted this.

[RabidRat]

https://hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod/images/2026-subaru-outback-exterior-pr-101-67fd3bbed84b1.jpg

Can we talk about how ugly all the new Subaru's are? These things are embarrassing.

Wait, new Subaru?

Didn't you post a picture of a 2003 Forester?

https://scontent-sjc3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t45.5328-4/473215474_1378889636427575_2566234736401020599_n.j pg?stp=dst-jpg_s960x960_tt6&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=247b10&_nc_ohc=v7NqMxWkcHoQ7kNvwGGEX0m&_nc_oc=Adk69GsT0l_RclB18lG3OcAcooz7EkQ742SQqcp5nvs eyGnt6qwBLvEMadiK_GubHReg5Cv2VKMOElzPjbtS3WMJ&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent-sjc3-1.xx&_nc_gid=27GPXC_59AtGdgi6VtOLeg&oh=00_AfHnOcqfdLmgqr-y46IJKifpcgBiu16CMLRo2z0eVf-T1w&oe=680714C8

I guess that's one way to cut costs: reuse your factory tooling from 23 years ago.

[JDMDreams]

Aren't the engines from 20 years ago

[AstulzerRZD]

nah they have the new FA24DIT which is finally reliable, consistent, and has good power delivery

[underscore]

https://hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod/images/2026-subaru-outback-exterior-pr-101-67fd3bbed84b1.jpg

Can we talk about how ugly all the new Subaru's are? These things are embarrassing.

It's not pretty, but compared to most modern vehicles it's pretty decent looking.

[red kryptonite]

I think it goods pretty good.

[68style]

I think the styling is okay. A bit of a brick in the wind.

However, it's in that realm of pointlessness to me where it looks like a SUV but has none of the ground clearance or suspension articulation.

[AstulzerRZD]

Doesn't it have like 8inches+ of ground clearance?

Suspension articulation's a diff story

[68style]

Maybe because it's sitting on grass visually it looks low but I think you're right.