Subaru New Zealand has added a second, lower-priced variant to its first electric vehicle before the first cars have arrived. The Trailseeker AWD, at $68,990 RRP, will launch alongside the Trailseeker AWD Touring at $72,490 RRP, with stock due from October. Both prices include GST and exclude on-road costs. The first allocation sold out before local pricing was confirmed, and Inchcape New Zealand, Subaru’s distributor, says allocation remains limited.
Powertrain and range
Both variants share a 74.7kWh CATL lithium-ion battery and dual motors producing 280kW combined, for a 0–100km/h time of about 4.5 seconds — the quickest production Subaru sold in New Zealand. WLTP range is up to 533km for the AWD on 18-inch wheels and up to 488km for the Touring on 20s. DC fast charging at up to 150kW takes the battery from 10 to 80% in about 30 minutes; a 2kW AC charging cable with a 10A wall plug is supplied.
The car sits on the e-Subaru Global Platform with Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive, Driving Trajectory Prediction Control that pre-positions torque before the car deviates from the driver’s intended line, Dual-Mode X-Mode with Grip Control for low-traction surfaces, a Multi-Terrain Monitor, and 211mm of ground clearance at kerb weight.
Specification
The AWD comes with 18-inch alloys, black synthetic leather trim, a 14-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a 7-inch LCD instrument display, six-speaker audio, a digital rear-view mirror, eight-way power-adjustable front seats, heated front and rear outboard seats, a heated steering wheel, dual-zone climate control with rear vents, dual Qi wireless chargers, multi-colour ambient lighting, and self-levelling LED headlights.
The Touring adds 20-inch alloys, leather-accented trim in blue and black, ventilated front seats, driver seat and mirror memory, auto-dipping mirrors, a panoramic glass roof with electric sunshade, Advanced Park Assist with four cameras and 12 ultrasonic sensors, a 10-speaker Harman Kardon system with subwoofer, and a 220V/1,500W vehicle-to-load outlet.
Space and safety
The flat-floor platform gives a level cargo area of 609 litres in the AWD and 595 litres in the Touring, behind a hands-free power tailgate with kick sensor. Integrated roof rails are standard. Subaru Safety Sense is standard on both, with Pre-Collision System, Dynamic Radar Cruise Control, Emergency Driving Stop System, Emergency Steering Assist, Lane Departure Alert, Lane Tracing Assist, Low-Speed Acceleration Suppression, and Road Sign Assist. A camera-based Driver Monitor System provides distraction and drowsiness warnings, and the Vision Assist suite adds Adaptive High-Beam, Blind Spot Monitor, Panoramic 360-degree View Monitor, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, and Safe Exit Assist.
“It is a real coup for us to be receiving the Trailseeker AWD, with up to 533km of WLTP range and a strong price point, especially compared with competitor EVs,” says Inchcape New Zealand General Manager Paul Mallard. “Allocation is limited, so customers interested in the Subaru Trailseeker are encouraged to contact their local Subaru Authorised Centre to learn more about future availability and register their interest.”
