Subaru Uncharted and Trailseeker EVs looking good for Australia: “Watch this space for some exciting announcements” promises local Subaru boss

July 23, 2025July 22, 2025 Bruce Newton 10764 Views solterra, Strong Hybrid, Subaru, Trailseeker, Uncharted

Subaru is expected to soon confirm the Trailseeker and Uncharted electric SUVs will join its Australian line-up.

And they could arrive locally as soon as 2026 alongside a facelift of the brand’s debut electric model, the Solterra, tripling Subaru’s local EV line-up.

The Trailseeker – which is to be dubbed the E-Outback in Europe – was revealed in April at the New York motor show.

It is a non-identical twin of the Toyota bZ4X Touring.

The Uncharted was revealed last week in the USA and confirmed for Europe at the same time, including the UK right-hand drive market.

It shares its mechanical parts and much of its bodywork with the Toyota C-HR+ EV.

The joint development between the two Japanese auto companies is the result of a long-term cross-ownership deal.

The Solterra is a close relation of the bZ4X and has been on-sale in Australia since 2024.

Sales have been disappointingly slow, but as per Subaru’s policy (for all models bar the rear-wheel drive BRZ sports car) it is not offered as a cheaper two-wheel drive and only comes in all-wheel drive.

The Solterra update also revealed last April in New York, adds more range and power and includes a substantial facelift.

Asked about the prospects of the new Solterra going on sale here, Subaru Australia general manager Scott Lawrence told EV Central:

“Solterra has a long and exciting future in Australia.”

When pressed on the chances for the Trailseeker and the Uncharted coming to Australia, Lawrence refused to talk specifics, but added promisingly:

“Watch this space for some exciting announcements. That’s all I’ll say.”

The Uncharted will be offered as a front-wheel drive as well as dual motor all-wheel drive overseas, but Lawrence wouldn’t say if Subaru Australia would disregard its AWD policy to get a cheaper model on-sale here.

“I’m not going to comment on a future product at that level of detail,” he said.

Neither Trailseeker or Uncharted have yet had their pricing overseas announced. Speculation has the Uncharted starting at the equivalent of $52,000 (approx) and the Trailseeker at $62,000 (approx) in the USA.

Both cars will be built in Japan, potentially smoothing their path and pricing for Australia.

Lawrence also confirmed Subaru would continue to expand its line-up of models with the ‘Strong Hybrid’ powertrain launched locally in the sixth-generation Forester.

“Our priority was getting Strong Hybrid into Forester and now that is in market we are working with Subaru Corporation on the future part of it,” said Lawrence.

“Rest assured there is a plan to expand Strong Hybrid in Australia.”

Models you can expect the petrol-electric system – which uses Toyota e-motors and battery tech and makes 145kW and averages 6.2L/100km in the Forester – to expand into the smaller CrossTrek and larger Outback SUV, the latter landing here in its seventh generation soon.

Lawrence made it clear that while Subaru was committed to EV in Australia, it was not only a response to Australia’s new NVES CO2 reduction scheme.

“EVs have got an important part [to play],” he said. “We were on an EV journey well before NVES came into play. Our view on powertrains is that ultimately the consumer will decide.

“Subaru Corporation globally has publicly announced eight EVs by 2028, and which markets and when is yet to be announced. But there is a definite appetite for growing our EV model lineup.

“I think what’s important to mention, though, that doesn’t necessarily come at the expense of hybrid or ICE.

“Ultimately, consumers will decide, and we need to have an option for consumers in the Australian market across ICE, hybrid and BEV.”

“But look, ultimately, we’ll keep monitoring consumer demand and we’ll work with Subaru Corporation as to what we see will work best for Australian consumers.”