2026 SUBARU TRAILSEEKER

 

TRAILSEEKER OFFERS MORE ROOM, 

POWER TO SUBARU’S ELECTRIC SUV LINEUP

After launching its second electric SUV in the U.S. early last May, the Uncharted, Subaru quickly followed with yet a third BEV SUVwith the 2026 Subaru Trailseeker arriving in showrooms later that same month.

(A fourth will join the fleet in 2027 with the arrival of the three-row Getaway.)

As the name might suggest, the Trailseeker is more tailored to off-pavement ventures than either the Uncharted or the Solterra BEV with more horsepower (375 hp) and  slightly more ground clearance (8.5 inches) than the other two.

That doesn’t make it a vehicle to take rock crawling or on challenging environments like the Rubicon Trail, but it can handle muddy and snowy conditions and get deeper into the woods for those truly isolated camp sites.

With extra length, it also has more storage space than the subcompact Uncharted  or with 31.3 cubic feet of room with all seats in place.

(For my review of the 2026 Subaru Uncharted, see the June listings in the directory to the right.)

The 2026 Subaru Trailseeker is offered in three trim levels. This review is based on the Limited trim that sits between the Premium and Touring models. All three feature Subaru’s symmetrical all-wheel drive system and scoot from zero-to-60 mph in 4.4 seconds, making it the quickest Subaru yet, according to the company.

Driving range for the 2026 Subaru Trailseeker is estimated at 280 miles, which is not among leaders among today’s BEVs, but the good news is that the 74.7-kWh battery can be charged to 80 percent in about 28 minutes at fast-chargers. The North American Charging Standard port  accommodates Tesla hookups (if you have the Tesla app).

Though the 2026 Subaru Trailseeker is larger than the Uncharted, from the driver’s seat it’s easy to see the two are almost twins. 

The 14-inch touchscreen for operating infotainment is the same, and the steering wheel is rectangular shaped with a flat bottom and flat top. It also is equipped with two charging ports at the enter console that also has a dial for selecting gears. A smaller instrument panel in the driver’s line of sight displays information

Standard features on the Premium trim include Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Subaru’s Eyesight Driver’s Assist technology, .Active Lane Change Assist, Traffic Jam Assist, Lane Departure Alert, adaptable  cruise control, blind spot warning, automatic windshield wipers, a rear window wiper, and headlight washers.

The Limited trim adds Harman Kardon premium audio, panoramic view monitor, 20-inch aluminum alloy wheels, heated rear seats, a heated leather-wrapped steering wheel, power rear liftgate with hands-free kick sensor, digital key, and a 120-volt AC power outlet in the rear cargo area.

Touring models add a gloss black hood accent, panoramic glass roof with motorized shade, ventilated front seats and radiant leg warmers, optional two-tone paint (Crystal White Pearl only), and optional blue and black leather-appointed upholstery for $300 over staringMSRP.

Starting MSRP for the 2026 Subaru Trailseeker Premium trim is $41,445 including destination and delivery.  The Limited trim starts at $45,445 and the top-of-the-line Touring model starts at $48,005.

Premium Blue Pearl Paint adds $395, Leather upholstery $300, and leather upholstery plus two-tone Chrystal White Pearl Paint/leather upholstery $795.

What I liked about the 2026 Subaru Trailseeker Limited: Like the Uncharted, it’s fun to drive with quick acceleration and good maneuverability. Infotainment features are operated through an easy-to-understand touchscreen. The 360-degree surround-view monitor is a nice safety feature. The Trailseeker can be charged at Tesla stations as well as other outlets like EvGo and Electrify America.

 

What I didn’t like about the 2026 Subaru Trailseeker Limited: The 14-inch high-res touchscreen is nice and clear but it could use a design update with at least larger lettering to identity artists and songs on the radio. There is no handy frunk for extra storage as the space up front is filled by the A/C system, electric motor, and a jumble of wires. Driving range is only so-so.

 

Would I buy the 2026 Subaru Trailseeker Limited? The Subaru Trailseeker offers a bit more in the way of premium touches and backseat legroom and storage capacity than the Uncharted, but it comes at a price. The least expensive Trailseeker costs nearly the same as the top of the line Uncharted trims but offers more in the way of performance and storage/towing capacity, making it the better choice for family adventures and road trips.

2026 CADILLAC VISTIQ

VISTIQ  PROVING TO BE A WINNER AMONG CADILLAC’S ALL-ELECTRIC SUV OFFERINGS

Since its debut a little over a year ago, the Vistiq has been a solid contributor to Cadillac’s electric vehicle sales.

Its late start relegated it to fourth place in the Cadillac family behind the Lyriq, Optiq, and Escalade IQ for 2025, but the Cadillac Vistiq has moved into third place ahead of the Escalade IQ for the first six months of 2026.

With reported sales of 3,903 vehicles this year through June, the Vistiq is on near on pace to match its 2025 total of 7,879 for this year though a recent recall to correct a safety issue affecting third row seats no doubt will slow things as the company addresses the issue.

The Lyriq still leads the pack but the Optiq is catching up. Cadillac reported sales of 7,578 vehicles for the Lyriq, which launched as a 2023 model. It led Cadillac’s EV sales in 2025 with 20,971 so sales so far this year are a bit off place. The Optiq, which reached 12,187 in sales last year, hit 7,083 for the first six months this year.

The Cadillac Escalade IQ, which is the only one in the group with a starting price tag, in six figures, sold less than half of its 2025 total of 8,115 with reported sales of 3,203 for this year.

Overall the quartet of Cadillac models have accounted for about a third of all luxury electric SUV sales with just under 22,000 sold in the first half of this year.

Of the four trim levels offered, I recently spent another week in the 2026 Cadillac Vistiq Premium Luxury trim that sits just below the Platinum edition. Both of those models have price tags starting in the $90,000 bracket with the Premium Luxury starting at $93,190 including destination and deliver charges. The Platinum just stays under the $100,000 mark at $98,595.

The Luxury and Sport trims are very similarly priced at $79,494 and $79,995, respectively. Pricing for the 2027 Cadillac Vistiq, which essentially is unchanged from 2026, goes up only marginally.

The 2026 Cadillac Vistiq comes with dual electric motors rated at 615 horsepower and 650 pound-feet of torque that move it from zero-to-60 mph in under 4 seconds. It coddles six or seven passengers in three rows with such features as 5-zone climate control with front row riders getting heated and ventilated seats with a massage function.

Second-row riders get heated seats and 40.16 inches of legroom. That’s almost as much as those in front (43.14) and nearly 10 more than the third row offers (30.63).

For a full review of the 2026 Cadillac, check my blog’s archives by going to October 2025 in the directory. Here’s a summary of that review: 

What I liked about the 2026 Cadillac Vistiq Premium Luxury: The luxurious interior is Cadillac at its best, roomy, quiet, and premium materials. Driving range is over 300 miles and charging times are workable (45 minutes to get from 10 to 80 percent with a fast-charging outlet). The Vistiq’s size is much more manageable than that of the humongous Escalade IQ EV and much easier on the wallet as well. The third row has enough room to accommodate average size adults at least for short trips. There also is a very usable 15.2 cubic feet of storage space behind that third row expandable to 43 cubic feet with the far back row folded.

What I didn’t like about the 2026 Cadillac Vistiq Premium Luxury: I rarely use Android Auto (or Apple CarPlay) but the lack of them is an unforgivable omission in today’s tech-focused generation of buyers. Infotainment features are easy enough to operate but you do have find the right button on the touchscreen. Reception on the AM radio band is erratic. There also is no “frunk” for extra storage up front.

Would I buy the 2026 Cadillac Vistiq Premium Luxury? Considering the price jump, a look at the Luxury or Sport trims might be the better way to go when buy a Vistiq. 

2026 RANGE ROVER

RANGE ROVER STANDS OUT 

AS A LUXURIOUS OFF-ROADER

For well over half a century the Range Rover has offered buyers a unique combination of luxurious comfort and off-road capability in serving as Land Rover’s flagship SUV.

Only a handful of competitors can match the Range Rover’s plush interior when it comes to vehicles capable of serious off-pavement excursions. The Range Rover is in a very, very small class.  (Thank goodness the company has dropped the awkward “Land Rover” and made “Range Rover” a stand-alone nameplate.)

Only the Mercedes-Benz G-Series really can match it when it comes to more challenging off-pavement excursions like rock-crawling and fording small streams, but the Range Rover gets higher grades with its on-road manners. The Range Rover’s styling is more mainstream as well.

Despite its age, the Range Rover, which debuted as a 1970 model, moved into just its fourth generation in 2022. The first generation was extended to 1994 as early Range Rover were more basic, utilitarian vehicles than present day plush vehicles.

Land Rover included a plugin Range Rover for 2019 and a fully electric version will debut later this year as a 2027  model. My review of the plugin can be found by clicking on January 2026 in the directory on the right.

This review is based on the seven-seat 2026 Range Rover SE  LWB with a 3.0-liter turbocharged 6-cylinder gas engine rated at 395 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque. It actually serves as the entry-level model and is followed by the turbo V8Autobiography, and SV trims. The Range Rover also is available in short wheelbase form.

The gas engine in my test 2026 Range Rover SE was supplemented by an electric supercharger that operates at low speeds in a mild-hybrid setup that results in a zero-to-60 mph clocking of under 6 second and fuel economy numbers of 19 miles-per-gallon city, 24 highway, and 21 combined using premium grade fuel.

The interior of the 2026 Range Rover is most assuredly high class and packed with many tech features as you would expect for a vehicle in this segment.

Standard comfort and convenience features include rain-sensing windshield wipers, a rear wiper, rear privacy glass, 4-zone climate control, power heated and ventilated front seats, power recline heated and ventilated second-row seats, heated third-row seats, a Meridian premium sound system, wireless charging device, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto with Amazon Alex integration.

LED headlights, soft-closing doors, power liftgate, a sliding panoramic roof with power sunshield, and rear power side sunblinds also are standard.

Safety features include emergency collision notification, emergency brake assist, a 3/D surround view monitor, blind-spot assist, adaptive cruise control, hgh-speed emergency braking, and rear traffic monitor.

Starting MSRP on my test 2026 Range Rober SE was $113,200. Extras that include a towing pack, comfort pack, premium interior protection, and a cold climate pack ran the final bottom line to $128,695 including the $2,150 destination and delivery fee.5

Higher Autobiography and SV trims run from $161,350 to $241,040  for the special SV Black model.

What I liked about the 2025 Range Rover SE LWB: The premium interior is roomy and packed with lots of tech features. The ride is quiet and smooth. Off-roading ability is unsurpassed.

What I didn’t like about the 2025 Range Rover SE LWB: The Range Rover’s overall bulk requires careful maneuvering in mall parking lots. Third row room is surprisingly cramped. The learning curve for all those infotainment features is pretty steep and response from the touchscreen is sometimes erratic. Often you have to take your eyes off the road to get to the proper menu.

Would I buy the 2025 Range Rover SE LWB? As with the plugin Range Rover I reviewed at the start of the year, the infotainment system is a real turnoff for me and I likely would look elsewhere if I were shopping in the large luxury SUV segment. But if you are comfortable with that system, the Range Rover should be on your shopping list.