Winding roads revealed slightly more body roll than we saw in the Uncharted, despite both models feeling significantly lighter than the average electric crossover. Easy steering effort helps enhance a sense of nimbleness despite the added cargo volume in the back, though no true Subie fans will ever mistake a Trailseeker for an STI.

Instead, the comparisons to various Toyota models seemed almost unavoidable. The center touchscreen, minimalist gauge cluster sitting forward on the dash, dual smartphone charging pads, and gear selector knob all contrast with the rest of Subaru’s internal combustion and hybrid lineup. But of the EVs, the Trailseeker clearly embodies the Subaru ethos best—even if the name itself suffers from a bit of Baja Fresh syndrome. If you have to tell me the food is fresh…

Simply put, a max range estimate of 281 miles leaves anyone trying to get off the beaten path at the mercy of charging infrastructure. Any serious adventure will require plenty of planning. The standard NACS port, which allows access to all those Tesla Superchargers, should help assuage some range anxiety, but the idea of truly leaving the world behind in this EV seems somewhat unlikely.

Instead of seeking out off-road trails, this EV seems best suited to parking at trailheads or paved campsites and then serving as a basecamp. You can pack up the trunk with gear, or better yet, load up the roof rails, a must-have for many Subaru owners. An optional plug in the trunk provides 1,500 W of vehicle-to-load output, and a “My Room” mode lets occupants stay in the car for extended periods with the power on while camping or charging.

At the very least, the Trailseeker can handle that level of escapism with a calm capability. Will the additional cargo capacity and power bump make up for the slightly higher price over an Uncharted? Subaru customers seem likely to accept that trade-off.