Subaru Has a New Three-Row Coming That’ll Be Built with Toyota Bones

Although Subaru was initially hesitant to embrace the electric revolution, the brand has since plugged in and expanded its BEV lineup in rapid order.

After all, following the launch of the Solterra and the bZ, Subaru and Toyota have worked together on a series of joint projects taking the form of the Trailseeker and the bZ Woodland as well as the Uncharted and the CH-R. As if that wasn’t enough, Lexus has even managed to get in on the action with a few rebadged luxury versions of its own.

Subaru

According to a new report, there’s a fourth Subaru EV on the way, and this one is set to be bigger than the rest. With three rows, itll maximize its family-friendly seating capabilities.

Following the Highlander’s footprint

Now, at this stage, Subaru has yet to announce such a vehicle or release any official details. However, according to Automotive News, Subaru of America chief operating officer Jeff Walters confirmed that the brand will be releasing a new three-row all-electric SUV later this year.

Toyota

As was the case with its predecessors, this upcoming battery-powered Subaru will share its underpinnings with a Toyota counterpart. Accordingly, it’ll likely borrow from the recently launched 2027 Highlander, and production is slated for the same facility in Kentucky.

Powertrain-wise, this means that chances are pretty good it will feature similar single- and dual-motor options. Moreover, output could be comparable to the Solterra, as Toyota’s new Highlander makes an equivalent 338 horsepower and 323 lb-ft of torque in AWD guise.

Toyota

Whether it’ll follow the Uncharted as one of the few FWD-available Subarus only time will tell. The Highlander is set to be offered in a front-wheel Limited trim, so that will also ultimately determine the pricing structure.

In any event, given the Highlander’s three-row seating (and even longer wheelbase as part of the redesign), this new EV could also be big. Whereas the Trailseeker is comparable to the Outback, the upcoming model should be more in line with the Ascent.

Subaru

Doubling down on electric SUVs

While that undoubtedly comes as good news if you happen to be in the market for a three-row, it’s not without some complications. Chiefly, does Subaru really need another EV?

It’s hard to say. On the one hand, the brand’s lineup would certainly benefit from the diversity (and the efficiency). Subaru doesn’t currently offer hybrid versions of the Ascent or even the Outback, and the Forester only just received a hybrid last year.

Subaru

However, even if a fourth BEV would give buyers a larger, more efficient option, that doesn’t mean that they would necessarily appreciate such an alternative.

After all, following the discontinuation of federal tax incentives, electric vehicles have experienced a noticeable decline in demand across the board. With Subaru in particular, the Solterra sold 45.6 percent fewer examples in January 2026 than it did at the start of last year.

Subaru

At 572 sales in total for the month, it even slipped behind the discontinued Legacy. Furthermore, seeing as niche models like the Ascent are already moving more than four times that amount, it doesn’t seem like a favorable segment within which Subaru can field another EV.

Still, according to AN, Walters stated that “there are a lot of people like that out there,” who fit the target market — two vehicles and access to a home charger. Until Subaru pulls the curtain back on a three-row EV, we’ll just have to keep an eye on how things unfold with the new Highlander.

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