Subaru's new Trailseeker wagon brings vehicle-to-load (V2L) power to New Zealand — but the outlet delivers 1,500W, the lowest V2L output in our recent coverage, and it is fitted only to the top Touring trim. A standalone 1500W pure sine wave inverter gives the same 1.5kW from any 12V battery, without changing cars.
What the Trailseeker Actually OffersThe Trailseeker is Subaru's second EV in New Zealand after the Solterra. Its 74.7kWh battery feeds dual motors with 280kW combined; 0–100km/h takes about 4.5 seconds (manufacturer claim), DC charging peaks at 150kW, and 10%–80% takes about 30 minutes.
Two trims are offered, both all-wheel drive. The Trailseeker AWD costs $68,990 (New Zealand dollars) on 18-inch wheels, with up to 533km WLTP range (manufacturer claim). The Trailseeker AWD Touring costs $72,490 on 20-inch wheels, with up to 488km WLTP range (manufacturer claim) — the larger wheels cost 45km of range. The price gap between the trims is $3,500.
The V2L outlet is a 220V/1,500W socket, listed among the wagon's camping and beach-trip features. The first-drive report (DriveLife, 6 November 2026) notes the first allocation has sold out, with demonstrator cars due in late November. All prices and specifications here are for New Zealand.
What 1.5kW Can — and Cannot — RunAt 1.5kW, the Trailseeker's outlet sits well below the MG MGU9 ute (6.6kW), the GWM Cannon Hi4-T (6kW) and the Hyundai Staria Load Electric van (4kW) covered recently — and V2L is only useful if it matches the loads you plug in.
What 1.5kW handles comfortably: lighting, phone and laptop charging, a small fan, a portable speaker, and small camping appliances. These are the loads a campsite or a beach day actually needs, and 1,500W covers several of them at once.
What it cannot run: air conditioning, a full-size electric kettle, a large microwave, or a big power tool. Any single appliance rated above 1,500W will trip the outlet's protection. A small travel kettle rated under 1,500W is fine on its own; a standard household kettle is not.
One number this article will not give you is a runtime. The source published no discharge cut-off for the Trailseeker's V2L, so there is no honest way to say how many hours 1.5kW will run. Dividing the 74.7kWh battery by 1.5kW would suggest about 50 hours, but that ignores the cut-off and conversion losses, so it is not calculated here.
The bigger catch is access: V2L is Touring-only. The base AWD, at $68,990, has no V2L outlet at all, so buyers who want it must step up to the $72,490 Touring.
It is important to be precise here: $3,500 is the price gap between the two trims, not the price of V2L. The Touring also adds a panoramic sunroof, Nappa leather seats, ventilated front seats, seat and mirror memory, parking assist, a Harman Kardon audio system, and 20-inch wheels. V2L is one item in that package. Buyers who want the sunroof and the leather will find the step up easy to justify; buyers who only want the power outlet are paying for a whole trim to get it.
Cargo space is 609 litres, 1,294 litres with the rear seats folded, and the roof rack is rated to 300kg. An optional tow bar (1,500kg braked / 750kg unbraked) costs $1,399 plus installation from January 2027; a spare-tyre kit, not standard, costs $1,299 plus installation.
The Standalone Alternative: A 1500W InverterThe alternative is a standalone pure sine wave inverter rated at 1500W, which delivers exactly the same 1.5kW — from the car you already own, petrol, hybrid, older EV, truck or RV. No new-car purchase, no trim decision, no New Zealand-only restriction.
Sunrise New Energy (Powsmart) makes the REP1500 pure sine wave inverter, rated at 1500W continuous with 3000W surge, in 12V, 24V and 48V versions. Its pure sine wave output (THD below 3%) matches household mains, safe for laptops, TVs and sensitive electronics. If your loads run higher, the REP2000 is rated at 2000W continuous with 4000W peak, with 10/20/40V low-voltage protection (±0.5V). The full REP range runs from 300W to 5000W.
| Trailseeker V2L (Touring) | Standalone REP1500 inverter | |
|---|---|---|
| Output | 220V / 1,500W, Touring only | 1500W rated, 3000W surge |
| Needs | A $72,490 Touring in New Zealand | Any car with a 12V battery |
| Works in | One car, one market | Petrol, hybrid, EV, RV, truck |
| Power source | 74.7kWh traction battery | Your existing 12V, 24V or 48V battery |
| Portability | Built into the car | Moves between vehicles |
Sizing a standalone inverter for 1.5kW of camping power takes four steps. First, list your loads in watts from each appliance's rating plate and add them up — the total decides the inverter size. Second, leave room for motor start-up: motors draw two to three times their rated power for a second or two, so pick an inverter whose surge rating covers the spike; the REP1500's 3000W surge exists for exactly this reason. Third, match the battery voltage — 12V, 24V or 48V; at 1500W a 12V battery must deliver roughly 139A, while 48V delivers the same power at about a quarter of that current. Fourth, wire and fuse to the manual, because undersized cable heats up and the wrong fuse will not protect the circuit.
Frequently Asked QuestionsNo. Only the top Touring trim has the 220V/1,500W outlet. The base AWD trim has no V2L, so buyers who want it must buy the Touring.
Small loads — lighting, phone and laptop charging, a small fan, small camping appliances. Not air conditioning, a full-size kettle, or anything rated above 1,500W.
No. $3,500 is the price gap between the $68,990 AWD and the $72,490 Touring. The Touring package also includes a panoramic sunroof, Nappa leather seats, ventilated front seats, parking assist, a Harman Kardon audio system, and 20-inch wheels.
It has not been published. The source gave no discharge cut-off, so no reliable runtime can be calculated — and this article does not estimate one from the battery capacity.
Yes. A 1500W pure sine wave inverter on a 12V battery gives the same 1.5kW from any car, and it moves between vehicles. The REP1500 is rated 1500W continuous with 3000W surge.
The Trailseeker is a strong family wagon, and its V2L outlet is genuinely useful for camping — but only at 1.5kW, and only if you buy the Touring. For the many drivers who do not need a new car, a standalone 1500W pure sine wave inverter delivers the same power from the vehicle they already drive. If you camp, work outdoors, or want backup power without a trim-level decision, contact Sunrise New Energy (Powsmart) through cninverter.com and tell us your load list — we will help you size the right inverter. See also: Hyundai Staria Load Electric V2L: 4kW Power, $21,000 Premium and MG MGU9 Ute V2L: Check Work Power Before You Rely On It.
We use cookies to enhance your browsing experience, serve personalized ads or content, and analyze our traffic. By clicking "Accept All", you consent to our use of cookies.
