Compare the2026 Lexus RZVS 2026 Subaru Trailseeker

Both the RZ and the Trailseeker have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, post-collision automatic braking systems, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors and available around view monitors.

The RZ comes with a full 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire truck and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The Trailseeker’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year or 14,000 miles sooner.

Lexus’ powertrain warranty covers the RZ 1 year and 10,000 miles longer than Subaru covers the Trailseeker. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 6 years or 70,000 miles. Coverage on the Trailseeker ends after only 5 years or 60,000 miles.

The RZ’s corrosion warranty is 1 year longer than the Trailseeker’s (6 vs. 5 years).

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Lexus vehicles are better in initial quality than Subaru vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Lexus first in initial quality, above the industry average. With 21 more problems per 100 vehicles, Subaru is ranked 11th.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the statistics that show that Lexus vehicles are more reliable than Subaru vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Lexus first in reliability, above the industry average. With 72 more problems per 100 vehicles, Subaru is ranked 21st.

The RZ 550e F Sport’s standard electric motors produces 27 more horsepower (402 vs. 375) than the Trailseeker’s electric motors.

For better traction and acceleration, the RZ has larger rear tires than the Trailseeker (255/55R18 vs. 235/60R18).

The RZ’s standard 255/55R18 rear tires provide better handling because they have a lower 55 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Trailseeker Premium’s standard 60 series tires. The RZ’s optional 255/45R20 rear tires have a lower 45 series profile than the Trailseeker Limited/Touring’s 50 series tires.

The front grille of the RZ uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The Trailseeker doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The RZ uses computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The Trailseeker doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

The RZ has .3 inches more front hip room, .7 inches more rear headroom, 2.2 inches more rear legroom and 5.6 inches more rear hip room than the Trailseeker.

The RZ has a much larger cargo volume than the Trailseeker with its rear seat up (34.1 vs. 31.3 cubic feet).

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Lexus service is better than Subaru. J.D. Power ranks Lexus second in service department satisfaction. With a 4% lower rating, Subaru is ranked third.

The RZ offers an optional heads-up display that projects speed and navigation instruction readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The Trailseeker doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

The RZ’s standard Smart Access allow you to unlock the doors from any outside door handle, open the cargo door, and start the vehicle, all without removing the key from the pocket or purse. Keyless Access and Start standard on the Trailseeker doesn’t offer a sensor on the rear doors, so you’ll have to reach a front handle to unlock the rear door.

To lock it, the door handles on the Trailseeker must be held while closing the door. On the RZ you just lock the door and close it, which makes it easier to lock up, especially when your hands are full.

The RZ’s power window, power lock, power mirror and cruise control switches are lit from behind, making them plainly visible and easier to operate at night. The Trailseeker’s power window (except driver window) and power lock switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

The RZ’s standard rear and side view mirrors have an automatic dimming feature. These mirrors can be set to automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on them, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The Trailseeker has an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

The RZ has a standard heated steering wheel to take the chill out of steering on extremely cold winter days before the vehicle heater warms up. A heated steering wheel is only available on the Trailseeker Limited/Touring.

The Lexus RZ has a standard Homelink wireless remote control system for garage door operation and device management, conveniently located on the rear view mirror. Homelink® eliminates the need for separate garage door openers and associated risks of losing, breaking, or having dead batteries. Subaru charges extra for Homelink® on the Trailseeker.

The RZ’s optional Advanced Park can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. Remote Advanced Park will park and retrieve your car remotely: press a button and watch it park itself. This is ideal for tight locations. The Trailseeker Limited/Touring’s automatic parking system does not offer parking by remote control.

The RZ is available in both front-wheel drive and four-wheel drive configurations. The Trailseeker doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Lexus RZ, based on reliability, safety and performance.