Subaru takes aim at the 2026 Kia EV9 and Hyundai Ioniq 9 with new large electric SUV but there's a catch

Subaru has confirmed a three-row, large electric SUV will launch later this year, with underpinnings borrowed from a model from common collaborator Toyota.

The 2026 Subaru Getaway, a seven-seat electric car sharing its platform with the Toyota Highlander EV, was initially revealed on April 1 in the US.

But it’s no April Fools’ joke, even though Subaru Australia General Manager Scott Lawrence had indicated to CarsGuide just weeks prior that the brand wasn’t looking to Toyota to make a Subaru seven-seat SUV happen.

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“I can't quite comment on that,” Lawrence said when asked about rumours that Subaru would use a rebadged version of the Highlander EV, the North American-built sibling to the Kluger.

“I think there are some really exciting options in that space of seven-seat [SUVs]… That's not one of the priorities to get the seven-seat (across the line).”

CarsGuide has contacted Subaru Australia for comment, but the international reveal of the Highlander confirmed the brand is indeed sharing a platform with Toyota.

The interior of the Getaway, for a start, is a direct pull from the Toyota Highlander electric SUV. Its specs also mirror the Highlander in many ways, including the two battery options being a 77kWh or 96kWh unit. The long-range 96kWh version (technically 95.8kWh) will be the only one available from launch.

2026 Subaru Getaway

Subaru claims the long-range version of the Getaway will be capable of an electric driving range of more than 480km, with a 150kW maximum DC charge rate for 10-80 per cent charging in about half an hour.

The Japanese brand also confirms the Toyota-clone interior will have the same 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and 14.0-inch multimedia touchscreen, plus as much as 1290 litres of luggage space with the third row folded. That last point is something Subaru of America is happy to claim is “more than the Kia EV9”, and on paper it’s correct.

While Subaru claims the Getaway will have 313kW and a 0-60mph (0-97km/h) tim of under 5.0 seconds, the entry level’s specs are yet to be determined.

2026 Subaru Getaway

It’s not known if the Getaway will ever land in Australia, given Toyota has nixed the idea of the Highlander EV, and the models are built in left-hand drive for North America.

"The latest Subaru global unveilings are exciting, and while they’ve generated plenty of interest, we’re unable to comment on future product," said a Subaru Australia spokesperson.