Subaru Trailseeker vs Mazda CX-90

What's the difference?

The Subaru Solterra and Toyota bZ4X were arguably my most-improved cars in recent history and it therefore makes a lot of sense that the Trailseeker is also a lovely car to drive.

I’m particularly taken with the entry-level car which is supremely comfortable and offers a lot of value-for-money in terms of standard equipment and outright space.

A sticking point I come back to though is there isn’t much difference between this and the Solterra. Sure the Trailseeker has a touch more power and a bigger boot, but it has less range and is more expensive. However, I love this all-terrain wagon look and I’d pay that bit extra for it.

Note: CarsGuide attended this event as a guest of the manufacturer, with travel, accommodation and meals provided.

There are many reasons I quite like this CX-90. It sells the plush luxury promise when it comes to its interior and design, it feels big and purposeful, and has a refreshingly minimalist approach to its cabin tech. As a seven-seat SUV it’s particularly impressive, with plenty of amenity and a third row that can genuinely fit an adult in comfort.

However, there are areas where it could use more polish, from the drivetrain to the ride, and it ultimately strikes an odd point for price and ownership which feels lost between the premium segment and the mainstream rivals.

If you’re a long-term Mazda owner, I still think you’ll love it, and this Touring grade is definitely the best value in the range. It offers the lion’s share of equipment at a price more comparable to Mazda’s traditional mainstream rivals.