Skoda Enyaq vs Subaru Trailseeker

The Skoda Enyaq is the cheaper car. Its Select 60 opens at $55,990 drive-away, well under the Subaru Trailseeker's drive-away price, and even the sweet-spot 85 Sportline at $64,990 stays under the Subaru while claiming more range. Both are quoted drive-away, so the comparison is clean. The Subaru's price buys hardware the Skoda reserves for its dearest grade: standard all-wheel drive and more clearance. Running costs also favour the Skoda, with cheaper servicing on longer intervals. If price leads your decision, the Enyaq wins; the Subaru charges for capability, not kit.

Both hold a five-star ANCAP rating. The Skoda Enyaq was rated in 2021, with a strong 94 per cent adult-occupant score, 89 per cent for child occupants, and seven airbags. The Subaru Trailseeker was rated in 2025 under stricter criteria and scores 89 per cent for adult occupants, 86 per cent for child occupants, 80 per cent for vulnerable road users and 82 per cent for safety assist, ahead of the Enyaq's 71 and 73 on those two tests. Both cars run the full active-safety suite, including autonomous emergency braking (AEB), lane keep assist, adaptive cruise control and blind-spot monitoring. Because the protocols differ, the sub-scores are not directly comparable; call it a tie.

The base Subaru Trailseeker AWD claims 533km WLTP, ahead of the entry Skoda Enyaq Select 60, but the result flips higher up the range. Step up to the Enyaq 85 Sportline and its 82kWh battery claims 551km WLTP, edging the Subaru, and it charges a touch faster at 165kW DC against the Trailseeker's 150kW. So the entry Subaru out-ranges the entry Skoda, while the mid-grade Enyaq out-ranges the Subaru. For the longest range near this money, the Enyaq Sportline is the pick; for all-wheel-drive range, the Trailseeker.

The Subaru Trailseeker is built for it. It runs permanent symmetrical all-wheel drive on both grades, clears 211mm against the Enyaq's 183mm, and adds dual X-Mode with hill-descent control for mud, snow and loose climbs. The Skoda Enyaq is rear-wheel drive on every grade below the flagship RS and tuned for sealed roads, so it gives up traction and ground clearance here. Neither is a hardcore off-roader, and the Subaru's puncture kit rather than a spare is a limitation on remote gravel. For dirt roads, ski trips and wet-weather grip, the Trailseeker is the clear pick.

The Skoda Enyaq leans on real form here: reviewers gave the pre-facelift version a 2025 Australian family-car-of-the-year award. The wagon body is roomy and practical, three-zone climate with rear vents is standard, the cabin is quiet and cleanly laid out, and it holds a five-star ANCAP, as does the Subaru. The Subaru Trailseeker answers with a slightly larger 609-litre boot, standard all-wheel drive for wet-weather confidence and its own settled ride. Both are easy family cars. For everyday polish the Enyaq edges it; for all-weather capability the Subaru does.

The Skoda Enyaq is cheaper to maintain. It services every 24 months or 30,000km, and pre-paid plans average around $200 a year, cheaper and less frequent than the Subaru Trailseeker's 15,000km or 12-month intervals and roughly $984 over five years. Both come with strong warranties: Skoda's seven-year, unlimited-kilometre cover edges Subaru's five-year term, and both back their batteries for eight years. Subaru's advantage is a long-established dealer and service network. On scheduled-servicing cost and cadence the Enyaq wins; on network reach the two are closely matched.

On sealed roads the reviews favour the Skoda. AU launch coverage rates the Enyaq 85 Sportline's steering and body control highly, calling it a genuinely European-feeling drive, though the firmer setups can fidget without the optional adaptive dampers. The Subaru Trailseeker is tuned locally and rated a settled, composed car too, but its brief is broader: 211mm of clearance and all-wheel drive trade a little on-road sharpness for capability the Enyaq does not have. If you want the sweeter tarmac drive, the Skoda; if you want the car that also handles gravel and snow, the Subaru.

On value the Skoda Enyaq makes the stronger case. It undercuts the Subaru Trailseeker on price, costs less to service on longer intervals, and drives with a polish that won it a family-car award. The Sportline grade even out-ranges the Subaru. The Trailseeker's premium buys genuine hardware the Enyaq charges more for: standard all-wheel drive, 211mm of clearance and 280kW of pace. If the spreadsheet decides it, the Enyaq wins comfortably; the Subaru is worth the extra only if you use the all-wheel drive and the clearance.

For all-weather capability the Subaru Trailseeker is the pick. Symmetrical all-wheel drive is standard across the range, backed by dual X-Mode and 211mm of clearance, where the Skoda Enyaq drives only its rear wheels until the flagship RS and sits lower. That makes the Subaru the more reassuring car on wet roads, in snow and on gravel, and it tows light loads with the extra traction. The Enyaq counters with its lower price and on-road polish. Families who see real gravel or snow should lean Subaru; those who stay on sealed roads lose little with the Enyaq.