The 2026 Subaru Trailseeker’s interior is available in three upholstery configurations: Black StarTex, Gray StarTex, and Blue & Black Leather. The first two are available across all three trim levels; the leather interior is exclusive to Touring. Every Trailseeker also includes color-adjustable interior ambient lighting and dual wireless smartphone charging pads. For Nassau County buyers who spend real time in their vehicle and want to understand what each interior option actually delivers, this guide covers the choices completely.
Bottom Line: Three interior options — Black StarTex, Gray StarTex, and Blue & Black Leather (Touring only). All Trailseeker interiors include color-adjustable ambient lighting and dual wireless charging pads. The StarTex materials are Subaru’s durable, tactile synthetic fabric used across the lineup.
- Black StarTex (J20): available on all trims
- Gray StarTex (W70): available on all trims, creates a lighter cabin feel
- Blue & Black Leather (M60): Touring-exclusive option
- Ambient lighting is color-adjustable on all trims
- Dual wireless charging pads standard on all trims
StarTex: Subaru’s Standard Upholstery
StarTex is the upholstery material Subaru developed for its core lineup — a textured, durable synthetic material that is neither fabric nor leather but occupies the practical middle ground between them. The StarTex surface has a noticeable texture that provides grip without the slipperiness of conventional vinyl. It is more resistant to staining and easier to clean than traditional fabric upholstery.
For Nassau County buyers who use their vehicle for outdoor activities, ferry trips to Fire Island, beach excursions, or dog transport, StarTex handles moisture, sand, and surface dirt with less concern than fabric. It is not impervious — it benefits from regular cleaning — but it is notably more practical than fabric for active use.
Black StarTex (J20)
Black StarTex is available across all three Trailseeker trims in combination with all six exterior colors. It is the most commonly specified interior in the lineup and creates a cohesive, all-dark cabin that reads as athletic and focused. In direct sunlight, a black interior absorbs heat more than a lighter-colored interior — relevant for summer parking in Hicksville and Bethpage.
Best for: Buyers who want a clean, practical, low-maintenance cabin that pairs with any exterior color.
Gray StarTex (W70)
Gray StarTex is available across all three Trailseeker trims in combination with most exterior colors. The gray upholstery creates a significantly lighter, more open cabin feel than Black StarTex — closer to the airy interior character of a premium European SUV without moving to leather. In the Trailseeker’s cabin, Gray StarTex pairs particularly well with lighter exterior colors (Crystal White Pearl, Magnetite Gray Metallic, Crystal Black Silica) but also creates an interesting contrast with the blue exterior options.
Best for: Buyers who want a lighter, more premium-feeling cabin without paying for the leather option, or who find all-black interiors oppressive.
Blue & Black Leather: The Touring Option
The Blue & Black Leather interior (M60) is available as an option exclusively on Touring trim. It replaces StarTex across all seating surfaces with leather upholstery and introduces the Blue & Black color combination — a contrasting scheme that uses the Trailseeker’s design language in a distinctly premium way.
Leather upholstery changes the tactile experience of the cabin — the feel of the seat surface, the visual richness of the material, and the way the interior reflects the Trailseeker’s positioning as Subaru’s flagship SUV. Leather warms up faster in winter with the seat heat on, cools faster in summer with the ventilated seats active (Touring exclusive), and develops a patina over time that some buyers value.
For Nassau County buyers who want the Trailseeker to present as a premium vehicle inside as well as out, the Blue & Black Leather option on Touring is the configuration that fully realizes that character.
Practical consideration: Leather requires care — UV protection for direct sun exposure, conditioning to prevent cracking in Long Island’s seasonal humidity swings — that StarTex does not. The Blue & Black Leather interior is a premium choice that comes with ownership practices that StarTex does not require.
Color-Adjustable Interior Ambient Lighting
Every 2026 Trailseeker includes interior ambient lighting with color adjustment capability. The ambient lighting system illuminates the cabin’s interior trim surfaces and footwells at night, with the driver able to select from a range of colors and brightness levels.
This is a feature that is standard across the entire Trailseeker lineup — not reserved for upper trims. The practical value is visual appeal during nighttime driving and a sense of cabin personalization that reflects the driver’s preference. Common settings include a calm blue for nighttime commuting and a warmer amber for longer drives.
Dual Wireless Smartphone Charging Pads
Two wireless charging positions in the center console are standard across all three Trailseeker trims. Both positions support simultaneous charging of Qi-compatible devices — meaning both driver and passenger can charge without a cable.
For Nassau County buyers who spend time on Route 107, the LIE, or the Meadowbrook with phones in constant navigation and music use, the dual wireless charging pads eliminate the cable management that a single wired port requires and the dead-phone anxiety that comes with one charging position for two people.
Interior Configuration Matrix
| Interior | Premium | Limited | Touring |
|---|---|---|---|
| Black StarTex | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Gray StarTex | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Blue & Black Leather | — | — | Optional |
| Ambient Lighting (color adj.) | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Dual Wireless Charging Pads | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
"The Gray StarTex gets underestimated. Buyers assume black is the 'safe' choice but the gray creates a genuinely nicer cabin atmosphere — it's lighter, it feels more premium, and it pairs well with both the darker and lighter exterior colors. The Blue & Black Leather on the Touring is for buyers who want the cabin to match the vehicle's flagship positioning — it's a beautiful interior. The ambient lighting is one of those things that seems minor until you're driving at night and realize you've been driving a vehicle that makes you feel good to be inside it."
General Manager, Grand Prix Subaru
Vehicle specs and safety data sourced from NHTSA, IIHS, and EPA.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is StarTex waterproof? StarTex is water-resistant rather than fully waterproof — it resists moisture absorption and wipes clean more easily than conventional fabric. It is not the same as a fully sealed vinyl surface, but it handles the conditions Long Island drivers encounter (beach sand, wet gear, pet transport) with less concern than fabric upholstery.
Can I get leather on the Limited? No. Blue & Black Leather is available only as an option on Touring trim.
What colors can the ambient lighting display? The Trailseeker’s ambient lighting system is color-adjustable through the vehicle settings. A range of colors is available; specific palette options can be confirmed during a test drive at Grand Prix Subaru.
Does Gray StarTex show dirt more than Black StarTex? Gray StarTex will show lighter-colored surface dirt and debris more visibly than Black StarTex, while Black StarTex shows darker debris (carbon, tire dust, dark mud) more visibly. Which is more practical depends on the primary use case — sandy beach gear loading tends to show on black; dark garden soil tends to show on gray.
Explore the Trailseeker Interior at Grand Prix Subaru
Browse current Trailseeker inventory at Grand Prix Subaru or contact the team to see the interior options in person at 500 S Broadway in Hicksville.