Subaru has recently registered a bunch of new trims or model names that look like the Wilderness

If a crossover or SUV could be better off-road, an outdoor-themed name is the best way to sell them in the US. Names like Badlands, Trailhawk, Trail Boss, and Trailfinder all sound tough and brave. People know we belong outside even though most of us work in buildings because our crossovers have tough names, and our water bottles are Stanley. Subaru just filed 12 new names with outdoor themes, which is great news for all of you thrill seekers out there. These names could mean that new, tough trims or even whole new cars are coming out.

AutoGuide approved the 12 trademark applications and then sent them to the US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). The brand names Trailseeker, Uncharted, Everpass, Outsider, Tailwind, Viewfinder, Getaway, Highroad, Everguide, Hightrail, Trailhead, and Accomplice sound like they are for completely new models. In contrast, others look like they are just trim levels. The last one, on the other hand, would be better for committing crimes than off-roading.

But none of these names are ever allowed on the back of a Subaru. Automakers regularly register groups of names for new models and technological advances in order to plan for the future.

But these names could be the ones Subaru comes up with for new trim levels in the future. Subaru’s fast cars, like the Outback, Crosstrek, and Forester, have come in Wilderness versions for a number of years. The Wilderness trims give those cars some extra capability thanks to their higher ride heights and all-terrain tires, but they only partially turn them into tough off-road vehicles. Subaru may want to use these new names for even more powerful trim levels.

It’s also possible that Subaru is working on completely new cars. The way the auto business is going now, any off-roader or active lifestyle vehicle of the future will probably be electric. Many of Subaru’s rivals, like Hyundai, Chevy, Toyota, and Honda, are ahead of it when it comes to hybrid and electric technologies. A new, strong EV or hybrid could help Subaru catch up.

Is this just another way for automakers to protect their brands for the future, or will these protected names actually show up on future Subaru models? We will know once we see one of its cars with one on.