Subaru promises improved hybrid models

All-new Crosstrek set to debut more efficient petrol-electric drivetrain

By Sam Charlwood, carsales.com.au

Subaru Australia has responded to backlash for its first-generation hybrids by promising more effective petrol-electric drivetrains are due in a wider range of new models.

Hybrid versions of the Subaru XV and Subaru Forester were heavily criticised upon their arrival in Australia in 2020 as they delivered minimal fuel savings while imposing hefty price premiums over their petrol stablemates.

Now, the Japanese car maker has revealed there is a fix in the works, and it could arrive early this year with the Subaru Crosstrek – the all-new replacement for the Subaru XV small SUV.

“It will happen short-term… advancements in hybrid technology are in the pipeline and are coming,” confirmed Subaru Australia managing director Blair Read.

“I can’t share a timeline at this stage,” he added.

Adopting the Crosstrek badge from North America, it appears the new model is the prime candidate to debut Subaru’s updated hybrid technology given it’s a next-generation model that will replace the long-running XV.

Asked directly whether the Crosstrek would be first to introduce Subaru’s new hybrid technology, Read said: “I can’t comment on that”.

Further afield, Subaru Australia indicated the next-generation Forester will also likely feature updated hybrid technology when it arrives in Australia later this year.

“We would absolutely love an advancement in Forester with hybrid,” Read said. “There’s a really strong place for that.”

“With Forester coming out [in 2023] and with new Impreza having just been announced, we’ve gone full circle. Forester is the next logical model that’s due for a next generation.”

Subaru also remains open to plug-in hybrid technology in Australia, having witnessed a lift in engagement for the technology amid increasing electrification.

“Australia hasn’t really adopted plug-in hybrid technology and in a lot of markets it has been that case,” Read admitted.

“But as EVs become more prominent to a lot of people, plug-in hybrid technology seems to be coming back as a focus.

“Subaru does have a limited plug-in hybrid range that they’ve trialled on a couple of products, so we keep looking at the variety of options as for what’s right. But no immediate plans for plug-in technology.”

Instead, Subaru will leapfrog to a fully-electric model with the Solterra SUV due to arrive before the middle of the year.


^{Disclaimer: Images supplied by Subaru USA.}

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