Yahoo Autos Subaru's New Hybrid Crosstrek Promises Better Mileage, More Range
Subaru's vehicles are beloved by their fans for plenty of reasons, but generally speaking, fuel economy isn't one of them. As a result, there's been plenty of interest in the automaker's vague plans to roll out hybrid models using a Toyota-based system in the near future. Well, as of last week, the folks in Shibuya City made the plans a little less vague: there is indeed a hybrid-powered Subaru Crosstrek on the way. As of now, however, it's only for the Japanese market.
As revealed in a global media press release, this hybrid system will function in familiar fashion, with a series-parallel system tying together a 1.1-kWh battery, a three-phase AC synchronous electric motor and a 2.5-liter flat-four gasoline engine. Subaru quotes the engine as producing 158 hp and 154 lb-ft of torque, while the 88-kW motor makes 117 hp and 199 lb-ft of torque; however, with hybrids, the actual maximum output is usually lower than simply adding those figures together, so it's unclear what the true end-of-the-line horsepower and torque figures will be. (We've reached out to Subaru for clarification.)
Subaru says this powertrain provides a 20% improvement in fuel consumption. (Since the Crosstrek Hybrid is a Japan-only model, EPA efficiency figures aren't available, but a rough calculation of a 20% improvement against the U.S. figures equates to approximately 37 mpg combined.) The brand also says the hybrid Crosstrek has the longest range of any Subaru ever built, at 621 miles — although that's also enabled by the larger fuel tank the vehicle carries versus regular Crosstreks.
Functionally, the Crosstrek mounts the electric motor directly behind the horizontal engine, with the battery pack sitting underneath the trunk and a power control unit mounted on top of the flat-four. The AWD system fitted to these electrified Subarus is a bit different than the traditional symmetrical AWD on a usual Crosstrek; Propeller shafts couple the front and rear wheels, aided by a front differential gear and an electronic controller. Still, a mechanical connection between all four wheels remains.
A report from Automotive News says the hybrid powertrain will appear on the Subaru Crosstrek in the Japanese market later this year; an electrified Forester will follow, and that vehicle has been confirmed for the U.S. market. However, representatives for Subaru USA told Road & Track that no other hybrid model has been confirmed for the North American market. Subaru previously offered a plug-in hybrid Crosstrek in the U.S. market, but that car was removed from the lineup after the 2023 model year.
Production of these hybrid models will happen at Subaru's Main Plant and Yajima Plant, both of which are just north of Tokyo, with U.S. production in Indiana to follow eventually as well. U.S. production will start in 2026, Automotive News reports. Ultimately, it makes sense that Subaru is focusing on hybrid power, as its competitors at Toyota and Honda are deeply invested in electrifying their bread-and-butter models — and have reaped the sales benefits.
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