Subaru May Finally Be Prepared To Address The One Issue Limiting The Outback | Carscoops

Subaru May Finally Be Prepared To Address The One Issue Limiting The Outback | Carscoops

      A new powertrain option could soon provide the ICE-only Outback with the enhancement that many drivers have been anticipating.

      8 hours ago

      by Thanos Pappas

      Subaru has confirmed it is considering a hybrid system for the new Outback.

      The electrified option has the potential to reduce emissions and improve overall fuel efficiency.

      The Outback might incorporate hybrid technology similar to that found in the Crosstrek and Forester.

      Subaru’s range is changing, with some models cautiously adopting electrification while others remain committed to traditional engines. The Crosstrek and Forester now offer hybrid powertrains; however, the latest generation of the Outback is still fully reliant on internal combustion.

      This could change soon, as recent reports indicate that Subaru is evaluating an electrified option that could enhance the Outback’s efficiency and broaden its appeal.

      More: Subaru Finally Addressed The One Issue That Frustrated Outback Owners

      Earlier this year, a new generation of the Outback was launched, moving away from the crossover wagon design of its predecessors to a more upright, SUV-like silhouette.

      Currently, the series is equipped with two gasoline engines that are not electrified: a naturally aspirated 2.5-liter engine producing 180 hp (134 kW / 183 PS) and a turbocharged 2.4-liter engine that delivers 260 hp (194 kW / 264 PS). Both are mated to a continuously variable transmission and Subaru’s symmetrical all-wheel-drive system.

      Is a Hybrid Coming Soon?

      Outback product manager Toshihiro Ohya suggested that the lineup may not remain solely combustion-based for much longer. In a conversation with the Australian outlet Drive.com.au during the Tokyo Motor Show, Ohya mentioned, “Hybrid… we are considering some power unit, but we have not decided the next power unit.”

      Though his comments leave some interpretation, they strongly indicate that progress on an electrified variant is already underway.

      If Subaru adheres to its current strategy, the most likely approach would be to implement the brand’s self-charging hybrid technology utilized in the Crosstrek and Forester. This system pairs a 2.5-liter petrol engine with an electric motor and a 1.1 kWh battery, collectively generating 194 hp (145 kW / 197 PS).

      Such a powertrain could yield significant advantages. Reduced emissions and substantial improvements in fuel efficiency would help Subaru comply with increasingly strict regulations in essential markets, especially in Australia.

      In the Forester, the hybrid system boosts fuel efficiency by up to 40 percent in city driving, a statistic that may make an Outback Hybrid attractive to buyers looking for lower operating costs without sacrificing all-wheel drive or capability.

      More: Subaru Launched a Wilderness Edition in Japan That Missed Its Wilder Side

      Pricing will also play a crucial role. In the United States, the Forester Hybrid is priced between $1,590 and $3,315 higher than its gasoline counterpart, depending on the trim. If the Outback adopts a similar pricing model, a base hybrid could be expected to start at around $38,000 to $40,000.

      For those who prefer to avoid hybrids altogether, Subaru already offers the fully electric Trailseeker, referred to as the E-Outback in Europe. It provides a similar footprint and off-road functionality but replaces gasoline with battery power, indicating the potential long-term direction for the brand.

Subaru May Finally Be Prepared To Address The One Issue Limiting The Outback | Carscoops Subaru May Finally Be Prepared To Address The One Issue Limiting The Outback | Carscoops Subaru May Finally Be Prepared To Address The One Issue Limiting The Outback | Carscoops

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Subaru May Finally Be Prepared To Address The One Issue Limiting The Outback | Carscoops

A new powertrain choice could soon provide the ICE-only Outback with the enhancement that many drivers have been anticipating.