Hybrid power is being weighed up for Subaru’s new-generation, SUV-styled wagon to cut fuel use and CO2 below today’s thirsty petrol engines.
An electrified boost is being considered for the Subaru Outback high-riding wagon, as a more fuel-efficient alternative to the current 2.5-litre non-turbo and 2.4-litre turbo petrol options.
It comes as the new-generation turbo Outback is set to emit more CO2 – and consume more fuel – than its predecessor, despite the introduction of emissions rules on new cars in Australia that will penalise manufacturers for selling too many high-CO2 vehicles.
Subaru is in the midst of a rollout of improved hybrid models combining its 2.5-litre petrol engine with an electric motor and battery sourced from Toyota, debuting in the Forester and Crosstrek SUVs.
It would be a logical fit for the Outback, which offers the same 2.5-litre petrol engine in most models in Australia.
MORE: 2026 Subaru Outback price and specs – next-gen SUV arrives with Wilderness off-road edition
“Hybrid… we are considering some power unit, but we have not decided the next power unit,” Subaru Outback product manager Toshihiro Ohya told Drive at the Tokyo motor show.
A hybrid Outback would slot between today’s petrol engines and the Trailseeker, an Outback-esque, electric wagon-SUV mash-up that is sold by Subaru as the e-Outback in Europe.
If the Forester is a guide, fitting Subaru’s latest 2.5-litre hybrid system could cut fuel consumption in the Outback from 8.1 litres per 100 kilometres, to about 6.4L/100km.
MORE: 2026 Subaru Outback one step closer to Australia, XT turbo-petrol to remain
It could also lower lab-tested CO2 emissions from 183 grams per kilometre, to 142g/km, it would allow the Outback Hybrid to meet Australian NVES CO2 rules and earn emissions ‘credits’ for its maker to offset sales of other, higher-emissions Subarus.
That is based on the CO2 targets for 2025, however, and the rules are due to become more stringent from next year, so by the time the Outback Hybrid was to launch, it would likely be back in the black.
The Forester Hybrid produces 145kW, up from 136kW/247Nm in the regular petrol-only 2.5-litre version, from a combination of a detuned 121kW/212Nm engine and 90kW/276Nm electric motor.
MORE: Subaru Outback electric car confirmed as renamed Trailseeker, Australian plans still TBC
Hybrid power commands a $5000 premium in the Forester range, when comparing equivalent variants.
The regular, petrol-only Outback is priced from $48,990 plus on-road costs in its cheapest, new-generation 2.5-litre form, up $4800 compared to the previous model.
Flagship Outback Wilderness Apex examples with a 2.4-litre turbo engine are priced at $62,690 plus on-roads, $5200 more than the previous most expensive Outback.
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