Posted Thursday, September 18, 2025 at 10:24pm
Subaru’s model lineup has felt a bit antithetical to the brand’s image for much of the 2020s. Subaru’s key demographics – with the exception of WRX bros – seem like the sort of environmentally conscious buyers in liberal states that would embrace the move toward fuel-efficient hybrid and battery-electric vehicles. But Subaru’s offerings have not catered to that sentiment at all.
Subaru partners with Toyota on electric vehicles, which has meant – for better or worse, business-wise – the automaker has been behind the curve. Subaru’s only EV in production for 2025 was the Solterra, a rebadged version of the Toyota bZ4X. The Solterra does a solid job being an all-wheel-drive, capable Subaru. But outdated charging and battery tech have plagued it since the product’s launch. Surely, Subaru could also partner with Toyota on hybrids, right? Well, the brand hasn’t really done that either. The Forester just got around to offering a hybrid at a time when the Toyota RAV4 is going all-hybrid. Earlier, the Crosstrek was briefly available with electric assistance. The Outback and Ascent still haven’t had hybrid versions.
