Subaru Boss Says A Next-Generation Crosstrek Hybrid Return Is Now “Probable”

With the shift towards more fuel-efficient hybrid-electric vehicles (HEVs), why did Subaru Corporation discontinue the Crosstrek Plug-In Hybrid? Subaru introduced the all-new 2024 Crosstrek subcompact but said it would not be available with a hybrid trim level.

A new report from Automotive News (by subscription), in an interview with Garrick Goh, car line planning manager for the Crosstrek, says the next-generation Crosstrek will be available with new hybrid technology. But it will be better than the previous model.

The 2023 Crosstrek plug-in hybrid was available in only ten states, and only 2 percent of customers purchased one. However, Goh said it is "probable" Subaru Corporation will add a hybrid trim level to the third-generation Crosstrek lineup.

Why did Subaru drop the Crosstrek hybrid?

Subaru will drop the Crosstrek PHEV after this year because it's too expensive and it has one of the lowest electric ranges. According to a recent study from Consumer Reports (by subscription), the Crosstrek Hybrid is not the worst for the all-electric range, but it's close. Here are the eleven lowest electric range PHEV models.

PHEVs with the shortest electric-only ranges

2023 Porsche Cayenne Turbo S/Coupe E-Hybrid 4.0 L: 15 miles
2023 Subaru Crosstrek Plug-In Hybrid 17 miles
2022 BMW 745e xDrive: 17 miles
2022 Porsche Cayenne/Coupe E-Hybrid 3.0 L: 17 miles
2023 Porsche Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid 4.0 L: 17 miles
2023 Mini Cooper SE Countryman All4: 18 miles
2022 Volvo XC90 T8 AWD Recharge: 17 miles
2023 BMW 530e xDrive: 19 miles
2022 Land Rover Range Rover Sport PHEV: 19 miles
2023 Porsche Panamera 4 and 4S E-Hybrid: 19 miles
2022 Volvo XC60 T8 AWD Recharge: 19 miles
2022 BMW 330e xDrive: 20 miles

Slow sales are the biggest reason why Subaru of America (SOA) chose to drop the Crosstrek PHEV. SOA only sold 2,600 Crosstrek Hybrids in the U.S. in 2021 (less than 1% of Subaru's unit sales in the country, according to data from auto research specialist MarkLines.) Moreover, Subaru only sold 1,731 Crosstrek hybrid models in the U.S. through the first nine months of 2022.

What's next for the Crosstrek hybrid?

Subaru announced they will begin making new EVs in mixed production with internal combustion vehicles at its Yajima plant in Japan by 2025. Automotive News says Subaru will begin offering hybridized powertrains sourced from Toyota by 2025.

Subaru Corporation is investing $1.8 billion to develop a new factory in Japan starting in 2027. Subaru will build a dedicated EV factory on the site of its Oizumi plant in Japan and produce its new battery-electric (BEV) and hybrid electric vehicles (HEV). Subaru says by 2030, at least 40 percent of Subaru's global sales will be BEVs or HEVs.

The third-generation Subaru Crosstrek will likely be the first new hybrid electric vehicle Subaru of America gets. As a result, Subaru will need to price the new hybrid model closer to the standard models and make it affordable for customers. In addition, we expect to see a new Crosstrek subcompact SUV Hybrid trim level added to the lineup by the 2025-2027 model year.

Garrick Goh, planning manager for the next-generation Crosstrek, says "it's probable" the third-generation Crosstrek will be available with new hybrid technology. But it will have a more extended all-electric range than the previous model. Stay tuned.

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Denis Flierl has invested over 30 years in the automotive industry in a consulting role working with every major car brand. He is an accredited member of the Rocky Mountain Automotive Press. Check out Subaru Report, where he covers all of the Japanese automaker's models. More stories can be found on the Torque News Subaru page. Follow Denis on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

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Photo credit: Subaru USA