Subaru has been hiding a hybrid. Where’s ours?
While passenger vehicle manufacturers clamber to be seen to be engaging in all manner of environmental responsibility, there are a handful of carmakers whose distinct lack of alternative powertrain options stick out like a coal-fired power station in a fjord.
When even Ferrari and Porsche are gleefully talking about hybridised product offerings, what excuse does a company like Subaru have?
While the local distributor has quietly deleted its diesel-engined offerings from showrooms, the lack of anything with a bit of ’leccy power in its makeup is becoming more of a marketing misfire.
But here’s the thing: it does have a hybrid in its lineup. It’s just not available in New Zealand (or, we presume, with the steering wheel on the right-hand side of the cabin).
In the United States — large sections of which are home to rampant Subaru fans, such as in the Pacific Northwest and New England — buyers can treat themselves to the feel-good vibes of owning a hybrid XV crossover.
The XV is badged a Crosstrek in their neck of the woods, but the Crosstrek Hybrid PHEV (plug-in hybrid electric vehicle) fulfils the same adventurer/outdoorsy/let’sgo-hiking vibe as the XV does here — retired babyboomer buyers notwithstanding. And it has a plug attached to give it about 28km of clean-running EV fun and an interesting talking point at that summer barbecue.
Now, 28km of pure electric driving is hardly earth-shattering. But it’s a start. And it’s more than the brand can offer its clean, green audience in New Zealand.
Plus, with everything else about the Crosstrek/XV fitting the Subey template (2-litre four-cylinder boxer engine, symmetrical allwheel drive, low weight and low centre of gravity), this is one thumbs-up, green-themed, family friendly passenger car that can still get its owners into the backblocks.
Think how much mileage Mitsubishi has managed to attain over the years with its Outlander PHEV SUV. It’s amazing Subaru hasn’t tried getting in on the action, too.
The Driven desk asked for some indication from Subaru New Zealand as to whether the Crosstrek Hybrid PHEV was likely to come to our shores with an XV badge on it, but Subaru never got back to us. Maybe its staff were down at the servo filling up on fossil and missed the email.