Subaru e-Boxer hybrids achieved their goal despite brand's move to Toyota-sourced powertrains from next year, starting with 2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid: Subaru Australia

Speaking to CarsGuide at the launch of the Solterra mid-size electric SUV, Subaru Australia says the e-Boxer hybrid versions of the Forester and Crosstrek remain popular with buyers despite their fuel efficiency gains being limited compared to most hybrid rivals.

When queried on the topic, Subaru Australia managing director Blair Read acknowledged the limitations of the system but said the technology remained popular with buyers regardless.

"I think if we look at the performance of hybrid we've had major year-on-year growth. [To the end of 2023] it was close to double the volume compared to last year's numbers, and actually we haven't been able to get enough of them," Read said.

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"Hybrids have the longest lead time - Crosstrek hybrid has the longest of any of our models on the market, so customer demand is definitely there. Forester too, compared to some of the market - we're now looking into next year for orders and to that strong hybrid system."

"Customer feedback on the fuel consumption is just one aspect - we find they're looking at the overall package: All-wheel drive, full safety, and the hybrid fuel performance - so that fuel economy figure is just one aspect of the hybrid offering."

In the case of the Forester, for example, the e-Boxer hybrid costs some $3000 more than the equivalent non-hybrid model, but only brings the official combined average fuel economy down from 7.4L/100km to 6.7L/100km, in the process swapping the usual 2.5-litre four-cylinder boxer engine producing 136kW/239Nm for a down-sized 2.0-litre unit (110kW/196Nm) paired with a small electric motor inside the continuously variable automatic transmission, adding an additional 12kW/66Nm.

Interestingly, it is the next-gen Forester set to arrive in 2025 that will be the first Subaru to adopt a Toyota-sourced hybrid powertrain.

In comparison, the petrol all-wheel drive RAV4 Edge consumes an official 7.0L/100km, while the hybrid Edge, at a more tame $2130 premium, trims fuel consumption down to just 4.8L/100km.

Interestingly, it is the next-gen Forester set to arrive in 2025 that will be the first Subaru to adopt a Toyota-sourced hybrid powertrain to replace the comparatively lacklustre e-Boxer system, something which Read says will help Subaru by making an example of it's best-selling model.

"We're very excited about that - I've always said with next-gen Forester it's our number-one selling model in Australia, so we need to put our best foot forward - we believe that strong hybrid technology will be a big shot in the arm. Alongside some other things which we'll keep under wraps until the launch," Read said.

Pretty soon from Subaru we’ll also need to be seeing some new electric vehicles.

"Our plan at this stage is to launch with both petrol and hybrid - there will be a short period, a gap in deliveries, as we change over to the new model." The new Forester is planned to arrive in 2025.

What other things might Read be referencing? It's no secret the brand has been after a return of the XT turbo variant for some time, so watch this space to see if the next Forester will score the same 2.4-litre four-cylinder turbocharged engine which now appears in the Outback range, producing 183kW/350Nm.

Pretty soon from Subaru we'll also need to be seeing some new electric vehicles, as the brand has committed to eight new EVs (including Solterra) by 2028, three more of which are planned to be on the market by the end of 2026.

So far the brand has dropped hints that the Impreza could be set for an all-electric overhaul, while Japanese media is reporting an EV Forester may well be next.