Follow us today...
It's time to check under the tree and see what Santa brought Subaru fans. There's a redesigned 2023 Outback, Ascent, and Legacy, but there's not much new for Crosstrek or Forester. Here are five things Subaru fans asked Santa for but won't find under the tree this morning.
1. Subaru Crosstrek Wilderness
When will U.S. customers get an all-new 2024 Crosstrek Wilderness trim level? It's not under the tree this year. The Crosstrek Wilderness will be the third SUV with the rugged Wilderness branding joining the Outback and Forester. But the Wilderness trim level will arrive later than the standard model. Fans may not see the new Crosstrek Wilderness until next Christmas.
2. Forester XT Turbocharged model
Subaru customers in Japan get an early Christmas present, but not in North America. Subaru Corporation announced the Japanese-specification 2023 Forester would get a new XT Edition with a turbocharged engine. The new Forester XT comes with a 1.8-liter turbocharged Boxer engine, but it's not coming to North America. A Forester turbo for U.S. customers could be two years away.
3. Outback or Forester Hybrid
A new report says the Japanese automaker is working on improved and more fuel-efficient Hybrid and plug-in hybrid technology that's coming soon. Subaru only offers the Crosstrek plug-in Hybrid for its U.S. customers, but why not Forester, Outback, and Ascent SUVs?
Subaru CEO Tomomi Nakamura announced in May that they will add a dedicated in-house EV assembly plant in Japan by 2027. Subaru says they will invest $2.05 billion in new hybrid and electric vehicle initiatives over the next five years. Subaru fans will have to wait a while to get the new hybrid models.
4. Head-Up Display
The newly-updated 2023 Outback offers customers standard safety-first features like driver assist, surround-view cameras with blind-spot detection, and visual indicators in the side mirrors. Still, it doesn't provide a head-up display (HUD) system that projects information onto the windshield.
A head-up display is more than a luxury feature. It's a needed safety feature because it allows the driver to keep both eyes on the road by directly putting essential information in the driver's sight. Many automakers like Mazda and Hyundai now offer a head-up display on lower trims, and you don't have to buy a luxury car to get it. It's the one feature Subaru should provide on the 2023 Outback midsize SUV. You won't find it under the tree this morning.
5. A Wilderness heated steering wheel
Outdoor enthusiasts will be in deep snow and icy cold temperatures this winter. It's hard to believe, but a heated steering wheel is unavailable on the 2023 Subaru Outback, and Forester Wilderness trim levels. Still, it's standard on Touring, Limited XT, and Touring XT trims. But Subaru didn't give their active customers one of the best gifts they could have received.
Santa has been good to Subaru fans, but they asked for five things they won't find under the tree this morning. Keep asking because Subaru of America will eventually respond.
What's coming next year
The Crosstrek subcompact crossover received upgrades in 2021 and would have been due for a redesign for the 2023 model year, but global supply interruptions pushed its arrival to next year. The next-generation Crosstrek should arrive before the Holidays in 2023.
The all-new 2024 Subaru Impreza hatchback will arrive well before the Holiday season in 2023. Subaru says the remodeled compact car will be here next Spring.
What gifts will you ask Subaru of America for next year? Let them know in the comment section below.
You Might Also Like: Subaru Will Drop The Crosstrek Hybrid - Here’s Why And What’s Coming Next
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.
Subaru Report - We’ve got you covered! Check back tomorrow for more unique, informative SUBARU news, reviews, and previews you can trust.
Leave your comments below, share the article with friends and tweet it out to your followers!
Photo credit: main image Subaru Canada
Follow us today...
