A Next-Gen Subaru Outback Hybrid And 1.8L Turbo Are Now Likely For The U.S.

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The 2022 Subaru Outback with a 1.8-liter turbocharged engine breaks cover in Japan. Here's why customers in the U.S. could see the next-generation 2025 Outback with the smaller turbo engine.

Subaru announced the new 2022 Outback in Japan this week, and it's powered by the new 1.8-liter direct-injection turbocharged Boxer engine. It's the same engine that the Japanese automaker first put in the next-generation Levorg and the Japan-spec 2022 Forester Sport. Will Subaru of America bring the 1.8-liter turbocharged four-cylinder Boxer to U.S. customers?

Subaru will likely use the 1.8-liter turbocharged direct-injection (DIT) engine in the next-generation 2025 Outback. But Subaru will couple the small turbocharged engine with hybrid technology they are now developing with Toyota.

Subaru announced last year that 40 percent of its global sales will have some form of electric power by mid-2025 to 2030, and the Japanese automaker has set a target to "sell only electric vehicles" worldwide by the first half of the 2030s. Subaru will accomplish the goal with help from Toyota's hybrid technology and the 1.8-liter turbocharged Boxer engine.

The 2022 Subaru Outback 1.8-liter turbocharged direct-injection (DIT) four-cylinder, lean combustion Boxer engine, announced last week in Japan, produces 175 horsepower and 221 lb-ft of torque. It's the ideal powerplant mated with two electric motors offering improved fuel efficiency.

Subaru reports the new 2022 Forester Sport 1.8-liter turbocharged engine gets 24.2/35.7 city/highway mpg and 33.6 combined mpg (10.3km / liter) (15.2km / liter) (14.3km / liter). When combined with hybrid power, it will have more torque and improved fuel mileage.

What's next for the 2023 Subaru Outback?

The 2023 Subaru Outback will be in the fourth year of its product cycle. It will refresh with some exterior styling changes, new safety technology, and possibly a new exterior color and wheels.

The 2024 Subaru Outback will get few changes in the last year before getting a complete remodel in 2025. The 2025 Subaru Outback is the model to watch, and it could get the new 1.8-liter direct-injection turbocharged (DIT) four-cylinder, lean combustion Boxer engine coupled with hybrid technology.

Subaru will likely offer U.S. customers the 2.4-liter turbocharged engine in XT models, discontinuing the 2.5-liter non-turbocharged engine used in the 2022 Outback base Premium and Limited trims and unveil a new 2025 Outback 1.8-liter hybrid model. Subaru has not confirmed this information, but it fits with their goals and the Japanese automaker's 2020 Vision plan they announced earlier. 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

This is hopeful news. A new hybrid powertrain with an eCVT developed with Toyota would solve the only shortcomings of the entire Subaru line. In the opinion of this Forester owner.

Submitted by Edward (not verified) on October 17, 2021 - 2:02AM

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The only thing I am hesitant (although not a deal breaker) keeping me from buying the Subaru Outback is the fuel economy. There are other car makers with hybrid SUVs that give better fuel economy numbers than the Subaru Outback. As soon as Subaru comes out with a hybrid Outback and offer better MPGs, I want to jump at it!

Yes! I am DEFINITELY disappointed in mpg I get on my 2020 Outback Touring XT. I get generally 20 mpg, which is disappointing. My friend with the exact car without tirbo gets 28 mph! Since I lease, I fear the price jump that will be on 2023. I wish there was already a hybrid. Guess I'll have to give up turbo

Submitted by Sandro Francioni (not verified) on January 16, 2022 - 5:17PM

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I would love to have the option of buying a Subaru without all wheel drive.

Submitted by Angela (not verified) on January 17, 2022 - 11:39PM

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Was hoping Subaru would have gotten with the hybrid program before this. I’m a longtime Subaru fan/owner, but not having a hybrid option in the Outback is getting old. Planning on finally trading in my Outback this Spring- looks like it’s going to be on something other than a Subaru (don’t like the Crosstrek)

Completely agree. Really hope they will bring back a Legacy GT Wagon option for the US with the 2025 redesign. The lower center of gravity translates to a much more enjoyable driving experience (and safer/more stable, to boot).

YES!! There is a die-hard base of sport-wagon fans in the US. With only the Audi RS6 at over $100k, they would have the lower side of that market all to themselves.

Submitted by Arran (not verified) on January 19, 2022 - 4:48PM

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Outback hybrid should have been here by now. Still need to tow at least 2k though so they need to keep that in mind.

Submitted by VTBill (not verified) on February 22, 2022 - 7:23AM

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I have a 2012 outback with 180k. Guess I'm gonna put 225K or more on it while I wait for the Hybrid.

Me too!! Unfortunately I’m starting to have serious problems on mine. If I have to buy one sooner I’m not sure what I’ll get since I won’t buy another car that isn’t hybrid. The thought of going to another brand makes me nervous.

Submitted by Craig Cook (not verified) on October 1, 2022 - 11:42AM

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I will hold on to my 2020 leased Outback a couple more years and wait for the hybrid Outback. I'll just trade mine in. I was thinking about the Toyota Venza but it's just something about Subaru that holds me.

Submitted by Cole (not verified) on November 15, 2022 - 4:09AM

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truth be told, i'm personally not worried about buying the current petrol outback - be it NA or turbo, i could handle the mpg's.
the problem is when you'll try to sell it later, not sure how many people that can handle that mpg would buy it used.