Subaru bringing hybrid SUVs to NZ

Subaru will soon be expanding its SUV range with the arrival of e-Boxer hybrids in Forester and XV variants.

The models will be the first to get the marque’s electrified powertrain but Wallis Dumper, Subaru of New Zealand’s managing director, says there will only be limited numbers available in 2020.

“Customers who are keen on owning one of our e-Boxer hybrids will need to move quickly as between limited factory production and global demand, New Zealand has only managed to secure small quantities of around 10-20 per month, with an initial allocation of 20 to be delivered in September and October,” he explains.

The SUVs have identical petrol-electric engines with a 2.0-litre horizontally opposed Boxer engine linked via motor assist to a high voltage lithium ion battery.

Subaru claims this will deliver fuel economy benefits, with the XV hybrid, pictured, offering more than 14 per cent improvement in fuel efficiency over equivalent petrol variants in the urban cycle and more than seven per cent in the combined cycle. 

The Forester hybrid offers a reported improvement of more than nine per cent – compared to 2.5-litre petrol variants – in the combined cycle and more than 19 per cent in the urban cycle.

Subaru’s 16 authorised centres will have demonstrator vehicles available to test drive from June 1. Pricing for the Forester hybrid starts at $47,490, while the XV model is priced from $42,490.

Dumper says the hybrids will be available despite the Covid-19 outbreak disrupting new model launches worldwide.

“Our brand has chosen to continue with its original plans to bring the hybrid SUVs to market in New Zealand,” he adds.

“We believe the e-Boxer Hybrids are worth the wait as they are perfect for New Zealand. Sure, global demand and production constraints have tested our patience, however it’s more relevant than ever to have a hybrid in our model line-up.”