Subaru Ends e-BOXER Mild-Hybrid and Turns to Toyota Hybrid and EV Technology

Overview

• Subaru confirmed Wednesday that it will discontinue its e-BOXER mild-hybrid program and stop taking orders for mild-hybrid models in Japan by fall 2026.
• The company has mapped powertrain roles across its range so that some cars stay petrol-only, others move to the stronger S:HEV self-charging hybrid, and key models will be offered as battery-electric vehicles.
• Model-level changes reported include the Impreza returning to gasoline-only, the Crosstrek becoming S:HEV-only, the Forester and Levorg Layback offering either a turbo 1.8 or S:HEV, and performance models such as the WRX and BRZ remaining petrol-powered.
• Subaru’s S:HEV pairs a naturally aspirated 2.5-litre boxer engine with a single electric motor and a Toyota-supplied battery while keeping Subaru’s mechanical Symmetrical AWD rather than Toyota’s electric e‑Four layout.
• The move follows Subaru’s 2023 halt to in-house PHEV work and expands its reliance on Toyota for hybrids and EVs, a shift that could affect final shipments in markets like Australia and gives buyers clearer choices between ICE, stronger hybrids, and full EVs.