1 Subaru Model Leaves for 2024, but You Probably Won’t Notice
What’s missing from the 2024 Subaru SUV lineup? It could take you a few minutes to figure out what this brand offered for 2023 that isn’t part of the new model year. The answer to what’s missing is the Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid. Although the Crosstrek is one of the most popular and highest-rated subcompact crossovers, the hybrid version wasn’t selling well, pushing the brand change.
Hybrids are on the rise, but not the Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid. Why?
Consumers are gobbling up hybrid SUVs like movie theater popcorn, choosing the more efficient version of many models. Although traditional gas-powered SUVs are still popular, hybrid popularity has grown quickly, but the small Crosstrek Hybrid faces slow sales, leading to its inevitable demise. Subaru discontinues this subcompact hybrid Subaru SUV, for now.
The Crosstrek Hybrid never quite caught on as a popular choice. TorqueNews reports only 2,600 hybrid versions were sold in 2021, with only 1,731 versions leaving dealer lots during the first nine months of 2022. Sales in 2023 didn’t change the story for this small hybrid SUV.
Slow sales are the most significant reason for the Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid’s demise.
Why is this small Subaru hybrid SUV such a slow mover?
If hybrid SUVs are more popular than ever, why weren’t more versions of the Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid sold? Although this SUV delivers good fuel mileage figures, returning 38 city/45 hwy MPGe and 17 miles of all-electric driving range. This plug-in hybrid SUV is missing the mark in some ways, but there’s a more significant issue facing it other than fuel mileage.
The 2023 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid’s starting price of $38,070 is a serious turn-off for shoppers looking for a subcompact crossover. The Crosstrek Premium trim only costs $26,020, more than $12,000 less than the base price for the hybrid version. This price difference is likely the most significant reason for the slow sales.
Will we see a hybrid powertrain in the third-generation Crosstrek?
The third generation of the Subaru Crosstrek should arrive in the 2025 model year. A new hybrid version could arrive as early as the launch date or as late as 2027. Because the Crosstrek is a subcompact SUV, Subaru should price a future hybrid version closer to the gas-powered Crosstrek.
In addition to a more competitive price, a new Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid should provide an extended all-electric range and fuel mileage figures that are more competitive with the Kia Nirom which reaches 53 city/54 hwy mpg.
