The Subaru Crosstrek e-Boxer Hybrid on display at the Chicago Auto Show on Feb. 6.The Globe and Mail
Subaru is once again jumping on the hybrid bandwagon, introducing a new 2026 Crosstrek e-Boxer Hybrid at the Chicago Auto Show on Thursday. It’s not the first time Subaru’s smallest SUV has had a hybrid powertrain. From 2014-2016, the Crosstrek had a single 13-horsepower electric motor mated to a mediocre 148-horsepower two-litre flat four-cylinder engine with a 0.6-kilowatt-hour nickel-metal hydride battery pack. Later in 2019, Subaru introduced a Crosstrek plug-in hybrid, but with only 27 kilometres of electric range it didn’t bode well and was discontinued in 2023. But this time, Subaru appears to have the right combination in the Crosstrek e-Boxer Hybrid – a lithium-ion battery, better fuel efficiency, more power and no plugging-in required.
“This [new] system is more similar to the plug-in hybrid; it works and functions more like that than the original Crosstrek hybrid from 2014,” said Evan Lindsey, car line manager at Subaru Canada ahead of the Chicago Auto Show.
While the Crosstrek e-Boxer hybrid is designed to go head-to-head against competitors like the Toyota Corolla Cross hybrid SUV, it’s co-developed with Toyota. “We have our proprietary technology and Toyota has their proprietary hybrid technology. Basically, the mechanical components are coming from Subaru and the other components are coming from Toyota,” Lindsey said.
At the heart of the Crosstrek e-Boxer Hybrid is a newly developed 2.5-litre flat four-cylinder boxer engine with two electric motors. Together, they deliver 194 horsepower – a 12 horsepower jump from the regular non-hybrid Crosstrek models with the 182 horsepower 2.5-litre boxer engine. Mated to the engine is a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and Subaru’s symmetrical full-time all-wheel-drive system, which is mechanically coupled to the front and rear wheels through the propeller shaft; it’s essentially the same AWD system found in Subaru’s other vehicles powered only by gas. This hybrid can run on electric power alone, the gas engine alone or a combination of both. While the fuel economy has improved, official Canadian fuel economy numbers haven’t been released yet. Other figures, including the torque and weight, haven’t been released either.
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Located under the cargo floor is a small lithium-ion battery pack – the location doesn’t eat up valuable passenger space in the cabin or trunk space, either, since there’s no spare tire in this model; only a tire inflater. It has an electric A/C compressor, electric water pump and electric heating elements for the heating and ventilating system. To save more fuel, it has an auto start-stop function and regenerative braking to replenish the battery while driving. There are different drive modes including an X-mode with Hill Descent Control for low-speed driving situations and an EV-mode for better efficiency. And it has 220 millimetres of ground clearance.
From the outside, the hybrid model looks like a regular Crosstrek, but adds a few touches including e-Boxer badges on the side doors and rear tailgate, distinct 18-inch wheels and two new exclusive hybrid hues – Sand Dune Pearl, which resembles a boring-old beige for a more subdued look, and Citron Yellow Pearl, a shocking canary yellow that’s impossible to miss.
The 2026 Subaru Crosstrek e-Boxer Hybrid arrives at Canadian dealers later this year.Petrina Gentile/The Globe and Mail
Likewise, the interior looks similar to its siblings. The main focus is the 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster and the 11.6-inch tablet-style centre screen. Both give the cabin a more modern feel. While there are on-screen controls for the audio, climate and navigation, there still are traditional physical knobs for the volume and tuning controls, which is a welcome sight. Over all, the layout is familiar and practical. As far as technology, it has wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, Bluetooth hands-free phone, a rear-view camera and over-the-air software updates.
On the safety side, it comes with reverse automatic braking, blind-spot detection with lane change, assistant rear cross-traffic alert, and the latest version of Subaru’s EyeSight driver assist technology, which is faster and works under more conditions than prior versions thanks to a wider field of view and updated software. The system can identify cyclists and pedestrians at intersections sooner and, when necessary, alerts the driver and applies the brakes to avoid an accident. Also worth noting, the SUV has an emergency stop assist system that can bring the vehicle to a complete stop if it notices the driver isn’t responding to the audio and visual warnings. Once stopped, it begins a series of measures including activating the hazard lights, unlocking the doors and calling 911 for help.
The 2026 Subaru Crosstrek e-Boxer Hybrid arrives at Canadian dealers later this year. Pricing will be announced closer to its on-sale date. Expect to pay more than a base-model 2025 Crosstrek, which starts at $29,495, before freight and predelivery inspection.
The writer was a guest of the automaker. Content was not subject to approval.
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