
Subaru Australia says customers will decide its powertrains, not government
The NVES is designed to incentivise manufacturers to reduce CO2 emissions across their vehicle lineups, and officially commenced on January 1, 2025. Monetary penalties began on July 1, which now means manufacturers will be penalised $100 per g/km of CO2 for every vehicle that exceeds the average carbon emissions target set each year.
Speaking at the Australasian launch of the sixth-generation Forester, Subaru Australia general manager Scott Lawrence said the brand had plans in the works.
'First and foremost, we support initiatives to reduce CO2, and we support any actions in that space,' he told CarExpert.
CarExpert can save you thousands on a new car. Click here to get a great deal. Supplied Credit: CarExpert
ABOVE: Subaru Forester S:HEV
'Our response to that is product. Making sure we've got the right product in the market. Forester Strong Hybrid is our first Strong Hybrid in the market, and that'll definitely help.'
Subaru's new Strong Hybrid (S:HEV) powertrain is a traditional hybrid developed with the support of technology from Toyota. It's intended to be a substantial upgrade over the hybrid available with the previous generation, bringing improved performance and fuel economy.
The Japanese brand also has only one electric vehicle (EV) here, the slow-selling Solterra SUV, which was developed in partnership with Toyota and twinned with that brand's bZ4X. While the Forester is expected to sell well given the nameplate's figures in recent years, the Solterra is currently down 56.5 per cent year-to-date with only 121 deliveries in 2025.
The remainder of Subaru's lineup is dominated by petrol-only vehicles, ranging from the small and economy-focused Impreza to the sporty turbocharged WRX. This is despite the availability of mild-hybrid e-Boxer versions of the Impreza overseas. Supplied Credit: CarExpert
ABOVE: Subaru Crosstrek S:HEV
The Crosstrek e-Boxer hybrid has also been available in Australia since 2023, which like the outgoing Forester hybrid falls short of rivals from Toyota in terms of fuel economy.
However, Subaru does offer a Crosstrek S:HEV in Japan, which features a similar powertrain to the new Forester and could potentially be brought here.
Additionally, Subaru recently unveiled the Trailseeker EV in the United States, while the Uncharted EV made its debut last week. These models have not been confirmed for Australia, but like the Solterra, they are twinned with Toyota models – the bZ4X Touring and C-HR+, respectively.
'Ultimately though, consumers will choose. What we see playing out is we're going to continue to offer [internal combustion] for as long as it's possible, again because consumers will choose,' Mr Lawrence told CarExpert.
'We'll offer Strong Hybrid, and we'll offer EV too. We'll continue to expand that EV range in line with [Subaru Corporation's] ambition to grow them. So, multi-powertrain.' Supplied Credit: CarExpert Supplied Credit: CarExpert
ABOVE: Updated Subaru Solterra (left) and Subaru Trailseeker
Under the NVES, manufacturers must meet a set average carbon emissions target across their lineup, which decreases annually. The current target is 141g/km for Type 1 vehicles, or passenger cars, which will decrease to 58g/km by 2029.
For context on Subaru's situation, a petrol Forester produces 180g/km of CO2, while the Strong Hybrid produces 140g/km. Further, Subaru claims 170g/km for the 2.0-litre Impreza, 168g/km for a non-turbo Outback, and 225g/km for a manual WRX.
The emissions for these comparatively popular vehicles will be challenging to offset for Subaru's EVs in Australia, especially given the current low demand for the Solterra and unclear local intentions for the Trailseeker and Uncharted.
'I need to reiterate – we will also be reactive to what consumers want. They're the ultimate decider when it comes to powertrain choice and powertrain demand,' Mr Lawrence added.
When CarExpert asked whether Subaru Australia was concerned about meeting the current NVES emissions targets, Mr Lawrence simply replied, 'no'.
MORE: What the first federal emission standard means for Aussie car buyers
MORE: Subaru Forester, Crosstrek's new hybrid technology detailed
MORE: 2026 Subaru Trailseeker looks like an Outback EV
MORE: 2026 Subaru Uncharted revealed as brand's third EV
MORE: Everything Subaru
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While it's significantly more expensive than the equivalent Tiguan Allspace, the entry-level Tayron upgrades from an 8.0-inch infotainment touchscreen to a larger 12.9-inch unit, while its transmission gets another gear, and there are additional features like a surround-view camera fitted as standard. Compared to the entry-level Tiguan 110TSI Life, the Tayron is $3300 more expensive. Stepping up to the 150TSI variants – the $53,990 plus on-roads Life, and $59,490 plus on-roads Elegance – gets you all-wheel drive and a more powerful 150kW 2.0-litre turbo four. Unusually, like the Tiguan, the 150TSI Life is a five-seater, while all other Tayrons feature seven seats. Topping the range is the all-wheel drive 195TSI R-Line at $73,490 before on-road costs, or $3000 more than the Tiguan 195TSI R-Line. It also comes with 2.0-litre turbo four, but this time with outputs of 195kW and 400Nm. All Tayrons come standard with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. While the base engine has the same outputs as in the outgoing Tiguan Allspace, the other engines boast more power. The 150TSI produces 18kW more power than the old Tiguan Allspace 132TSI, while the 190TSI produces 28kW and 50Nm more than the old 162TSI. The Tayron is based on the German automaker's MQB Evo platform and measures 4792mm – 64mm longer than the Tiguan Allspace it replaces – with luggage space expanding by 115 litres to 345L (measured to the top of the rear backrests). This expands to 850L in seven-seat versions with the rear seat folded, and an even larger 885L in the five-seat 150TSI Life. Six exterior paint colours will be offered from launch: Pure White, Oyster Silver Metallic, Dolphin Grey Metallic, Night Shade Blue Metallic, Grenadilla Black Metallic, and Ultra Violet Premium are the features Volkswagen Australia has detailed so far for the new Tayron range. The 110TSI Life comes standard with the following equipment: The 150TSI Life adds: The 150TSI Elegance adds: The 195TSI R-Line adds: Optional on the 150TSI Elegance and 195TSI R-Line is: • Panoramic roof Optional on the 150TSI Elegance is: Optional on the 195TSI R-Line is: Content originally sourced from: