Subaru will phase out internal combustion engines in Europe by 2028. The boxer engine will be discontinued.
Subaru will end sales of gasoline-powered vehicles in Europe by 2028, with the phasing out of its current lineup starting as early as 2026. Three electric models will remain on the market: Uncharted, Solterra, and e-Outback.
For a brand associated with boxer engines, this is a symbolic farewell. However, the decision applies only to Europe and not to Subaru’s entire global lineup.
The Outback will disappear first
The first on the list is the gasoline-powered Subaru Outback, which is set to be withdrawn from European sales by 2026. According to “Auto Motor und Sport,” a year later, the same fate will await the Impreza, Crosstrek, and Forester. Starting in 2028, Subaru’s European dealerships will offer only electric vehicles.
The compact crossover Uncharted will take on the role of the base model. Above it will be the Solterra and e-Outback, both positioned in the mid-size segment. It is unknown whether Subaru will add another vehicle to this lineup by the end of 2028.
The manufacturer attributes the change to increasingly strict EU CO2 emission standards for new vehicle fleets. These are compounded by mandatory safety and driver assistance systems. Adjusting the niche combustion engine lineup to meet subsequent regulations is costly, and according to Subaru, it is no longer worthwhile.
Importer Emil Frey presents a more optimistic outlook. “With the introduction of our three fully electric models, we have reached a milestone this year,” his spokesperson said, as quoted by the Swiss magazine “Blick.” The company also mentions strong demand, but the materials provided do not include sales figures that would allow an assessment of the extent of this interest.
Subaru’s own platform not until 2029
Subaru’s current electric lineup is closely tied to Toyota. However, the Japanese brand is working on its own architecture aimed at reducing this dependence and enabling the development of more independent models.
The new platform is set to use smaller electric motors from Aisin as well as lighter batteries from Panasonic. In the four-wheel-drive version, the system’s rated power is around 375 kW, or 510 horsepower. The first production car based on this platform is expected to appear in 2029.
The gap above the e-Outback could be filled by the seven-seater Subaru Getaway, which has already been unveiled with the U.S. and Australia in mind. However, the manufacturer does not plan to introduce it in Europe for now. Until 2029, Subaru will thus have to rely on just three electric models for at least two model years. For a niche brand, this is a bold plan, though actual sales figures, which have not yet been released, will be the real test.
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