Subaru and boxer engines have gone hand in hand for decades, but that relationship is coming to an end in Europe. The Japanese automaker has confirmed that it will stop selling new gasoline-powered and hybrid models in the region by the end of 2027.
That means familiar names like the Outback, Forester, Crosstrek, and Impreza are all heading for the exit. From 2028, Subaru’s European showrooms will be stocked exclusively with electric vehicles.
The decision isn’t simply about Subaru wanting to embrace an electric future. Speaking to German publication Auto Motor und Sport, Subaru Germany confirmed that European regulations are behind the decision.
Stricter CO₂ fleet limits are part of the problem, but new safety and driver-assistance requirements are also adding to the cost of keeping these vehicles on sale. For a relatively small player in Europe, those expenses are becoming difficult to justify.
The Outback Goes First
The phaseout has already begun with the current Outback, which uses a naturally aspirated 2.5-liter boxer engine producing 169 horsepower. Its European run is ending in 2026, bringing the curtain down on one of Subaru’s most recognizable models.
The Impreza, Crosstrek, and Forester will follow in 2027. All three currently use Subaru’s e-Boxer mild-hybrid system, pairing a 2.0-liter boxer engine with electrical assistance.
Even electrification isn’t enough to save these models under Subaru’s current European plans. Their departure will leave the brand without a combustion-powered vehicle in the region for the first time in its history.
Three Electric Models Will Take Their Place
Subaru’s European lineup will consist of the Solterra, Uncharted, and E-Outback from 2028 onward. All three share their underlying technology with Toyota models, reflecting the two automakers’ ongoing collaboration.
The Solterra is closely related to the Toyota bZ4X, while the E-Outback shares its foundations with the bZ4X Touring. The smaller Uncharted is based on the Toyota C-HR+.
Subaru’s electric lineup will still offer all-wheel drive, although the Uncharted will also be available with front-wheel drive. That gives European buyers a choice of drivetrains, even as the brand abandons combustion engines in the region.
Could Subaru’s Hybrids Make A Comeback?
The situation is different outside Europe, where Subaru continues to offer combustion-powered vehicles. American buyers can also choose full-hybrid versions of the Forester and Crosstrek, powered by a 2.5-liter boxer engine.
Those full hybrids aren’t currently confirmed for Europe, although Subaru hasn’t ruled out the possibility of bringing hybrid models back in the future.
European buyers who still want a new Subaru with a boxer engine are running out of time. Come 2028, the choice will be between three electric models, and not one of them will have a piston under the hood.