Hybrid Forester to help Subaru hit NVES targets

SUBARU Australia has launched its sixth generation Forester this week, the model’s Strong Hybrid driveline technology part of a considered endeavour to reduce the importer’s sales weighted CO2 output average while at the same time offering customers an alternative to the growing number of petrol-electric options in Australia’s busiest new car segment.

Speaking with GoAuto at the Australasian launch of the all-new Subaru Forester in Christchurch this week, Subaru Australia general manager Scott Lawrence said the popularity of the model, coupled with segment demand for hybridised power, will assist the importer in meeting its NVES obligations.

“Our primary reason for Forester Strong Hybrid – and bringing it out when we did – is consumer demand,” he said.

“Forty per cent of the mid-sized SUV segment is hybrid … so, we needed to offer our customers that choice, and hybrid is such a big part of Australian demand in that segment right now.

“And of course, that bleeds into NVES. Our Strong Hybrid options, as well as Crosstrek mild hybrid and Solterra BEV – and the eight new BEVs we have coming by 2028 – is our response to NVES.

“BEV has a part to play, as does hybrid and ICE, at least for the rest of this decade. But, right now, hybrid is helpful for us meeting NVES (regulations).”

As reported by GoAuto Premium previously, Subaru is one of several importers the Motor Trades Association of Australia (MTAA) says will struggle to meet NVES standards by 2029 without significant model and powertrain changes.

Data collected by the MTAA shows Subaru is one of 19 importers that will find it “difficult” to meet the 58 grams of CO2 per kilometre average passenger vehicles are required to meet by 2029.

Indeed, against 2025 targets (141g CO2/km), the Japanese importer is well behind the mark, with a current sales-weighted CO2 output figure of 172.7g CO2/km) according to the MTAA.

Importers who fail to meet tightening NVES targets are penalised at a rate of $100 per gram of CO2 for each gram emitted beyond the listed threshold.

That figure, which is multiplied by the number of vehicles sold by Subaru, could result in a per vehicle penalty of $3170 – an impost that may be born by customers if the importer cannot reduce its fleet emissions.

Still, Mr Lawrence is confident the percentage of Strong Hybrid Forester variants sold will ease the importer’s exposure to NVES penalties as it moves towards offering a greater range of electrified models.

“Overall interest in the new Forester has been exceptional. We’ve seen web traffic through the roof – the highest we’ve ever had for Forester,” Mr Lawrence told GoAuto.

“We’ve been in the pre-order phase for four weeks or so, and initial orders are so far 55 per cent in favour of Strong Hyrbid and 45 per cent petrol.

“That’s a very interesting split. It shows that ICE still has a part to play in the Australian market. That may change as time goes on, but overall, we think it is a very good balance.”

Under the bonnet, the new Strong Hybrid Forester pairs Subaru’s familiar 2.5-litre four-cylinder Boxer petrol engine with an 88kW electric motor and 1.1kWh battery, all channelled to the road via a continuously variable transmission and mechanical all-wheel drive.

Subaru Australia claims the pairing is sufficient for a driving range of over 1000km, adding that the system offers improved step-off acceleration, greater torque, and the inclusion of X-Mode all-wheel drive for use away from the beaten track.

“The addition of Subaru’s latest Strong Hybrid technology gives drivers the very best Subaru SUV,” added Mr Lawrence.

“It is built to take on real Australian driving (including) rough roads, unpredictable weather, and everything in between.”

Strong Hybrid variants are joined by a familiar 2.5-litre four-cylinder Boxer petrol line-up, carried over from the previous generation range.

Visit GoAuto again soon for our local launch review of the 2025 Subaru Forester.