Subaru to end combustion-engine sales in Europe by end of 2027, leaving only EVs

Subaru is phasing out combustion-engine vehicles in Europe by the end of 2027 and will sell only EVs.

Subaru drops gas engine for EVs in Europe

The Japanese automaker will stop selling internal combustion engine vehicles in Europe by the end of next year, at the latest.

Known for its boxer engines, Subaru’s shift to an all-electric lineup is not necessarily by choice. Subaru Germany confirmed the news to Auto Motor und sport, saying the decision is due to the European Union’s emissions and driver-assistance regulations.

The transition will start with the Outback, Subaru’s iconic wagon, which will be discontinued at the end of the year.

In 2027, three more boxer-powered models will follow, including the Impreza, Crosstrek, and Forester, all of which use Subaru’s mild-hybrid 2.0L boxer engine.

From 2028, three EVs will remain in Subaru’s European lineup: the Solterra, E-Outback, and Uncharted. The three electric crossover SUVs are developed with Toyota and are twins of the bZ4X, bZ4X Touring, and C-HR+.

Subaru is not ruling out full hybrid drive vehicles for Europe at some point, but has no official plans yet.

The decision only applies to Europe. In the US, Subaru still sells the Crosstrek and Forester with a 2.5L full hybrid boxer engine.

Subaru’s US electric vehicle lineup consists of the Solterra, Uncharted, and Trailseeker, which is sold as the E-Outback in Europe. Next year, it will add its first three-row electric SUV, the Getway. It’s essentially a rebadged version of Toyota’s three-row electric SUV, the Highlander BEV.

Separately, Subaru showcased its first in-house EV tech to reporters on Sunday as it plans to wean off its reliance on Toyota for its next-generation electric vehicles.

The new tech includes Subaru’s first dedicated EV platform, plus new batteries, electric motors, and an integrated control unit to enable over-the-air updates.

Subaru didn’t reveal a specific launch date, but company officials said some of the new EV tech will begin rolling out around 2029.

The company showcased a disguised Outback test vehicle fitted with an all-wheel-drive powertrain that delivered a combined 509 horsepower (380 kW). According to Subaru, the setup is lighter, more efficient, and enables the EV to accelerate from 0 to 62 mph (0 to 100 km/h) in under 4 seconds.