Subaru Trademarks e-Outback

The AutoGuide research department recently discovered Subaru has trademarked the name "e-Outback" in Japan.

While Subaru has yet to officially confirm any details about the e-Outback, it's been long rumored that a hybrid variant of the popular crossover is in the works and could be on deck for 2027. The company already offers the popular Crosstrek in hybrid guise to Canadian shoppers, so this would be a logical progression.

Of course, it's possible the Subaru e-Outback could be another fully electric model joining the Solterra. Given Subaru's ongoing partnership with Toyota–where do you think the Solterra came from–the two companies have been working closely to develop electrified vehicles, with Toyota providing expertise in hybrid and electric technologies. The partnership is a key element in Subaru’s electrification strategy, allowing the smaller automaker to leverage Toyota's resources and experience in the rapidly evolving electric vehicle market.

Subaru's recent showcase of a hybrid powertrain further indicates where the brand might be headed. Subaru showed a new series-parallel layout that will maintain a mechanical connection between the ICE and the wheels. However, the combustion engine will also serve as a generator to feed a battery that powers an electric motor. Subaru showcased its new hybrid powertrain in a camouflaged Crosstrek, the two models already share a 2.5L boxer four-cylinder, so sharing a hybrid powertrain isn't absurd.

Subaru officials were unable to provide comment on the e-Outback trademark. The company's new hybrid powertrain will go into production in Japan this fall; we may hear more about the e-Outback within that time frame.

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