2026 Subaru Levorg to go hybrid

The third-generation Subaru Levorg could follow the latest Forester and Crosstrek SUVs down the electrification path with the ‘Strong Hybrid’ system.

According to Best Car, the third generation will be the biggest evolution of Subaru’s sporty wagon – known in Australia as the WRX Sportswagon – yet, and is due to be released (in Japan) in spring next year.

The outlet speculates the familiar 1.8-litre and 2.4-litre turbo-petrol boxer engines will be retained and sit on either side of the non-turbo 2.5-litre Strong Hybrid, gifting consumers the choice of three different powertrains to suit their needs.

Word is the hot 2.4 will be released later to help the hybrid gain some sales traction alongside the entry-level ‘lean-burn’ engine.

The base donk outputs 130kW/300Nm whereas the Strong Hybrid generates a combined 146kW under the bonnet of the new Forester, though a combined torque figure is absent.

The WRX-sourced 2.4-litre turbo meantime huffs out 202kW/350Nm, though Japanese and North American versions are good for a meatier 375Nm.

All units are paired with continuously variable transmissions (CVTs) and drive all four wheels symmetrically using mechanical hardware as opposed to an on-demand or software-based set-up.

It’s way too early for Subaru Australia to divulge any details, but it will be interesting to see if the Levorg continues on as the ‘WRX Sportswagon’ in its next generation or reverts to its birthname in our market – it likely all depends on if the brand fancies offering a sub-150kW, let alone sub-200kW, hybrid in its halo performance icon.

Of course, there’s every chance the model will just continue on here with the big boy engine and skip the hybrid al together, but that could prove costly as the New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES) cranks up.

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