Toyota hybrid tech to feature in Subaru and Mazda SUVs

Subaru and Mazda have partnered with Toyota for the supply of petrol-electric hybrid components.

The latest Subaru Forester mid-size SUV, unveiled last week and due in Australia later in 2024, will include a full-hybrid powertrain in the United States around one year after standard petrol variants launch.

Subaru of America president Jeffrey Walters told Automotive News [↗] that the electrified Forester will utilise a “Toyota-sourced battery [and electric components] joined with a boxer engine”.

The latest partnership between Toyota and Subaru follows the GR86 and BRZ sports cars, BZ4x and Solterra EVs, and the Subaru Crosstrek plug-in hybrid derived from the Toyota Prius Prime’s system.

Toyota and Subaru are also expected to sell three new closely-related EVs between now and 2028, likely as badge-engineered Toyotas like the Solterra.

In Australia, the current Subaru Forester is marketed with an available ‘E-Boxer Hybrid’ powertrain, however, it is a mild-hybrid system that delivers less fuel savings.

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Mazda has also partnered with Toyota to develop a hybrid system for its CX-50 mid-size SUV, following a previous deal for the last-generation Mazda 3 Hybrid in Japan.

Detailed in China this month – and due in North America in 2024 – the CX-50 hybrid receives the RAV4's 2.5-litre non-turbo powertrain, electric motor, CVT automatic transmission, and all-wheel drive.

The all-wheel-drive RAV4 hybrid has a 163kW total system output – compared to 139kW/252Nm for the naturally-aspirated 2.5-litre CX-50 and 186kW/434Nm for the CX-50 2.5-litre turbo.

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Yes okay, but how about CX-50 for Australia?

Unfortunately, the Mazda CX-50 remains off-limits for Australia due to it being produced in the United States and China.

Mazda Australia’s marketing boss Alastair Doak told Wheels the CX-50 is “still on the wish list,” as it is currently limited to “left-hand drive production in Huntsville, [United States]” and China.

However, the third-generation Mazda CX-5 could adopt hybrid technology when it launches around 2025.