Subaru might be planning a comeback in the small car game, with a new, budget-friendly electric hatchback inspired by the recent success of the Renault 5 EV.
Right now, Subaru’s electric line-up in Europe includes the updated Solterra SUV, the new Uncharted SUV, and the E-Outback crossover. But none of these are exactly entry-level and that’s where this new model could come in.
The brand hasn’t sold a small B-segment car in the UK since the Justy, which was around from 1987 to 2009. Now, though, there’s growing interest in smaller EVs, especially after the Renault 5 racked up 30,000 sales in Europe since launching earlier this year.
Subaru’s global EV boss, Inoue Masahiko, told Autocar that the brand is seriously considering a smaller EV to sit below the Uncharted in the range.
“It’s something that is up for consideration, because we need to prepare a wider range of BEVs to meet every customer’s expectations.”
Subaru has a strong partnership with Toyota. The Solterra is basically a twin to the Toyota bZ4X, and the Uncharted shares a platform with the new Toyota C-HR+. So if a new small EV does happen, there’s a good chance it’ll be a joint project with Toyota. It might even be the long-rumoured electric Yaris reboot.
Timing-wise, nothing’s set in stone, but a launch closer to the end of the decade would make sense. Toyota has said an electric Yaris is the plan, just “not quite now.”
Meanwhile, Subaru Europe boss David Dello Stritto said there’s definitely a case for an electric supermini, especially with rivals like the Renault 5, VW ID.2, Cupra Raval, and a possible MG 2 due by 2028.
But Subaru’s in no rush.
Subaru "want to wait and see how the Uncharted does first,” Dello Stritto said. “I reckon we need about two years to find out how it's performing."
“We might have come up with new ideas during that period, so in two years' time we can talk again.”
