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Subaru to introduce two e-Boxer hybrids at Geneva

Subaru will be bringing two electrified "e-Boxer" models to the Geneva Motor Show next month, as Autocar reports. While the manufacturer hasn't announced which models these electrified cars will be, it is likely that at least one of them will be the e-Boxer version of the Forester, which Subaru showed at the 2019 Tokyo Auto Salon. Another possible model for the Geneva unveiling can be the Crosstrek's hybrid version, branded XV for the European market. The hybrid Crosstrek is Subaru's first PHEV model, and it uses Toyota's 8.8-kWh battery pack mated to a 2.0-liter boxer engine. Subaru is relatively late to the hybrid game, as some competing Japanese carmakers have had hybrid cars on the market for a long time already, and only in recent years has Subaru put hybrid models for sale outside Japan. But by being able to mate electric power with its trademark boxer engine powertrain, Subaru can remain "on-brand" while still utilizing hybrid technology, instead of going with a regular four cylinder inline engine as is popular with hybrid powertrains. Still, the Japanese market Forester STI e-Boxer only produces a combined 156 horsepower and 187 lb-ft of torque, figures that seem modest compared to a 2.0-liter turbodiesel engine, for example. But with Subaru's diesel exercise just a decade-long, select-market enterprise, and with diesel on the outs these days, hybrid seems a better bet, especially in the North American market. Related Video:

Subaru could have all-electric CUV by 2021

Subaru doesn't exactly have an industry-leading electric vehicle program. It sells the Impreza Sport Hybrid in Japan and the Crosstrek Hybrid in the US. There have been electrified rumors and concept cars, but Subaru has been more content to promote getting out into the environment rather than using your car to help it. But maybe this'll change in 2021. That's when, according to a report in the Nikkan Kogyo Shimbun newspaper in Japan, the automaker will introduce an midsize, all-electric AWD CUV in the US. The EV would be based on the Forester or Outback and use a new global platform. As for where the cells, batteries, or motors would come from, there was no mention. The newspaper cited unnamed sources and all that an on-the-record spokesperson would say is that, "We have yet to decide on any specifics at the moment." Or, as Subaru of America's national manager of product communications, Dominick Infante, told AutoblogGreen, "It's a bit early for us to discuss electric vehicles and PHEVs." There's a good reason for Subaru to be considering going electric, and it's the same one that's pushing the entire industry to zero-emission vehicles: tighter emissions regulations. As much as we want to know everything now, it appears that Subaru is taking the same approach to all-electric vehicles as it did with hybrids. At the New York Auto Show in 2013, Subaru's executive vice president Tom Doll said that, "We at Subaru were not the first to market with a hybrid, but we sure made sure we did it right." If it takes the company until 2021 to release an EV, it had better get it right. Related Video:

2019 Subaru Crosstrek Buying Guide | Specs, safety, and expert reviews

The 2019 Subaru Crosstrek is in its second generation, based on the fifth-generation Impreza platform, and was completely redesigned for the 2018 model year. The popular crossover is Subaru's third-best-selling model after the Outback and the Forester, and it received subtle updates, a more rugged appearance and some new technology for the new model year. Every Crosstrek comes standard with roof rails and alloy wheels with a machined finish and black-painted accents. Those wheels are available in either 17- or 18-inch sizes. The body sits atop a raised suspension that brings ground clearance up to an impressive 8.7 inches over the Impreza's 5.1 inches. Only the Jeep Renegade Trailhawk comes close to matching that clearance in this SUV segment. Three trim levels are offered: 2.0i, 2.0i Premium, and 2.0i Limited. All models can be equipped with an optional CVT. The base and Premium trims can be had with a 6-speed manual transmission. With this buyer's guide, Autoblog aims to help you make an educated decision about whether to buy the 2019 Subaru Crosstrek. We'll include safety and reliability ratings, engine specs, fuel economy ratings and pricing. We'll also summarize what Autoblog's professional reviewers think of the Crosstrek. Is the 2019 Subaru Crosstrek safe? The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration gives the 2019 Crosstrek a five-star overall rating, the highest possible. It gave it four stars for frontal crash protection, five stars for side crashes and four stars in its rollover crash tests. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety hasn't evaluated the 2019 model, but it's virtually identical to the 2018 Crosstrek that was given the best possible rating of Top Safety Pick+. It scores a "Good" (the highest possible rating) in all areas, including the notoriously difficult small offset frontal crash test. It gets a "Superior" for crash avoidance when equipped with the EyeSight driver assist technology, and its optional headlights (when so equipped) give it the highest possible overall rating. We encourage you to visit the NHTSA and IIHS websites to review ratings on the specific vehicle you're researching. Is the 2019 Subaru Crosstrek reliable? Subarus are generally known for their reliability and longevity, and indeed, the company cites IHS Markit data that shows 97 percent of all Subarus sold in the past 10 years are still on the road. For third-party validation, we turn to J.D.