Subaru is contemplating the development of electric minivans, such as the Renault 5-style vehicles.
Subaru Plans to Enter Small, Affordable Electric Vehicle Market
Subaru is set to diversify its electric vehicle (EV) lineup with the development of a smaller and more affordable electric car. This move is inspired by the growing demand for compact, stylish EVs in Europe, such as the Renault 5.
The potential small EV is expected to emerge from Subaru's ongoing partnership with Toyota, as all of Subaru’s current electric vehicles—including the Solterra and the upcoming 2026 Subaru Uncharted—have been co-developed with Toyota.
Currently, Subaru's electric vehicle lineup includes:
- Solterra: A midsize electric SUV with AWD, 215 hp, and a range of 227 miles.
- Uncharted (2026 model): An all-electric compact crossover with sporty performance, up to 338 hp, over 300 miles of range, fast charging, and AWD.
With these vehicles, Subaru has focused on larger electric crossovers. However, the new affordable small EV would target a market niche where European models have seen strong sales, signaling a strategic shift towards wider battery electric vehicle (BEV) offerings.
As of mid-2025, Subaru has not yet formally launched this new small compact affordable EV. The company is actively exploring this new direction, with Toyota partnership continuing to be key to its EV strategy.
No specific timeline for the release of the small electric car has been provided, but it could be pushed forward after the E-Outback, which is scheduled for the first quarter of next year. Toyota's product chief, Andrea Carlucci, previously revealed to Autocar that an electric Yaris "is the idea," but it is not yet far in development. A market launch towards the end of the decade seems reasonable for Subaru's new electric compact car.
Before considering a small electric car, Subaru will wait to see how the Uncharted performs in the market. A potential two-year wait is possible. Subaru has also announced three new battery-electric vehicles for the European market: the revised Solterra, the new Uncharted, and the E-Outback.
| Aspect | Details | |----------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------| | New EV focus | Very small, affordable electric car | | Market inspiration | Popularity of small EVs in Europe (e.g., Renault 5) | | Existing Subaru EVs | Solterra (midsize EV SUV), 2026 Uncharted (compact EV SUV) | | Partner | Toyota (long-standing partner and co-developer) | | Development timeline | Under consideration as of mid-2025, no official launch date yet |
- Subaru's strategy in the electric vehicle market is embarking on the development of a compact, affordable electric car, following the success of small EVs in Europe.
- The ongoing partnership between Subaru and Toyota is crucial for the creation of Subaru's new affordable, small electric vehicle, as all current electric vehicles from Subaru, including the Solterra and the 2026 Uncharted, are co-developed with Toyota.
- In contrast to the larger electric crossovers in its existing lineup, this new vehicle aims to capture a market niche whereby European models have recorded strong sales, signifying a shift towards a wider battery electric vehicle (BEV) portfolio.
- The release date for the small, affordable electric car has not been announced, but it may follow the introduction of the E-Outback, while the company waits for market response to the Uncharted before making further commitments, suggesting a likely release towards the end of the decade.
