{"id":34380,"date":"2025-04-18T15:39:35","date_gmt":"2025-04-18T19:39:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/?p=34380"},"modified":"2025-04-18T15:39:35","modified_gmt":"2025-04-18T19:39:35","slug":"subaru-shoulders-it-all-at-new-york-auto-show-new-product-ev-rules-tariffs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/index.php\/2025\/04\/subaru-shoulders-it-all-at-new-york-auto-show-new-product-ev-rules-tariffs","title":{"rendered":"Subaru shoulders it all at New York Auto Show: New product, EV rules, tariffs"},"content":{"rendered":"

New York<\/em>\u00a0\u2014 At Subaru Corp.\u2019s 2025 New York International Auto Show stand it\u2019s everything everywhere all at once.<\/p>\n

The all-wheel-drive adventure brand is juggling a display-full of challenges that reflect an auto market whipsawed by consumer tastes, government electric vehicle regulations and import tariffs. Subaru debuted an all-new, sixth-generation model of its iconic Outback station wagon this week boasting its most significant design changes in years as buyers flee cars and flock to SUVs. At the same time, Subaru unveiled two electric SUVs key to satisfy looming, 2026 electric vehicle mandates \u2014 vehicles that Subaru produces in Japan and that may be subject to import tariffs.<\/p>\n

Still bullish on auto shows that many industry brands have fled, Subaru\u2019s lush stand evokes a national park and is at the center of the New York show floor. Live plants, bird sounds, trees, the works.<\/p>\n

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The Subaru display at the 2025 New York Auto Show looks like a national park with its trees, live plants, and bird sounds. The Trailseeker (left) and Solterra EVs are menat to appeal to green custmers – and to meet steep government mandates. Henry Payne, The Detroit News<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Walk through the forest and the 2026 Outback anchors the main stage. It\u2019s been the buzz of media week, and everyone has an opinion about the crossover\u2019s chunky, bold new look.<\/p>\n

Introduced as a station wagon in 1995 to complement the Japanese company\u2019s midsize Legacy sedan, Outback became the face of the brand\u2019s appeal as a rugged, nature-loving, get-away-from-it-all vehicle.<\/p>\n

Its importance to Subaru can\u2019t be understated. The wagon has sold 3 million copies in the United States over 30 years, becoming as synonymous with Subaru as the Miata sportscar is with Mazda.<\/p>\n

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The design of the 2026 Subaru Outback wagon is much boxier to appeal to SUV-hungry customers. Henry Payne, The Detroit News<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

As the U.S. market\u2019s tastes swung to SUVs and station wagons and sedans died off (the Legacy exits U.S. showrooms after this year), Outback evolved with the market to a more off-road focused vehicle that was lifted over eight inches off the ground \u2014 as high as a Jeep Wrangler. It even gained a dirt-kicking Wilderness model armed with another inch of ride height, skid plates, and all-terrain tires.<\/p>\n

The \u201826 model goes all in as an SUV.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Outback is moving on from the Legacy, which is going away,\u201d said Aaron Cole, Subaru communications manager, standing next to the boxier model. \u201cForm follows function and people are asking, for example, how they can fit a dog crate under the rear hatchback.\u201d<\/p>\n

He noted that the Outback\u2019s wagon-like proportions are largely unchanged with the same wheelbase and two more inches of height. Its greenhouse-to-body ratio looks familiar, but its SUV aspirations are undeniable.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Outback has evolved with the customer,\u201d said Cole. \u201cWithout Legacy we are attracting a different customer, and the blockier look appeals to that trend.\u201d<\/p>\n