A hybrid Subaru “Rex”? No, not the WRX – but Subaru Australia’s boss has left the door open for an affordable hybrid crossover to join the range if the business model makes sense.
“We are constantly reviewing our model range and how we can best offer Subaru options to more Australians. When we bring models to market, they must be suitable for the market and for Australian consumers, and we must also have permission to operate in this territory,” Subaru Australia general manager Scott Lawrence said.
“So it’s not a no, but at the moment we have no concrete plans to import the Rex from Japan.”
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But what is a Subaru Rex? Not to be confused with the colloquial name for the WRX sports sedan, the Rex is an affordable subcompact – or “light” – SUV that Subaru sells in the Japanese domestic market.
The Subaru Rex is effectively a rebadged Daihatsu Rocky, also sold as the Toyota Raize in and outside of Japan. It offers three-cylinder petrol and petrol-electric hybrid engines, with petrol-only models also offering the option of all-wheel drive.
The base 1.2-litre three-cylinder petrol engine develops 72kW of power and 140Nm of torque and sends drive to either the front wheels or all four wheels via a CVT automatic. while the “e-Smart Hybrid” claims a system output of 78 kW/170 Nm and only drives the front wheels.
WLTC economy figures are quoted at 20.7km/l (4.8L/100km) for the petrol and a very economical 28.0km/L (3.5L/100km) for the Rex Hybrid, which could make it one of the most fuel efficient non-plug-in vehicles in Australia.
At 3995mm long, 1695mm wide and 1620mm high, the Rex is as long as a Suzuki Fronx but slightly thinner in width, making it a very compact SUV indeed. It is even noticeably smaller than the Toyota Yaris Cross (4180 x 1765 mm x 1590 mm).
Prices in the Japanese domestic market start at 1,910,700 yen (A$17,631) for the petrol engine, with the cheapest Rex Hybrid starting at 2,216,500 yen (A$20,453).
While the Rex could become one of Australia’s cheapest SUVs if it hypothetically made it Down Under, hurdles would include investments in homologation under the strict Australian Design Rules (ADRs) as well as the likelihood of a low ANCAP safety rating.
Cheap compact vehicles are generally not subject to the same safety requirements in Japan as larger vehicles designed for export to markets such as Australia and Europe, which can pose a challenge for automakers such as Subaru, which are known for generally achieving a five-star ANCAP rating.
However, vehicles like the Rex represent an opportunity for long-established manufacturers to return to the affordable entry-level segment of the Australian new car market.
Apart from Hyundai, Kia and the Chinese brands, very few car brands in Australia currently offer new vehicles priced under $30,000.
Key competitors for the Rex in Australia would be budget crossovers such as the Chery Tiggo 4 (from $23,990 D/A), MG ZS (from $22,990 D/A) and Hyundai Venue (from $23,750).
The cheapest new vehicle in Subaru’s current range is the Impreza hatchback, which starts at $33,490 plus on-road costs.
Let us know in the comments if you would like to see the Subaru Rex in Australia!
MORE: Explore the Subaru showroom
