Supplied under an OEM arrangement with Daihatsu, the Rex is basically a re-badged Toyota Raize or Daihatsu Rocky. However, it took three years for Subaru to gain access to the hybrid system due to the scandals that have rocked Daihatsu. Thankfully, they’ve now been able to put that past behind them.

The Rex Hybrid is a series hybrid, think Nissan’s e-Power, that pairs a 1.2-liter DOHC 3-cylinder motor with an electric motor. The WA-VEX combustion engine outputs 82 horsepower at 5,600 rpm and 105 Nm from 3,200 to 5,200 rpm. However, this only generates electricity that’s then used to drive the electric motor. With that, tractive effort is provided by the EA1 motor with 106 horsepower (78 kW) and 170 Nm. It also happens to have a single-speed gearbox.

According to Subaru, the Rex Hybrid can go up to 34.8 km/L per JC08 standards or 28 km/L, if you prefer the more conservative WLTC. Either way, its efficiency is so good, it doesn’t need a large fuel tank. Compared to the combustion engine version, it gives up three liters (33 liters). Regardless, it could theoretically hit 924 kilometers before refueling.

The 4.3 Ah lithium-ion battery while modestly-sized, can also act as an emergency power generator outputting up to 1,500 watts. Compared to the combustion engine Rex, the Rex Hybrid has a single pedal driving mode (Smart Pedal or S-PDL) as well as a unique gauge cluster scored from Daihatsu called Active Multi-Information Meter.

While the Rex is a Japan-exclusive model for Subaru, it hints at what the Raize or even its platform mates, the Avanza, Veloz, and even Vios could get if Toyota or its OE partner, Daihatsu, does decide to roll it out for the ASEAN region and the Philippines.