More Power Coming to Tepid Subaru Crosstrek

Turning the five-door Impreza into the lifted Crosstrek was a brilliant bit of strategy for Subaru. Sales of the jacked compact soared following its late-2012 release, rising year after year until 2018, where it managed 144,384 U.S. sales.

While the model slipped last year, Subaru is not content to leave things be. Later this year, the automaker will answer a long-standing cry from Subaru loyalists and endow the Crosstrek with moar power.

Indeed, power was one of the Crosstrek’s most significant drawbacks. Decently potent for grocery-getting duties, the 2.0-liter Boxer four-cylinder felt sluggish under hard acceleration or when tasked with navigating deep snow. The model’s continuously variable transmission didn’t help that sensation.

You author found the current-generation Crosstrek to be a fun and capable partner in the deep stuff, but the experience was marred with the curious feeling that, somewhere beneath the hood, a rubber band was about to snap. With 152 horsepower and 145 lb-ft of torque on hand, the Crosstrek is no stump puller.

This year, Subaru plans to solve the problem once and for all. Speaking at last week’s NADA dealer bonanza in Las Vegas, Subaru of America CEO Tom Doll said displacement is on the way.

“One of the things that our customers were telling us about the Crosstrek was it was maybe a little underpowered with the 2.0-liter engine,” Doll said, as reported by Automotive News. “Well, the 2.5-liter engine will solve that problem.”

Great news for Crosstrek lovers, but a potential tease for low-end Crosstrek buyers. Doll said the familiar 2.5-liter will find a home in the Limited model. Making 182 hp and 176 lb-ft, the naturally aspirated four-banger will undoubtedly deliver more muscle to the Crosstrek experience, but will do so at a cost. A 2020 Crosstrek Limited starts at $28,405 after destination. A base model goes for $23,155.

It’s not the largest price gap, but it will be enough to keep some buyers away, though not necessarily from the Crosstrek itself. Indeed, the uplevel Crosstrek stands to gain potential buyers from the engine swap. There’s still hope for cheapskates, however, as Doll also announced a new Sport version carrying the same 2.5L. Where exactly that trim will fit in the Crosstrek price ladder remains to be seen, but it will surely undercut the Limited.

Redesigned for 2018, the Crosstrek’s U.S. sales peaked that same year, with sales falling 9.2 percent in 2019. Juicing the model’s appeal with more power could return the model to shopping lists.

[Image: Subaru]