More Power Coming to Tepid Subaru Crosstrek

Steph Willems
by Steph Willems

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]

Steph Willems
Steph Willems

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  • Gtem Gtem on Feb 27, 2020

    Everyone used to complain about the mediocre MPG Subarus got, so they went ahead and downsized their motors (on the Impreza line) and neutered their AWD system. I miss the older Outback Sports with the 2.5L NA motor. Very satisfying car to drive on a back road with a stick shift, my family looked at them in 2006 ("bug eye" years).

  • Schmitt trigger Schmitt trigger on Feb 27, 2020

    Ok, I stand corrected about the BSoDs. I must be one lucky guy, I haven't experienced them in a while. But I believe that my basic argument still applies: Developing a reliable complex software architecture, being used in thousands of different ways by thousands of different users, is a skill set that automotive companies have yet to master.

  • Analoggrotto Kia EV9 was voted the best vehicle in the world and this is the best TOYOTA can do? Nice try, next.
  • 3-On-The-Tree 4cyl as well.
  • Luke42 I want more information about Ford’s Project T3.The Silverado EV needs some competition beyond just the Rivian truck. The Cybertruck has missed the mark.The Cybertruck is special in that it’s the first time Tesla has introduced an uncompetitive EV. I hope the company learns from their mistakes. While Tesla is learning what they did wrong, I’ll be shopping to replace my GMC Sierra Hybrid with a Chevy, a Ford, or a Rivian — all while happily driving my Model Y.
  • 3-On-The-Tree I wished they wouldn’t go to the twin turbo V6. That’s why I bought a 2021 Tundra V8.
  • Oberkanone My grid hurts!Good luck with installing charger locations at leased locations with aging infrastructure. Perhaps USPS would have better start modernizing it's Post offices to meet future needs. Of course, USPS has no money for anything.
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