Why Subaru Didn’t Give The New Crosstrek SUV A Turbo Like Mazda CX-30

The 2021 Subaru Crosstrek has a bigger 2.5-liter engine with more power, but why didn't Subaru give the new SUV a turbocharged engine?

The 2021 Subaru Crosstrek Sport and Limited trims get a new 2.5-liter engine with 30 more horsepower and improved fuel-efficiency than its 2.0-liter engine, but was it enough? Why does Subaru offer two engines, and why didn't they give the newly-redesigned Crosstrek a turbocharged engine?

A report from Car and Driver criticizes the compact SUV because it still doesn't have enough power and says its new engine makes the 2021 Crosstrek "only marginally more satisfying as a small crossover."

Photo credit: Competition Subaru

It's hard to argue because the new Mazda CX-30 receives a new 2.5-liter engine, but it's turbocharged. The Mazda CX-30 2.5 turbocharged inline-four-cylinder model develops 250 horsepower and 320 lb-ft of torque with 93 octane fuel and 227 horsepower and 310 lb-ft with 87 octane fuel.

That's significantly more than the Crosstrek's 2.5-liter horizontally-opposed four-cylinder Boxer that produces 182 horsepower and 176 pound-feet of torque. Why didn't Subaru bring the 2021 Crosstrek with a 2.4-liter turbocharged engine like the Ascent, Outback, and Legacy?

Photo credit: Competition Subaru

According to a report from sources in Japan, Subaru is developing a new 1.5-liter direct-injection turbocharged Boxer engine that will replace the naturally-aspirated 2.0-liter Boxer that currently powers the base and Premium Crosstrek trims. The report says it will also power the Impreza sedan and hatchback models.

Subaru Corporation is upgrading all its models with the smaller direct-injection turbocharged Boxer engines. As the global shift is toward electric vehicles, Subaru is downsizing its engines for fuel efficiency, not more power. Subaru will likely bring a turbocharged engine in Crosstrek models in 2023 with the new-generation model change.

Subaru just upgraded the 2021 Crosstrek with the 2.5-liter naturally-aspirated engine, so they will most likely keep the engine an option in the Sport and Limited trims. The Base, Premium, and Hybrid trims would get the new 1.5-liter turbocharged powerplant.

The report says the 1.5-liter Boxer will produce more power (152-hp) than the 2.0-liter engine's 148 horsepower. And it will also be more fuel-efficient than the outgoing naturally-aspirated 2.0-liter Boxer powerplant.

It's hard to argue with Subaru's plan because the 2021 Crosstrek sells as fast as retailers can get them. When the November sales report comes out today, look for the Crosstrek to have record numbers again. Stay tuned.

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Denis Flierl has invested over 30 years in the automotive industry in a consulting role working with every major car brand. He is an accredited member of the Rocky Mountain Automotive Press. Check out Subaru Report where he covers all of the Japanese automaker's models. More stories can be found on the Torque News Subaru page. Follow Denis on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

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Photo credit: Competition Subaru