Nope. 1.8L Turbo is not
Nope. 1.8L Turbo is not enough power for the Forester or the Outback. Maybe Crosstrek. Definitely suitable for the Impreza. I live in New England and have owned Subs since the original Brat. Does Subaru imagine it’s customers driving around in the city in exciting crossovers? That’s funny. A 3500lb+ vehicle needs the 175hp 200ftlbs+ torque in a non CVT transmission to tow and go. My 2006 Forester Premium never felt anemic with NA 2.5L Boxer getting 21mpg city. The 3.6R Outback Limited with 265hp+ tows and goes at 4500lbs+ loaded at 24mpg city. Why would you want a 1.8L turbo with more required maintenance a measly 24mpg? Adding insult to injury CVTs lay down power with low RPMs which make the engine mapping more anemic and a likely high turbo revs adding noise and more fuel consumption to make the 1.8L look good on paper. My advice to Subaru: switch to turbo diesel next year, OR build a 2.3L timing chain DI engine with more cam geometry and a higher dynamic compression. Flow the exhaust and intake using fluid dynamics to optimize efficiency. Possibly entertain a water or hydrogen injection system to lower the intake charge temps and milk more HP with less fuel. All current and not unobtainable tech that will be truly save fossil fuels versus the lower hotter higher revving maintenance hungry pygmy they plan to use now.