Although Subaru has launched the new Crosstrek in the United States with the choice of either a 2.0-litre or 2.5-litre flat-four engine, in Australia the smaller unit is the sole available spec.
But Subaru Australia’s managing director, Blair Read, told Chasing Cars that the 2.5-litre engine could be an option in the future.
“I think we have stuck with the tried and true recipe that worked with XV in terms of the platform, the engine and transmission style.
The Subaru Crosstrek for Australia might one day get a bigger engine
“It’s (the 2.5) not an immediate option that will come to market but it could be something that comes in the future,” Read said.
Lengthy gap between US market launch and Australian launch
Subaru found itself in a similar situation when it launched the 2.4-litre turbocharged Outback XT models in the US in 2020. It took three years, but that engine, originally only reserved for North America, did finally come to Australian shores recently this year.
A 2.5-litre engine is available for the Crosstrek in the US
It’s possible that the larger naturally aspirated 2.5-litre engine could debut in Australia at a similar time to when the Wilderness Crosstrek is launched locally – but this may not happen until late in 2024 or into 2025.
The N/A 2.5-litre engine for the US market Crosstrek has outputs of 135kW/241Nm, a decent boost over the Australian-market Crosstrek’s 2.0-litre engine with 115kW/196Nm.
Could Subaru Australia eventually fit a more pokier 2.5-litre FB25 boxer engine into the Crosstrek? Only time will tell.