Home / Subaru News, Pricing and Reviews
2023 Subaru Crosstrek, specs, features, pricing
Denis Flierl's picture
By Denis Flierl Dec 31 2021 - 12:16pm

A New 1.5L Turbocharged Subaru Crosstrek Is Now On The Drawing Board

A new report says Subaru is bringing a new turbocharged engine to the 2023 Crosstrek and Impreza. Will customers in the U.S. get the new fuel-efficient engine?
Advertisement

Crosstrek Sport
Subaru Crosstrek Sport
2021 Crosstrek
2021 Subaru Crosstrek

According to a new report from the Japan website CarSensor, a new 1.5-liter turbocharged engine is under development for the next-generation 2023 Subaru Crosstrek subcompact SUV and 2023 Impreza sedan and hatchback.

The report says Subaru will drop the current naturally aspirated 2.0-liter Boxer engine currently powering the Crosstrek base, Premium, Hybrid trim levels, and all Impreza models, and replace it with the new smaller 1.5-liter turbocharged engine. An earlier report said it would produce 148 horsepower, close to 152 horsepower of the current 2.0-liter engine.

2023 Subaru Crosstrek, specs, features, pricing
photo credit: CarSensor

Subaru is expected to keep the 2.5-liter naturally-aspirated Boxer engine in the 2023 Subaru Crosstrek Sport and Limited trims.

In addition to the Crosstrek and Impreza 1.5-liter turbocharged engine, the Japanese automaker could use the more fuel-efficient engine combined with a new hybrid powertrain developed with Toyota.

2023 Subaru Crosstrek, specs, features, pricing

With the new fuel-efficiency standards adopted by the Biden administration, in addition to the all-new 2023 Solterra all-electric SUV, Subaru will need to have more fuel-efficient hybrid models in its lineup. The 1.5-liter turbocharged engine could replace the current 2022 Crosstrek 2.0-liter plug-in hybrid.

Last year, Subaru Report revealed CarSensor said Subaru Corporation was also working on another turbocharged engine to be introduced sometime in the near future. The FA18 1.8-liter direct-injection turbocharged Boxer engine was recently introduced in the second-generation 2022 Levorg hatchback. The sport wagon is only sold in Japan, parts of Asia, Europe, and Australia.

The all-new 1.5-liter turbocharged engine will feature the latest direct-injection technology that will improve fuel efficiency, which is why Subaru is revamping its engine lineup. Subaru recently introduced the FA24 2.4-liter turbocharged engine in the Ascent 3-Row SUV, Outback midsize SUV, and 2022 WRX performance sedan.

The report says Subaru Corporation is upgrading 80 percent of its global production with the smaller direct-injection turbocharged Boxer engines by 2023. The new 1.5-liter turbocharged Boxer is expected to be announced next year.

Subaru has not confirmed this information, but it fits what the Japanese automaker spelled out in its Vision 2020 plan. They said they would develop smaller turbocharged engines for its all-wheel-drive lineup.

2023 Subaru Crosstrek, specs, features, pricing

The CarSensor report also says Subaru will drop the XV nameplate for the subcompact SUV as it’s called in other global markets and use the Crosstrek name globally to unify the car name worldwide, including Japan.

When will the 2023 Subaru Crosstrek be available in the U.S.?

The report from CarSensor says Subaru will upgrade the next-generation 2023 Crosstrek and Impreza models with the new 1.5-liter direct-injection turbocharged engine with the remodel. The 2023 Subaru Crosstrek will make its global launch first in early 2023. An all-new Crosstrek Wilderness trim level is expected to arrive in the U.S. in the spring of 2023.

Will customers in the U.S. see the new 1.5-liter turbocharged engine?

We know Subaru offers its customers in Japan, Australia, and Europe different engine options than in the U.S. market. Subaru is expected to drop the 2.0-liter naturally aspirated engine, but it’s unclear if Crosstrek models in North America will get the new 1.5-liter turbocharged engine.

In the comments below, let Subaru of America know if you would buy the new 2023 Crosstrek with a more fuel-efficient 1.5-liter turbocharged engine or prefer the more powerful 2.5-liter naturally-aspirated Boxer in all Crosstrek trim levels.

You Might Also Like: Why You Shouldn't Buy The New Subaru Crosstrek And Wait Until Next Year

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.

Subaru Report - We’ve got you covered! Check back tomorrow for more unique, informative SUBARU news, reviews, and previews you can trust.

Leave your comments below, share the article with friends and tweet it out to your followers!

Photo credit: Subaru

Automotive News
Subaru News, Pricing and Reviews
Subaru Crosstrek News

Subscribe to Torque News on YouTube.
Follow Torque News on YouTube, Twitter and Facebook.

Comments

mourad aziri wrote on December 31, 2021 - 12:53pm
this won't be a surprise giving that is the trend in general on the automotive industry with more and more automaker dumping V8 for smaller turbucharched engine ! subaru plans to introduce their 'strong hybrid' models by 2023 so won't be surprising to see an impreza and crosstrek with hybrid and plug in hybrid options on 2023 ... I think the new engines (1.8L and 1.5L) will make it the the north american shores without debt , it is only a matter of time and likely will be combined with electric motors from toyota ! I personally love the smaller engines with low carbon footprint Idea !
Wes Stearns wrote on December 31, 2021 - 2:37pm
Now have 2021 Crosstreck - after both Rav 4 and CRV. No comparison Crosstreck far superior to both. Will trade for new 2023 as soon as available. Would prefer new 1.5 liter turbo if available. Thank you
Gregory Iverson wrote on January 1, 2022 - 6:55am
"In the comments below, let Subaru of America know if you would buy the new 2023 Crosstrek with a more fuel-efficient 1.5-liter turbocharged engine or prefer the more powerful 2.5-liter naturally-aspirated Boxer in all Crosstrek trim levels." Prefer the 2.5, for sure...but would immediately snap up a Forester with the 2.4 turbo.
Malcolm wrote on January 20, 2023 - 10:05pm
I currently have a Forrester 2014 touring 2.0 XT and I love it. I love the power and the acceleration, I am patiently waiting for Subaru to come out with an upgraded turbo for the Forester. I would immediately snap up a 2.4L turbo Forester. But if they put a turbo charged engine with more horsepower in the Crosstrek, I would get that too.
Melvin Hurt wrote on January 1, 2022 - 8:19am
Hello I'm Melvin Hurt from Long Island NY. I own a 2018 orange Crosstrek and I love it. This is my second Crosstrek in a row. I owned a 2000 Outback sedan years ago which made me fall in love with the Subaru brand. There are quirks with all cars but the few that I tolerate with my Crosstrek are minimal, because, for me, the reliability is what keeps me coming back to Subaru. Whatever engine Subaru puts into any of it's cars is ok with me, as I know there are regulations that demand more efficient engines. Just keep making great cars.
TERRY HERTWIG wrote on January 1, 2022 - 10:55am
2 liter turbo charged is better 150 hp is not near enough. Do it right , lift it a bit widen the stance beefier tire package. Tweak the interior to look elequent
Mark wrote on January 1, 2022 - 11:27am
I think that they are on the right track. As for the 2.5 liter NA while it is a great engine a smaller, well designed 1.8 liter turbo could be a real step up in power and efficiency. While some do not care for the increased complexity of a turbo, I feel that they have really sorted out the design and we can be confident of a long lived engine.
Mark wrote on January 1, 2022 - 12:00pm
2.5L thumbs up, don't like to get stuck, maybe add a low gear to transmission.
Matt wrote on January 1, 2022 - 12:30pm
I much prefer the extra low down torque that turbos provide. Much more useful for crunching through snow covered roads that are common where I live. So I’d prefer the turbo be an option for the limited. Apart from the extra torque I also want need that heated steering wheel!
Roma wrote on January 1, 2022 - 2:36pm
Yes I currently driving a Crosstrek and definitely will buy a new model with a 1.5 litre engine
Clussy wrote on January 1, 2022 - 6:54pm
1.5L Turbo-4-cylinder but only 148 HP?!?!! Torque better be 200+ lb*ft like what Honda offers.
Joe wrote on January 1, 2022 - 4:32pm
The new Levorg uses a CB18 and it’s not available in Europe
Pain and gain wrote on January 1, 2022 - 8:40pm
I have a 2020 and it's a absolutel dog with the 2.0 They need a turbo 2.5 not and 1.5 making less horsepower than the 2.0 I'll be buying a V8 truck, biden and his electric is the stupidest idea for America.
Mark wrote on January 2, 2022 - 1:04am
Your ignorant political views have zero to do with Subaru's choice to develop turbo engines. It is global market demands for better economy and lower emissions that are driving automakers to smaller turbo engines. The history of automotive development has been that BECAUSE of emissions and fuel economy regulations we now enjoy performance and economy that we could not even imagine in the '70s and '80s. EVs are NOT being mandated but are being incentivized. THAT is creating innovation and jobs. Cars did not replace horses overnight and EVs will not replace ICE overnight. However, when it came people still owned horses and the same will be true of EVs. Except we will have more jobs if we do it right. If we do it wrong, EVs will still be the majority vehicle but the cars will be made in China and the Chinese will own the industry.
Don Beaver wrote on January 2, 2022 - 4:36am
Drop the WRX power train in the Crosstrek. Offer it with the manual transmission and I'll be the first in a very long line to buy one.
Jerry wrote on January 2, 2022 - 11:07am
Depending on the price differential I would likely choose the 2.5 over the 1.5 turbo which I do not believe will have sufficient power. Now, were Subaru to use the 1.8 turbo which might be powerful enough for the US market, I would be greatly interested, particularly if the manual transmission is offered again.
Jerry wrote on January 2, 2022 - 11:10am
Depending on the price differential I would likely choose the 2.5 over the 1.5 turbo which I do not believe will have sufficient power. Now, were Subaru to use the 1.8 turbo which might be powerful enough for the US market, I would be greatly interested, particularly if the manual transmission is offered again.
Kevin wrote on January 5, 2022 - 8:08pm
They should put the 1.8 Turbo in the Crosstrek. They would not have to offer the 2.5 or the 1.5 Turbo. In the Colorado market, a powerful turbo engine is needed for high altitude driving. Keep the 6MT as option as well. The hp of the 1.8 T is similar to the 2.5 NA motor but the torque is much higher in the 1.8. It would simplify things greatly. No one wants an underpowered vehicle.
Nicholas Roy wrote on January 8, 2022 - 2:34pm
I totally agree with you. I own a 2013 Crosstrek with a 5speed MT, but was pissed off when they put the 2.5 with only a CVT. I Would definitly buy a 1.8 L or even a 2.5 if only they would put a MT in it.
Nick Dills wrote on January 7, 2022 - 9:11pm
I want the 3.6L in the Crosstrek. I would definitely take it.
Robert wrote on January 7, 2022 - 9:51pm
Dear Subaru, Please drop the WRX motor in the Crosstrek 2023. More wattage in the engine compartment... America doesn't need another lame & slow Crosstrek... Heck The Soul ! has 201 hp !!!!
Nicholas Roy wrote on January 8, 2022 - 2:27pm
I already own a 2013 crosstrek with a 2.0 ans i like it. The only downside to it is a Little lack of Power wich is compensated by the use of a 5 speed manual. I live in the city, but i also like to escape in the wild on a regular basis. The Crosstrek has been perfect for this for 8 years now due to it's small size, and offroad capacity. Plus, living in Montréal, i can tell you that its winter qualities are over the top. Even better than those of the 4X4 Ranger that i previously owned. I just hope that un the futur they add a manual on the 2.5, or at least that they keep it on the smaller engine. If they do, i Will definetly buy another one un a year or two.
JAMiller wrote on January 16, 2022 - 3:28am
Small displacement turbo engines (e.g. 1.5l or 1.8l turbo engines) do not hold up well over the long-term and tend to have a lot of issues compared to NA (naturally aspirated) engines. Anyone who keeps their vehicles more than 3-5 years would be wise to pass on small turbo engines. Give me a 2.5l NA any time. If Subaru chooses only to offer small displacement turbo engines, I will no longer be purchasing a Subaru.
CER wrote on February 18, 2022 - 12:29pm
I’ve owned a legacy SE and an Outback. I’ve got an onyx Ascent and a crosstrek sport on order. Wouldn’t want a smaller less powerful turbo when a NA larger engine is available. The KISS principle over the long run will be cheaper and easier to live with. For those of you who don’t think I’m into performance my first car was a GTO I’ve owned vettes including Z06. A six speed option for the sport would have been nice and I would run away from a 200 Hp Sport.
Juergen W wrote on April 22, 2022 - 11:56pm
I would go with the 1.5 L Turbo. Not even close.
AP wrote on November 3, 2022 - 1:01am
Any progress regarding this 1.5T + hybrid engine?