Direct injection coming to Crosstrek?

[reachforbeejal]

I see that the 2017 subaru impreza will have an updated 2.0 Liter flat four featuring direct injection.  Power at max reported to increase from 148 hp to 152 hp - not sure about max torque and the RPMs at which these are achieved.  Also expecting modest fuel economy gains, though I didn't see official numbers.

 

Anywho, I've got a crush on the Crosstrek, considering to buy.  Wondering what the 2017 model will offer in terms of updates.  Do you think the Impreza's new engine will be installed in the Crosstrek next year too?  Or will we have to wait until 2018?

[ezapar]

I'm pretty sure the body style will stay the same until 2018.  I've read a little about the motor changing some, but like you, I'm not so impressed with 4 hp.  lol

[reachforbeejal]

Thanks ezapar!  Yeah, offhand the 4 hp gain is pretty small (I'll take it though).  Of course, we don't know torque numbers or rpm breakpoints at which max hp / torque are achieved, which would tell more of the story about the next generation FB20 engine.

Still, if that newer engine could make it into the 2017 Crosstrek, along with a few other updates, then I'd be more willing to buy the 2017 instead of waiting for 2018.

[idosubaru]

 then I'd be more willing to buy the 2017 instead of waiting for 2018.

You're in LA - a huge market, is it a good subaru market?  do both?  get a 2017 early and then a 2018 late in favorable circumstances and maybe it wouldn't be much of a hit, get in it sooner without thinking about it and get an extra year+ warranty out of it? 

[reachforbeejal]

Louisiana's an OK market for Subaru, but nothing special.  I see decent numbers of Imprezas and Foresters, but the Crosstrek has had a nice run here, it seems.  I might consider the above if the resale on Crosstrek's is excellent and I get 0% APR financing while I wait for the 2018.  Also if there are enough updates to the Crosstrek (like Direct Injection and updated CVT) in 2017 I might bite... Though now that I think of it, I'll be in an end of cycle model (2017) vs. a start of cycle model (2018) for the first time in a looooong-time.  XD  But hey, the end of cycle model should have even better reliability and the kinks ironed out, right?

 

I'm close to being in the market for a new vehicle, not so much for myself, more to give my current vehicle (2012 Ford Focus hatch) to my Dad.  He's planning to retire his car around the end of the year, though it's still operational and he might squeeze another year out of it - but my vehicle is in much better shape and I want him to keep something more modern than his 2002 Mitsubishi Galant.

Edited July 20, 2016 by reachforbeejal

[ezapar]

Although there are mixed reviews and opinions, I love the CVT.   I am very used to it, it's very predictable.  If it had more hp, I'd want a 5 speed.  But I didn't buy it for power, I bought it for the gas mileage.  And it does great on that.

 

I have possession of another 2016 Subaru that does have more power and is a 6 speed for when I need to get it out of my system.  

 

 

[Flowmastered87GL]

I kinda wonder how the direct injection will go for reliability??  I am trying to get my parents to get a 2016 because at this point its the last of the model year and hopefully should be pretty reliable since they have mostly got the excessive oil use taken care of.  I can't help but wonder if introducing the direct injection will bring on some other issue for people who keep their cars for 20 years.  Will you end up with excessive carbon buildup?  Will the engine eat oil?  Will it run totally awesome??  Too much uncertainty for me to recommend it to my family. (and at this point I won't even recommend eyesight for the long term.... also interested to see how it holds up)