Why It’s The Right Time For An All-New Subaru Crosstrek Sport

The 2020 Subaru Crosstrek is the brand’s sportiest SUV and customers would buy a new Subaru Crosstrek Sport model. Subaru has historically produced sporty versions of their most popular models and Subaru needs to get back to what makes them unique. The Forester has a Sport trim, and Outback now has the sportier XT 2.4-liter turbocharged model. It’s now the right time for Subaru to bring a Crosstrek Sport for customers.

One year ago at the Chicago Auto Show, Subaru of America President and CEO Tom Doll told Motor Trend, customers wouldn’t see a sportier Crosstrek turbocharged model because demand for the new-generation Crosstrek subcompact SUV was high and selling too well.

2020 Subaru Crosstrek needs a new Sport trim

Doll said, “You could argue, and some people do, that for the Crosstrek we should have a higher-performance engine in that car, but on the other hand, we're selling as many as we can get. We haven't really hit the top with the Crosstrek yet.”

Demand has now softened for the second-generation Crosstrek as it’s seen a drop in sales for three straight months. The last month the model was up in sales was October 2019. Crosstrek was down in November 2019 (-2.30%), December (-10.2%), and January 2020 (-1.30%). Three months is now a trend, and the subcompact SUV finished last year down -9.2 percent.

Customers with active lifestyles would buy the new Sport model

With sales slowing, it’s now the right time for Subaru to bring a Crosstrek Sport trim for customers. Even though fans want one, you probably won’t see a 2.0-liter turbocharged engine under the hood, but Subaru could bring a Sport trim like Forester with a new Orange color scheme on the outside with special exterior treatments, interior upgrades with dark gray sport fabric, push-button start, a heated steering wheel, and the new Dual-function X-Mode.

Like Forester, the Crosstrek Sport could be optioned with equipment like a power rear gate with height memory functions, Harman Kardon 576-watt premium audio sound, and a new 8.0-inch touchscreen.

A new Crosstrek Sport would add new excitement to the subcompact SUV and customers with active lifestyles would buy it. It’s the right time for Subaru to bring a new 2021 Subaru Crosstrek Sport trim.

Reader Poll: Tell us what you think about Subaru bringing a new Crosstrek Sport trim. Thumbs up or thumbs down?

You Might Also Like: Why You Should Choose A New Subaru Crosstrek, Forester Or WRX And Not Buy Used

Denis Flierl has invested over 30 years in the automotive industry in a variety of roles. All of his reports are archived on our Subaru page. Follow Denis on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Subaru Report. Check back tomorrow for more Subaru news and updates at Torque News!

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

Photo credit: Subaru Bend, Team MazdaSubaru