2021 Subaru XV revealed in US with bigger engine, but no plans for Australia

Subaru has given us a glimpse of what we could expect in the facelifted 2021 Subaru XV.

The US-spec version of the Subaru XV – known in America as the Crosstrek – was announced this week with an optional 2.5-litre boxer engine.

It's the same found locally in the Subaru Forester 2.5i, producing 136kW and 239Nm. As with the Forester, the 2.5-litre is only available in the Crosstrek with the CVT transmission.

The larger engine joins the 115kW 2.0-litre four-cylinder that is currently available in the XV both in the US and here in Australia.

A spokesperson for Subaru has told CarAdvice there are no plans for the 2.5-litre motor to be offered in the XV locally, leaving the existing 2.0-litre engine as its main offering. (It's a mill we've found underwhelming on review.)

Australia's XV range was most recently updated earlier this year, when a new hybrid model joined the line-up.

The American Subaru Crosstrek was also announced with an updated, dual-function version of X-Mode. As well as Hill Descent, the new system will allow the driver to select 'snow/dirt' or 'deep snow/mud' depending on the conditions.

Exterior and interior changes will accompany the mid-life update for the Subaru XV, but details on the Australian version are yet to be announced.

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