A Few Used Car Questions

[AJB0009]

My son is considering a used car purchase. He is looking at quite a few, but most recently spotted a 21 Subaru Crosstrek Limited 2.5L he likes.
Is there a significant difference between the 2.0L and 2.5L Subaru engines? Mileage, reliability, performance, etc.
Are there major known issues with this particular year or any of the late-model Crosstreks?
A while ago there seemed to be big concerns about non-Ford or Toyota direct-injection engines due to intake valve build-up (Honda, Mazda, Subaru, etc.). Is that still the case? Is the need for walnut shell blasting a common occurrence?

 

[skyactiv]

The 2.5 is EPA rated 1 MPG highway better than the 2.0 but the 2.0 is rated 1 EPA better city. The 2.5 has 30 more HP and 31 pounds more of torque, it's a no brainer which is better.

 

[Marcozi]

The 2.5 is EPA rated 1 MPG highway better than the 2.0 but the 2.0 is rated 1 EPA better city. The 2.5 has 30 more HP and 31 pounds more of torque, it's a no brainer which is better.

Which is more reliable?

 

[Quattro Pete]

Which is more reliable?

I don't think there is any difference between them when it comes to reliability.

 

[andrew_j]

The 2.0L is so so acceleration and labored while 2.5L is decent.

 

[fdcg27]

A 2.5 Subaru is slow enough.
The 2.0 would probably be unacceptable for most current buyers, which may be the reason that Subaru began offering the 2.5 in the Crosstrek.
Difference in fuel economy would be negligible and one should be as reliable and long-lived as the other since they are the same engine in different displacements.

 

[eljefino]

Believe when I bought my 4th gen Prius the only car slower from 0-60 was the 2.0 subaru.