Yes, that was introduced in 2021 on the Sport model and in 2022 on the Limited model as well - both are CVT only. Only the Base and Premium models are available with an MT.
what model years still have the good 2021 features and which model years are too old?
Model Year 2018 and Newer
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I stand corrected.
Direct injection was introduced in 2018 but I would not consider it an improvement since DI engines are prone to carbon buildup on the intake valves.
This is what I have heard. Although I don't know anybody who has had a problem with this yet. I'm sure the shelves of your local auto store are filled with plenty of snake oil remedies for this.
2019 doesn't have the 2.5L engine -- so no
2.5l engine isn't offered in manual, so yes.
don't test drive a 2.5L or you'll be a CVT convert
NEVER! I will say, if you want a manual... Then 2019 is the best year there will ever be. If you are getting the cvt then it doesn't really matter because you probably also want the auto climate control and fancy things that I don't want. The 2.0 is just fine for the trek though. I'll get an sti or another bugeye for speed.don't test drive a 2.5L or you'll be a CVT convert
I have a 2020 manual. No auto start/stop on mine. While I'm not crazy about the auto climate control, it's no big deal to disable the auto portion of it. Just adjusting an item disables auto for that item. The only item I leave on auto is the fan speed - that's nice in the wintertime as it won't ramp up speed until the engine is warm.
2018 2.0l had direct injection
As model years get older, the trim level doesn't matter as much as far as price differential. I'd say a low mileage '18 Limited like ours is as good as any of the later models, with the exception of the 2.5L and I haven't driven one so I can't comment on that. If you spend a lot of time at higher elevations the 2.5L is probably better.
I'd even say the 2.5L engine is a safety feature. Here in So Cal there is a ton of highway construction underway with very short merge lengths and cement barriers obscuring the approach. I frequently find myself putting my Limited into "S" mode for the extra boost to get up to speed coming out of one of those chutes to get up to speed with the rest of the lead footed So Cal drivers.
It's not as bad a problem as you might think. Before I bought my 2021 Limited I owned a Mini Cooper S with DI. The intake valves needed to be blown out around 90K - 100K. I mitigated it by running almost exclusively on Chevron gas. The Techron additive helped keep the buildup down. Other brands were not as kind to my engine's performance. I could definitely feel the difference.
Haven't found that to be a problem but maybe our Pedal Commander helps, as it's now always in Sport mode.
It's pretty bad down here in Orange County. The blind approaches are short and awful. They've been tearing down and rebuilding bridges going over the 405 to widen it. There are about 21 bridges over a 16 mile stretch that they've been rebuilding. Surface streets have been a nightmare too. They've had to alternate construction because they are usually grouped closely together. The 405 cuts through at a diagonal, so there are a number of adjacent N/S and E/W bridges. They only take down one at a time in those pairs so they don't completely cripple cross town traffic. Fortunately the bulk of the bridge work is near completion.
Ah, yes, the endless widen the 405 project, ugh...
We're lucky that our nearest "on ramp" is the California Incline - nice view of the ocean and the mountains, then a stop light to get onto PCH which becomes the 10.
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