Too bad the Forester discontinued the turbo...really don't understand this decision.
It is all about dollars and cents [and sense]
The XT is a lower volume [at least here in the states] model. Part of that could be traced to price and part can be traced to the "U" of SUV. The XT was a perfect sleeper but does not appeal to some people. For me, it was that [at the time I purchased] the XT only had a black interior. As of 17, the XT Touring offered saddle brown leather [but still only black cloth of Premium].
Another [probably] bigger part is what dealers order and carry on their lot. The XT can be a harder sell for those shoppers that are looking for a capable and economical SUV. Many [most?] Forester shoppers are not looking for the equivalent of a WRX SUV. There are some [a lot?] that are looking for a WRX in SUV clothing but not all or even most.
So why keep pumpimg out a less popular model and motor? And who knows..? Maybe the new Ascent 2.4 Turbo will filter to the Sport trim [or a new XT] in a few years if the demand is great enough. As the engine is already certified by the epa, etc., the change may be easy.