I got a curious solution. First, here is my config:
Cordova CLI: 6.5.0
Ionic Framework Version: 2.1.0
Ionic CLI Version: 2.2.1
Ionic App Lib Version: 2.2.0
Ionic App Scripts Version: 1.1.4
ios-deploy version: Not installed
ios-sim version: Not installed
OS: Linux 4.4
Node Version: v6.9.4
Xcode version: Not installed
The crosswalk plugin, as discussed, adds to apk size, footprint and internal storage and decreases the performance. I was suffering with the white screen issue with a couple of devices in 4.4.2 and noticed that when you add the crosswalk plugin and use it running ionic build the contend of your project and how it is packaged changes but doesn’t change all back when ir is removed. It keeps generating two apks (x86 and arm7). So I did this:
Install the plugin
-> cordova plugin add cordova-plugin-crosswalk-webview
Use it, so it can download all dependencies and config your project
-> cordova build android
Remove it
-> cordova plugin remove cordova-plugin-crosswalk-webview
Make sure no module content stays back
-> rm -rf node_modules
Reinstall all your modules
-> npm install
Clean residues and check the state of your project
-> cordova clean
Now I have an apk without the issues of size, foorprint and storage that works in android 4.4.2.
Maybe Ionic team could investigate further and the community test this in previous android versions?