RPM News Weekly

5-24-24 Featured Vehicle

Long before every vehicle in every segment attempted to become an adventurous, off-road-ready SUV, the Subaru Crosstrek had been quietly and confidently filling that role.

For 2024, the Crosstrek gets a redesign, and while Subaru added new tech and sharpened the styling, they didn’t change the formula too much. And why would they? The Crosstrek was still a strong seller even before the update. As the saying goes, if it ain’t broke… don’t fix it.

The Crosstrek debuted in 2012 as the XV Crosstrek, a slightly lifted spinoff of the Subaru Impreza Hatchback with 8.7 inches of ground clearance and more rugged styling cues. When it debuted, the Crosstrek reminded me a bit of the Subarus of old. Back in the day, my sister drove a Subaru GL 4×4 hatchback, which might not be a direct relation to the Crosstrek but certainly created the formula. That little car was a beast; I wish I still had it.

Subaru Crosstrek Wilderness

RPM News Weekly Photos by Peter Ciani

These days, with adventure-ready vehicles all the rage among outdoorsy types, and models such as the Toyota Corolla Cross, RAV4 TRD, and the all-new Nissan Rogue vying for attention, the Crosstrek is no longer the sole option in the compact segment. However, Subaru has been paying attention — enter the Wilderness edition.

The Crosstrek is not the first Subaru to get a Wilderness edition badge. The automaker launched its first Wilderness Edition trim on the 2022 Subaru Outback, which is a bit ironic because, if you know your Subaru history, the Outback itself started as an off-road trim variant of the Legacy wagon before becoming a stand-alone model in 2000.

Then in 2023, the Forester Wilderness was revealed.

The 2024 Crosstrek Wilderness builds on the already capable small crossover by adding a trim-exclusive suspension with 9.3 inches of ground clearance, which is a half-inch taller than the usual 8.7 inches found in most Subarus. The added lift comes from longer, specially tuned coil springs and shock absorbers. The long-travel shocks offer increased absorption on rough surfaces while maintaining a smooth, controlled ride on regular roads. The Crosstrek Wilderness also benefits from improved approach and departure angles, thanks to its trim-specific front and rear fascia design.

To complement the off-road-ready suspension, the Crosstrek Wilderness comes equipped with Yokohama GEOLANDAR all-terrain tires for optimal performance in mud, gravel, or snow, and Subaru’s driver-selectable dual-function X-MODE, offering Snow/Dirt and Deep Snow/Mud modes. Each setting optimizes engine output and CVT ratios, boosts Active All-Wheel Drive engagement, and fine-tunes the Vehicle Dynamics Control with Traction Control System for maximum traction. X-MODE also includes Low Speed/Low Ratio Gradient Control. This system senses when the vehicle is traveling on a steep incline at low speed, shifting the CVT to its lowest ratio (4.066:1). All Crosstrek models include Active Torque Vectoring for enhanced handling stability.

The Crosstrek Wilderness is powered by a 2.5-liter BOXER engine, producing 182 horsepower and 178 lb-ft of torque. Subaru engineered the Crosstrek Wilderness drivetrain for better off-road performance by installing a revised differential gear ratio and retuned Lineartronic CVT. Thanks to a trim-specific transmission cooler, the Crosstrek Wilderness boasts a towing capacity of 3,500 pounds — that’s 2,000 pounds more than other Crosstrek trims. If you need to tow equipment, the Wilderness is the Crosstrek trim you want.

You do pay a small MPG penalty for the lifted suspension and off-road tires, which is not unexpected. The Crosstrek Wilderness gets an EPA rating of 25 city / 29 highway, compared to 26 city / 33 highway for the Sport and Limited models with the same engine.

Beyond the mechanical differences, the Crosstrek Wilderness features exclusive styling, including all-new front and rear bumpers, a bold hexagonal front grille, larger wheel arch cladding, a metal front skid plate, unique hex-design LED fog lights, raised ladder-type roof rails, and an anti-glare hood decal in a matte-black finish. Of course, you can’t have a Wilderness trim without the anodized copper-finish accents.

Inside the Crosstrek Wilderness, you’ll find many of the amenities you’d expect from a top-tier Crosstrek, including the SUBARU STARLINK 11.6-inch Multimedia Plus infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel. While it doesn’t have the leather-trimmed seating of the Crosstrek Limited, it does include StarTex water-repellent upholstery with copper-colored stitching and heated front seats, fitting the softroader theme perfectly.

All weather mats also come standard on the Crosstrek Wilderness, as does a removable water-resistant rear cargo tray.

The Subaru Crosstrek was already a capable small SUV, but the new Wilderness trim takes it to the next level without compromising road manners or aesthetics. With a starting price about $1,000 over the top-of-the-line Crosstrek Limited, it’s a bargain, especially considering the additional equipment, capability, and mechanical upgrades you get.

MANUFACTURER’S SUGGESTED RETAIL PRICE STARTING $31,995

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