As the Subaru Crosstrek enters its next generation for 2024, it remains an affordable-yet-ruggedly-styled upgrade over the Impreza compact hatchback it is based upon. At this year’s New York Auto Show, Subaru debuted a new Crosstrek Wilderness trim that joins the Outback and Forester under Subaru’s off-road sub-brand.
To no one’s surprise, the Crosstrek Wilderness follows Subaru’s Wilderness playbook, with an upgraded powertrain, more ground clearance, a front skid plate, and exclusive styling details inside and out.
This Crosstrek Gets Wilder
The 2024 Subaru Crosstrek Wilderness trim comes exclusively with the more powerful of two Crosstrek engines: the 2.5-litre flat-four-cylinder, making 182 horsepower and 176 pound-feet of torque. Subaru says it engineered the Wilderness drivetrain for “better off-road performance” with a revised differential gear ratio and retuned continuously variable automatic transmission (the only gearbox choice). Like every Crosstrek, the Wilderness comes standard with Subaru’s Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive but with X-Mode (that offers Snow, Dirt/Deep Snow, and Mud modes) standard.
Dig deeper into the new Crosstrek Wilderness trim’s spec sheet, and you’ll find a 4.111 final drive ratio (vs. 3.700) to improve the small SUV’s climbing ability and new tuning for the CVT that optimizes traction at low speeds and on slippery surfaces. The Wilderness also gets longer coil springs and shock absorbers. They add about 1.25 cm of ground clearance compared to other Crosstrek trims, now riding taller at 24 cm.
For drivers who pack a protractor when venturing off-road, Subaru has increased the approach angle from 18.0 degrees in other Crosstrek trims to 20.0 degrees on the Wilderness, the departure angle from 30.1 to 33.0 degrees, and the ramp breakover angle from 19.7 to 21.1 degrees.
Raised white-letter Yokohama Geolandar all-terrain tires mounted on matte-black Wilderness-exclusive 17-inch wheels add traction and classic off-road looks.
Increased Practicality
More practical for weekend warriors who want to bring along their toys and gear, the Wilderness adds more practicality over a regular Crosstrek.
A ladder-type roof rack system features an 80-kg dynamic load capacity and a 318-kg static load limit. That’s just the right amount to attach a roof-top tent, according to Subaru. Also, the maximum towing capacity more than doubles to 1,588 kg, thanks to the addition of a transmission oil cooler.
Wilderness Wardrobe
For buyers who may never go off-road, every Subaru Wilderness is distinguished with exterior and interior styling details that at least suggest you sometimes/maybe/might/perhaps drive off onto anything less than smooth pavement.
As such, the Wilderness Crosstrek gets all-new front and rear bumpers, front grille, more prominent wheel arch cladding, and fog lights. There’s also a host of visual clues, like a matte-black hood decal, body-colour roof spoiler, black side mirrors, and bright orange accents.
For hardcore Wilderness fans, you’ll be relieved to know that the Crosstrek trim is available in the sub-brand’s exclusive shade of Geyser Blue.
2024 Subaru Crosstrek Wilderness Availability and Pricing
The 2024 Crosstrek Wilderness will begin arriving in Subaru dealers this fall.
We only have U.S.-market pricing so far. But based on those figures, we expect the Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) in Canadian dollars for the 2024 Crosstrek Wilderness to land somewhere between the $33,995 Crosstrek Onyx and the top-line $36,995 Limited trims.
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