2024 Subaru Crosstrek Sport Vs. Wilderness - Are Wilderness Upgrades Worth The Cost?

Should outdoor enthusiasts buy the next-generation 2024 Subaru Crosstrek Sport trim or the all-new 2024 Crosstrek Wilderness trim level? The new 2024 Subaru Crosstrek is Subaru of America's most significant launch this year.

The top-selling Crosstrek, with its complete remodel, will attract new small SUV buyers to the brand who want to go off-road. Here is what small SUV shoppers will get in the newly-remodeled Crosstrek Wilderness and the Crosstrek Sport subcompact SUV, the two models best suited for off-pavement adventures.

Which is the best trim level for outdoor enthusiasts?

It depends on how far you plan to get off the grid. Here are the similarities and differences.

The Crosstrek Sport and Wilderness are powered by a newly re-tuned 2.5-liter direct-injection Boxer engine with 182 horsepower and 178 lb-ft of torque—both feature dual-function X-Mode with hill descent control. In addition, the X-Mode system includes driver-selectable Snow/Dirt and Deep Snow/Mud settings to optimize all-wheel drive performance for extreme weather or road conditions.

But that is where the off-pavement similarities end.

The Crosstrek Sport has 8.7 inches of ground clearance versus 9.3 inches for the Crosstrek Wilderness. Subaru says they engineered the Crosstrek Wilderness drivetrain for better off-road performance by installing a revised differential gear ratio and retuned Lineartronic CVT automatic transmission. It also has an upgraded suspension, additional body cladding, a metal front skid plate, hex-design LED fog lights, an anti-glare hood decal in a matte-black finish, and all-terrain tires.

The Crosstrek Sport has a max towing capacity of 1,500 lbs vs. 3,500 lbs for the Crosstrek Wilderness. In addition, the Wilderness trim comes with a ladder-type roof rack system, with a 176 lb. dynamic load capacity and a 700-lb. static load limit, allowing safe use of larger roof-top tents.

The Wilderness seats are upholstered in a water-resistant Subaru StarTex material. The Crosstrek Sport has sport cloth seats.

What is the price of the Crosstrek Sport vs. Wilderness?

The 2024 Crosstrek Sport has a starting price of $30,290, including destination and delivery fees ($1,225).

An available option package for Sport includes Power Moonroof, Blind-Spot Detection with Lane Change Assist and Rear Cross-Traffic Alert, and a 10-way power driver seat with 2-way lumbar support ($1,920 MSRP).

The 2024 Subaru Crosstrek Wilderness will be the most expensive Crosstrek trim level. The all-new Wilderness costs $33,290, including dealer destination and delivery fees ($1,295).

An available option package for Crosstrek Wilderness includes a power moonroof, a 10-way power driver seat with 2-way lumbar support, and a Harman Kardon 10-speaker system with a 432-watt equivalent amplifier ($2,270 MSRP).

A fully loaded 2024 Crosstrek Sport is $32,210. A fully loaded 2024 Crosstrek Wilderness is $35,560. The extra $3,350 for the Crosstrek Wilderness is a good value for outdoor enthusiasts who want to get further off the grid.

The only drawback is you'll have to wait until fall to get the 2024 Subaru Crosstrek Wilderness. The 2024 Crosstrek Sport arrives this summer.

You Might Also Like: Why The New 2024 Subaru Crosstrek Still Wins With One Hand Tied Behind Its Back

Denis Flierl has invested over 30 years in the automotive industry in a consulting role working with every major car brand. He is an accredited member of the Rocky Mountain Automotive Press. Check out Subaru Report, where he covers all of the Japanese automaker's models. More stories can be found on the Torque News Subaru page. Follow Denis on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Subaru Report - We’ve got you covered! Check back tomorrow for more unique, informative SUBARU news, reviews, and previews you can trust.

Leave your comments below, share the article with friends, and tweet it out to your followers!

Photo credit: Subaru USA