Why The New Subaru Crosstrek Wilderness May Not Be The Right Trim For You

Why should you consider the all-new next-generation 2024 Subaru Crosstrek? It has extensive upgrades and a new outdoor-themed Crosstrek Wilderness trim level. But it's not for those who will keep the new subcompact SUV on paved roads. 

Is the new Wilderness an appearance package? Here is why there are more than a few Wilderness badges. It's designed for active customers going off the pavement. Subaru Drive provides some of the information.

The Crosstrek Wilderness joins the Wilderness family and adds features that have made the Outback Wilderness and Forester Wilderness popular with overlanders and off-roaders. The new trim level has taller ground clearance, an upgraded suspension, all-terrain tires, unique interior and exterior design, better towing capacity, and advanced technology. 

Subaru looked at how current owners were modifying the Crosstrek for camping and overlanding and said we could do that and make it available from the factory. Meet the new 2024 Crosstrek Wilderness.

The Crosstrek Wilderness is powered by the same 2.5-liter direct-injection Subaru Boxer engine in the Crosstrek Sport and Limited, with 182 horsepower and 176 lb-ft of torque. The Boxer engine sits lower in the chassis providing a stable and balanced ride on a steep trail.

The Crosstrek Wilderness gets more upgrades. It has a revised differential gear ratio for snappier performance on and off the highway. The Crosstrek Wilderness has a 4.111 final drive ratio versus the highway cruising 3.700 final drive in all the other trim levels, which allows for better climbing ability.

Why does the Wilderness trim have more towing capacity?

Subaru added a transmission oil cooler that doubles the Crosstrek Wilderness model's towing capacity up to 3,500 pounds. In addition, a retuned Lineartronic CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission) provides optimal traction at low speeds and on slippery surfaces, another upgrade that the aftermarket can't offer.

Crosstrek Wilderness has 9.3 inches of clearance at the lowest level for better rock-clearing ability on the trial. Subaru says the Crosstrek Wilderness has longer coil springs and shock absorbers, specially tuned to help maintain performance in all driving conditions.

"On the trail, longer suspension travel helps to keep tire tread in contact with rough surfaces, and better damping on the compression stroke helps keep the bumps from intruding into the cabin space." 

Read how Subaru used adhesive glue to make the cabin a quiet place in the next-generation Crosstrek and Impreza. 

More off-road upgrades

Subaru says because of the unique front and rear fascias and the taller ground clearance, the approach angle, the maximum angle that a Crosstrek Wilderness can climb an obstacle from the level ground without touching the front bumper, increases from 18.0 degrees to 20.0 degrees. 

The departure angle, the maximum angle a Crosstrek Wilderness can descend onto the level ground without touching the rear bumper, increases from 30.1 to 33.0 degrees. The break-over angle, the maximum ramp angle that a Crosstrek Wilderness can climb over without touching the underbody, moves from 19.7 to 21.1 degrees.

Outside upgrades

The Subaru Drive report says the front and rear fascias, unique to the Crosstrek Wilderness, help provide the vehicle's impressive ascent and descent angles. The hexagonal front grille is also unique to the Crosstrek Wilderness, and the larger wheel arch cladding and metal front skid plate help to reduce trail damage.

On the roof, the ladder-type roof rack system has a 176-pound dynamic (while moving) load capacity, with a 700-pound static (when parked) load limit. That allows for the use of a rooftop tent. 

What is the price of the Crosstrek Wilderness?

The 2024 Subaru Crosstrek Wilderness will be the most expensive Crosstrek trim level, but it is worth it because of the upgrades over the standard model. The all-new Crosstrek 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 for an MSRP of $2,270.

Like the Crosstrek Sport and Limited trims, the rugged Crosstrek Wilderness is manufactured at Subaru of Indiana Automotive in Lafayette, Indiana. The 2024 Crosstrek Wilderness will arrive at retailers in the fall of 2023.

Consider the all-new next-generation 2024 Subaru Crosstrek Wilderness to escape civilization and further off the grid. It comes with extensive off-road performance upgrades for the most active customers.

You Might Also Like: The Hot Subaru Crosstrek Is Not The Most Popular New Model Pick, Outback Takes Over

Denis Flierl brings over thirty years of combined auto industry and automotive journalism experience to Torque News readers. He is an accredited Rocky Mountain Automotive Press (RMAP) member. The last twelve years have been spent with Torque News, covering Subaru vehicles and the latest news. Check back daily for his expert Subaru analysis. You'll find the latest stories 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.

Denis Flierl brings over thirty years of combined auto industry and automotive journalism experience to Torque News readers. He is an accredited Rocky Mountain Automotive Press (RMAP) member. The last twelve years have been spent with Torque News, covering Subaru vehicles and the latest news. Check back daily for his expert Subaru analysis. You'll find the latest stories 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.

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Photo credit: Subaru USA