The 2024 Subaru Crosstrek Wilderness emerges as Subaru’s boldest subcompact crossover yet, boasting an extra lift, rugged cladding, and a recalibrated powertrain. On paper, the 2024 Crosstrek Wilderness stands poised to tackle muddy forest tracks and snowy passes. But do these upgrades genuinely elevate the Subaru Wilderness Crosstrek beyond cosmetic changes, or is it marketing hype?
In this 2024 Crosstrek Wilderness review, we dissect how extra ground clearance, chunkier tires, and retuned gear ratios might transform real-world adventures. The Subaru Crosstrek 2024 Wilderness promises newfound off-road confidence, from stable climbs up rocky hillsides to surefooted traction on slick terrain. We’ll see if the Subaru 2024 Crosstrek can truly transcend its crossover roots for genuine exploration.
Along the way, we’ll gauge daily comfort, cargo space, and whether the 2024 Wilderness Crosstrek competes with established off-road stalwarts like the Jeep Compass Trailhawk. If you’ve craved a nimble, all-weather SUV that won’t break the bank, the Subaru Crosstrek Wilderness 2024 might be your answer. Let’s uncover whether Subaru’s latest trim meets its promise of marrying city versatility with rugged prowess.
Table of Contents
- Design and Exterior Features
- Interior and Comfort
- Technology and Safety Features for Modern Explorers
- Under the Hood: Engine, Transmission, and Performance
- Specifications
- Off-Road Capabilities
- On-Road Driving Dynamics
- How the 2024 Crosstrek Wilderness Stacks Up Against Competitors
- Pros and Cons
- Final Verdict: Who Should Buy the 2024 Subaru Crosstrek Wilderness?
Design and Exterior Features
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On first glance, the 2024 Subaru Crosstrek Wilderness differs from its siblings via robust fender cladding, a bolder grille, and unique Wilderness badging. Subaru also added a matte-black hood accent that reduces glare during sunny off-road treks. Small gold-hued trim details outline its rugged intent, making the Subaru Wilderness 2024 instantly recognizable among compact crossovers.
Ground clearance grows from 8.7 to 9.3 inches, a subtle shift that helps the 2024 Crosstrek Wilderness clear ruts and rocks on muddy backroads. Revised front and rear bumpers sharpen approach and departure angles, useful when climbing steep banks. Multi-reflector LED headlights aim deep into corners, while fog lamps flank a beefed-up lower grille. Viewed in profile, the Subaru Crosstrek 2024 Wilderness wears 17-inch alloy wheels wrapped in chunkier all-terrain tires, hinting at genuine trail capability.
Thicker wheel arches and side cladding protect the 2024 Subaru Wilderness body panels from kicked-up debris. Meanwhile, Subaru integrates sturdy roof rails up top, supporting up to 700 pounds when parked—ideal for rooftop tents or big cargo boxes. These additions shape a cohesive look that’s adventurous yet still city-friendly. Despite the off-road flair, the Subaru Crosstrek Wilderness 2024 preserves its compact footprint, allowing easy maneuvering in tight parking or narrow trails.
Interior and Comfort
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Step inside the 2024 Subaru Crosstrek Wilderness and you’ll find water-resistant upholstery, rubberized floor mats, and subtle bronze accents. These rugged touches match the exterior’s off-road theme. Seats remain cushy enough for daily commutes, but reinforced bolstering secures occupants when the Wilderness Subaru bumps along rocky paths. Generous headroom prevents any sense of cramping despite the vehicle’s compact footprint.
Soft-touch materials appear on the dash, yet the overall design leans practical instead of plush. Subaru incorporates extra sound-deadening near the firewall and underfloor areas, cutting highway noise more effectively than past Crosstreks. The upgraded driver’s seat in the 2024 Crosstrek Wilderness trim adds power adjustments for better long-trip comfort. In back, adult passengers enjoy adequate legroom, although three across can feel tight on extended drives.
Cargo space behind the rear seats mirrors standard Crosstreks—about 20 cubic feet. This suffices for a couple’s camping gear or grocery hauls, but overland enthusiasts needing extra capacity can fold the seatbacks or employ roof rails. Overall, the Subaru Crosstrek Wilderness 2024 cabin excels in function over flash. You won’t get luxury-SUV vibes here, but it delivers everyday coziness with enough durability to handle muddy boots or pet hair without hassle.
Technology and Safety Features for Modern Explorers
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A large 11.6-inch touchscreen anchors the 2024 Subaru Crosstrek Wilderness dashboard, hosting Apple CarPlay and Android Auto for seamless smartphone integration. Subaru’s Starlink infotainment system offers quick responses, though some users may miss physical buttons for climate adjustments. High-contrast displays help visibility on dusty trails or glare-filled highways, supporting the sense that this 2024 Wilderness Crosstrek balances tech with simplicity.
Safety remains a strong suit, thanks to Subaru’s EyeSight suite. Standard features include adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and pre-collision braking, all calibrated for the Subaru Wilderness 2024 higher ride. An optional blind-spot monitor and rear cross-traffic alert add peace of mind in crowded lots or narrow off-road passes.Â
X-Mode includes hill-descent control, providing low-speed confidence on rocky declines. Ultimately, these modern aids ensure the Subaru Crosstrek 2024 Wilderness feels well-armed for both urban commutes and dirt-road treks.
Under the Hood: Engine, Transmission, and Performance
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Powering the 2024 Subaru Crosstrek Wilderness is a 2.5-liter flat-four engine rated at 182 horsepower and 178 lb-ft of torque. While not a rocket on pavement, this boxer mill delivers predictable low-end pull. Subaru pairs it exclusively with a CVT, dropping the manual option from prior Crosstreks. Despite that, the shorter final-drive ratio helps when ascending steep gravel hills or navigating thick mud.
The transmission in the Subaru Wilderness Crosstrek gains a dedicated fluid cooler, boosting tow capacity to 3500 pounds—a hefty jump from the standard model’s 1500-pound max. On flatter terrain, the CVT remains composed, though heavy throttle can provoke droning. That said, normal cruising finds the 2024 Crosstrek Wilderness mostly quiet, with minimal vibrations from the boxer layout.
Subaru also recalibrates engine mapping for better off-line torque, essential for slow-speed climbs. Though 0-60 times hover in the mid-8-second range, the Subaru Crosstrek Wilderness 2024 prioritizes traction over raw acceleration. Enhanced all-wheel drive and X-Mode ensure balanced grip on slick or uneven ground, letting adventurous drivers tackle loose trails without fear of spinning wheels or stalling out.
Specifications
Off-Road Capabilities
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The 2024 Subaru Crosstrek Wilderness leverages lifted suspension, Yokohama Geolandar A/T tires, and 9.3 inches of ground clearance to conquer moderate trails. Improved approach and departure angles help avoid scraping on rutted paths, while X-Mode’s Snow/Dirt and Deep Snow/Mud settings tailor power delivery. For a subcompact crossover, the Subaru Wilderness Crosstrek wades into off-road territory most rivals would fear.
Steep inclines become more manageable, thanks to the revised gear ratios. This design allows the Subaru Crosstrek 2024 Wilderness to climb rocky or sandy slopes without bogging down. Subaru’s Hill Descent Control also instills confidence downhill, automatically regulating speed on loose surfaces. Although lacking low-range gears, the 2024 Wilderness Crosstrek uses advanced AWD tuning to distribute torque quickly when a wheel slips.
Water fording remains mild, given a standard crossover’s sealed components and moderate intake height. Still, owners can cross shallow streams or flooded ruts without major worry. Ultimately, the Wilderness Subaru extends where you can roam, bridging daily driving and genuine trail exploration. Dedicated off-roaders may opt for solid-axle 4x4s, but for everyday adventurers, this pocket-friendly format proves surprisingly adept.
On-Road Driving Dynamics
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Despite its off-road focus, the 2024 Subaru Crosstrek Wilderness behaves well in everyday driving. The raised suspension and bigger tires don’t sabotage ride comfort. Body roll is moderate during corners, though the higher center of gravity is noticeable. Steering feedback feels a bit light, consistent with the broader Crosstrek lineup. Overall, the chassis soaks up potholes and broken pavement without rattling the cabin.
Acceleration remains adequate for merging onto highways or passing slow traffic, but high-rev bursts can trigger the CVT’s characteristic drone. Once up to speed, the Subaru Wilderness 2024 holds stable cruising revs, aided by improved sound insulation. Wind noise around the large roof rails is modest, though all-terrain tires add a faint hum. Suburban commutes and multi-hour road trips are surprisingly relaxed for a small SUV with off-road add-ons.
Braking performance is solid; the larger discs help dissipate heat on winding descents. The 2024 Crosstrek Wilderness trim also benefits from the recalibrated ABS, ensuring shorter stops on wet or gravelly roads. While it’s not a sporty crossover, agile handling and straightforward controls let drivers confidently swap from city errands to winding byways. Any slight trade-off for off-road gear feels minimal compared to the rugged benefits gained.
How the 2024 Crosstrek Wilderness Stacks Up Against Competitors
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At first glance, the 2024 Subaru Crosstrek Wilderness faces off against the Jeep Compass Trailhawk, Toyota RAV4 TRD Off-Road, and Ford Bronco Sport Badlands. The Compass offers a more classic 4×4 approach with a low crawl ratio, while the RAV4 boasts a powerful engine and extra ground clearance. Subaru sits in a sweet spot, providing trail chops beyond standard crossovers but retaining better road manners and a friendlier price tag than some pricier off-road trims.
Against the Bronco Sport, the Subaru Wilderness 2024 is smaller overall, which aids in tight urban parking yet still includes respectable cargo capacity. Bronco Sport might tackle rocky ascents a bit more boldly, but the 2024 Subaru Crosstrek Wilderness counters with a smoother highway ride and Subaru’s hallmark reliability. Meanwhile, Jeep’s compact models can feel pricier, and Toyota’s RAV4 TRD edges into midsize territory. Many see the Subaru Crosstrek 2024 Wilderness as a happy medium between these extremes.
If you prioritize hardcore off-roading, you may still gravitate toward Jeep or Bronco. But for those seeking an all-season commuter that doubles as a weekend trail cruiser, the Subaru Crosstrek Wilderness 2024 offers a blend of capability, comfort, and decent fuel efficiency. It may not dominate in extreme terrain, yet it outshines most subcompact crossovers when blacktop ends and muddy switchbacks begin.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Elevated 9.3-inch ground clearance for better off-road clearance
- Water-resistant upholstery handles muddy boots or pet mishaps
- Recalibrated AWD system offers confidence on slippery, uneven trails
- Balanced on-road comfort and improved sound insulation
- Reasonable pricing undercuts many direct off-road rivals
Cons
- CVT drone under hard acceleration; no manual option
- 2.5-liter engine lacks punch at highway speeds
- Cargo volume remains modest for full overlanding setups
- Not suited for extreme rock-crawling without extensive mods
Final Verdict: Who Should Buy the 2024 Subaru Crosstrek Wilderness?
Image Credit: Subaru
Drivers seeking a nimble, all-weather crossover with real off-road aptitude will find the 2024 Subaru Crosstrek Wilderness compelling. Its lifted stance, all-terrain tires, and enhanced AWD show that Subaru means more than just rugged styling. If your adventures include camping on muddy backwoods trails and plowing through snowy roads, the 2024 Wilderness Crosstrek rises to the occasion.
Its small footprint and daily-friendly character still appeal to urbanites who need one versatile vehicle for errands, carpools, and weekend escapes. In fact, the Subaru Crosstrek 2024 Wilderness is often easier to park or maneuver than bulkier off-road SUVs. If you want something that straddles comfort and capability—without ballooning into a full-size 4×4—this trim might be your sweet spot.
Hardcore off-roaders might find the Subaru Wilderness 2024 limiting compared to body-on-frame icons with low-range gearing. Likewise, large families hauling mountains of gear could outgrow the Crosstrek’s compact cargo. But for small households or couples who prize efficiency on weekdays and moderate off-road potential on weekends, the Subaru Crosstrek Wilderness 2024 is an ideal match.
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