Subaru Crosstrek is no stranger to building adventure-ready vehicles, but the Crosstrek Wilderness takes that reputation to a new level. A lifted version of the already lifted Subaru Crosstrek—originally based on the Impreza hatchback—this variant brings real off-road upgrades, extra power, and rugged design touches for buyers seeking capability beyond city streets.
The Basics, What is the Crosstrek Wilderness?
The Subaru Crosstrek Wilderness is a new trim in the Subaru lineup, launching alongside the fully redesigned Impreza. While the base Impreza ditches the sedan and now only comes as a hatchback, the Crosstrek Wilderness builds on that hatch with a clear focus: going further off the beaten path.
Under the hood, there’s only one engine option—a 2.5-liter flat-four making around 180 horsepower. That’s a step up from the base Crosstrek’s 2.0-liter engine and helps give this Wilderness edition the extra grunt it needs for trail duty.
A CVT automatic transmission is standard, and the manual option has been dropped entirely for . The Wilderness trim also boosts towing capacity from 1,500 pounds to 3,500 pounds thanks to enhanced cooling and transmission upgrades.
Ground Clearance and Off-Road Cred
Subaru Crosstrek already raised eyebrows with the Crosstrek’s 8.7 inches of ground clearance. The Wilderness trim adds even more—another 0.6 inches—bringing the total to 9.3 inches. That’s more than what you’ll find in some of the most off-road-focused compact SUVs like the Ford Bronco Sport Badlands or Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk.
Along with better clearance, the approach and departure angles improve, and a front skid plate adds underbody protection. Standard all-terrain Yokohama Geolandar tires help with traction on uneven surfaces, and a reinforced roof rack can support up to 700 pounds—ideal for rooftop tents.
This isn’t a soft-roader in name only. The upgrades have real substance behind them.
Plastic Cladding Everywhere
You won’t miss the styling differences either. Subaru went heavy on plastic cladding throughout the bumpers, fenders, and rocker panels. This unpainted plastic might not win beauty contests, but it serves a clear purpose—it’s more scratch-resistant when brushing against branches or rocks.
Of course, the look won’t be for everyone. There’s a fine line between rugged and overdone, and the Crosstrek Wilderness dances right on it.
Adding some visual flair are copper-colored accents on the front, roof rails, and badging. It’s a distinctive touch, one that helps differentiate it from other Crosstreks in the lineup.
Cabin Touches Fit for the Trail
Step inside and the wilderness theme continues. The seats are covered in Subaru’s water-resistant “StarTex” upholstery—a synthetic material designed to shrug off mud, water, or anything else nature throws at you.
Rubber floor mats come standard with a trail-tread pattern, and there’s a matching mat in the cargo area too. Speaking of the rear, Subaru added cupholders back there, a small touch that’s unique to the Wilderness model.
Gold stitching and copper accent trim carry the theme into the cabin. You’ll also spot Wilderness logos stitched into the headrests, and a few subtle Easter eggs—like mountain graphics on the door sills, cargo scuff plate, and even inside the cupholders.
Tech and Infotainment
At the center of the dashboard is Subaru’s large vertical touchscreen, which dominates the interior. It’s impressive to see a screen this large in a vehicle at this price point. It handles audio, navigation, Bluetooth, and even some climate controls.
Thankfully, Subaru kept some physical buttons. You still get real knobs for volume and tuning, as well as physical temperature controls and switches for front and rear defoggers. Heated seat controls are the old-school rocker switches, which long-time Subaru fans will recognize immediately.
The one area that’s lacking? Camera tech. There’s a backup camera, but that’s it. No 360-degree surround view or front-facing off-road camera. For a vehicle with this much ground clearance and trail potential, that feels like a missed opportunity.
Price and Final Thoughts
The Subaru Crosstrek Wilderness starts around $33,000, including destination. That’s a decent bump from the base Impreza ($24,000) and the standard Crosstrek ($26,000), but the Wilderness brings meaningful upgrades that justify the extra cost.
It’s more than just a badge or appearance package. The Crosstrek Wilderness has added power, better clearance, serious towing capacity, and real trail capability. If your adventures take you beyond gravel roads and into deep forest trails—or even if you just want the look—it’s a compelling option.
It’s not the flashiest or most luxurious SUV out there, but for those who care about function over flair, the Crosstrek Wilderness hits the mark.
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