By: Joshua Lee
May 5, 2024
Reviewing the sixth-generation Subaru Impreza was positive with its good looks and engaging drive. If you want something a little more SUV-like, you can go for the Subaru Crosstrek, which is based on the same platform as the Impreza but with an additional 3.4 inches of ground clearance. The compact SUV enters its third generation with new styling and technology. That’s not the end of it, as Subaru adds the Wilderness badge to the Crosstrek as the newest member in their off-road-themed lineup.
Subaru Canada has provided us with the 2024 Subaru Crosstrek Wilderness for our week-long test. Powering the Crosstrek is the 2.5-liter boxer four-cylinder engine, which produces 182 horsepower and 178 lb-ft of torque. Much like the Subaru Impreza RS, the Crosstrek is also fun to drive. The engine pairs very well with a vehicle this size, as it doesn’t feel like it’s lacking power. The CVT transmission features an eight-speed manual mode with paddle shifters and two driving modes. The standard Crosstrek can tow up to 1500 pounds, whereas the Wilderness can tow up to 3500 pounds. All Crosstrek models come with all-wheel drive, hill descent control, and hill start assist. The Crosstrek Wilderness has dual-function X-MODE for better handling under varying road conditions.
On the outside, the Crosstrek Wilderness looks off-road ready. Our tester comes in Geyser Blue with 17-inch matte black wheels. Anodized copper exterior accents, a matte black hood decal, and a lower aluminum front skid plate distinguish the Wilderness from other Crosstrek models. There is more body cladding on the Wilderness to protect it from scratches and make it easier to clean the entire car when your adventures come to an end. The Crosstrek Wilderness has an impressive 9.3 inches of ground clearance, which is higher than the Ford Bronco Sport Badlands and the Mazda CX-50 Meridian.
Complementing its exterior styling, the Crosstrek Wilderness features a functional interior. Seating surfaces are easy to clean with a water-resistant upholstery that emulates leather. The driver’s seat features a 10-way power adjustment with 2-way lumbar support. The seats are comfortable to be in and are nicely padded, but we did find them on the firmer side. Inside the cabin, we find the same anodized copper accents, yellow contrast stitching, carbon-look dashboard accents, and the Wilderness logo embossed on the front headrests. We found it surprising that the Impreza RS features more cargo room than the Crosstrek Wilderness. The rear seats aren’t bad to be in with decent legroom, but there is 566L behind them and 1555L with the 60/40 bench folded down; 12L and 31L difference, respectively.
A 4.2-inch multi-function display sits in between the analog gauges, while an 11.6-inch tablet-style infotainment screen is integrated into the dash. There is still a little bit of lag while using the system, but it’s still easy to use. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, heated front seats and steering wheel, and a ten-speaker Harman Kardon premium audio system are standard. The Wilderness model is also fitted with all-weather rubber floor mats, cargo tray, and a tailgate mounted LED light.
The Subaru Crosstrek Wilderness features Subaru’s latest EyeSight driver assist technology which uses three cameras to monitor traffic in front of the vehicle. A backup camera, automatic high beam assist, blind spot detection, lane change assist, and rear cross traffic alert are standard.
Subaru rates the fuel economy for the Crosstrek Wilderness as 9.4L/100KM city, 8.1L/100KM highway, for a combined 8.7L/100KM. We achieved 9.3L/100KM during our test and were glad to fill the crossover’s 63L fuel tank with regular 87 octane.
There are five models to choose from: The Convenience starts at $31,674, Touring at $34,874, Onyx at $36,674, Limited at $39,674, and the Wilderness at $40,674. Our tester costs $45,961, including taxes and delivery.
The expansion of the Wilderness brand offers something special for Subaru fans and prospects who are looking for a vehicle that they can be confident in behind the wheel wherever they go. Despite that the Crosstrek Wilderness offers less cargo room and high fuel economy ratings, this lifted crossover has been updated with Subaru’s larger infotainment system and safety features. The Wilderness is also fun to drive, with durable components inside and out. The Crosstrek Wilderness won’t be for everyone, so it’s nice that Subaru offers different trims, but if you want a unique and capable crossover, look for that crest.
