Shake, Rattle, and Rally: 2024 Subaru Crosstrek Wilderness Review

Many beasts in their natural habitat don’t look quite so tough at first sight! They may appear as a bit of an underdog, but can still navigate terrain such as bold rock faces. This 2024 Subaru Crosstrek Wilderness Review will shed some light on its abilities! It comes to the table with a hatchback stance and a bit of a pint size, but definitely still pulls its weight. 

2024 Subaru Crosstrek Wilderness Review

The Car and Driver crew had nailed down a great location to test this model’s trail chops. Their first test drive of the Crosstrek Wilderness took place at Utah’s Zion National Park. Here this rugged new Subaru model proved it was a segment-leading climbing machine. This new model also boasts very unique new copper accents on the exterior. 

Primo Outfitting Chops For the Wild:

Suspension is everything when it comes to tackling challenging trails! The 2024 Crosstrek Wilderness comes equipped with a revised suspension and taller springs. This leaves the model with a very capable 9.3 inches of ground clearance. It stacks up even better for clearance than the rivaling Jeep Compass Trailhawk and the Ford Bronco Sport Badlands. 

This raised ride height leaves the Crosstrek prepped for descent duty with a 21.1-degree breakover angle. This sets the Crosstrek up for success when it comes to conquering hills, slick mud, and soft sand. The team was able to conquer some pretty serious angles without any dreaded scrapes! Even if things get really hairy, an aluminum skid plate protects the most vital components underneath. 

Dust, Dirt, and Delight: Subaru’s Stamp of “Can-Do” Candor

The Wilderness uses the same 2.5-liter flat 4-cylinder from the standard Crosstrek. This powertrain cranks out 182 horsepower and 178 lb-ft of torque. It also poses a glaring and consistent question for many auto experts. It has been mentioned on social media groups that the power for the Crosstrek is lacking. The 0-60 mph acceleration time is situated at a bit-sluggish 8.1 seconds. 

Even though the engine remains unchanged, the tow rating is now up to 3500 lbs. A redesigned oil cooler and radiator fan boosted this lugging capability. Subaru diehards nationwide are thrilled with the potential of bringing a sweet boat along for the weekend. As the popularity of Overlanding rises, the Crosstrek WIlderness also boasts a roof rack with a 700-pound load capacity. 

Revamped, Recreational, & Light on the Space Age:

While “The Drive” car editorial team was checking out the Crosstrek Wilderness model, they reflected on their first impressions of the original. They deemed it “very decent looking” compared to standard models now in showrooms. The Wilderness variant offers extra black-cladded bits that contribute to an aggressive stance. 

The Wilderness version appears much like an outdoors-lover’s ideal go-to! As the crew continued along Utah’s Martian-esque landscape it even seemed a bit NASA-inspired. Gold accents inside provide extra visual appeal. The StarTrex water-repellent upholstery inside adds an outdoorsy flair. The infotainment screen is vertically oriented and tucked smartly into the dash.

The Wilderness Persona: Where Tech Meets Trek

The Crosstrek Wilderness’s 9.3-inch lift is even higher than some of the Land Rover Defenders. Car features expert Andrew Collins claimed that the suspension was outstanding while handling small-size rocks. The rear differential is now a very robust Subaru R167. The variable transmission is equipped with an extra top-notch pressure sensor. 

This precise component allows for better handling in low-traction situations. The “X-Mode” traction control setting doles out power for constantly changing conditions. The Drive’s car review experts claimed that the Yokohama Geolander tires resided at the top of the segment. They proved their worth while handling the challenging and sharp edges of rock beds. 

Let’s get to the Rally-Grade Dune Destroying!

Well, it may not be completely equipped to “destroy” dunes, but we sure enjoy the Wilderness’s candor! The low roofline is another very solid reason that the Crosstrek can make more sense than a taller SUV. It’s very easy to unload any extra camping gear or other weekend toys you may haul up top. This test driver claimed that he could see this model faring well on Moab’s slickrock trails.

Deep sand or mud could prove to be challenging for the Crosstrek Wilderness. The transmission cooler is a great addition for anyone taking on desert temps. Since a Crosstrek does not have quite as sturdy of control arms and tie rods, it can’t be pushed quite as hard as a Jeep. Conquering a hill packed with dirt was simple thanks to the X-Mode system.

Adventure-Grade Approved? The Subaru Crosstrek Wilderness Conclusion

Subaru has long been an acquired taste in the car business. That has changed quite a bit as of late, and issues like cabin noise have seen drastic improvements. The car also takes care of itself well when it comes to speeding down quite scary drops. The Extra Options package provides goodies such as a power moonroof and a 10-way power adjustable driver’s seat. 

What do you think of the 2024 Subaru Crosstrek Wilderness? Is it just right for the city dweller who still loves to kick up a bit of dust? Or does the low power factor not offer enough pull for you? Let us know what you think in the comments below, or check out another article about the standard Crosstrek.