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When you think of Subaru, you picture family cars and SUVs. Dirt roads and rock crawling probably aren’t the images in your head. However, the Crosstrek Wilderness changes everything you previously thought about the manufacturer. Should you consider it for your next purchase? Here’s a 2024 Subaru Crosstrek Wilderness review to answer your questions.
What’s to Like About the 2024 Subaru Crosstrek Wilderness?
First, let’s hit the highlights of the 2024 Subaru Crosstrek Wilderness. This trim is Subaru’s attempt at off-road adventures with their famously reliable vehicles. Here are five pros you should consider before buying this vehicle.
1. Price Point
New car prices have skyrocketed in the last few years, leaving buyers questioning when relief will come. The price tag doesn’t help if you buy a truck or SUV. However, this year’s Subaru Crosstrek Wilderness has a $33,540 MSRP, thus flipping the script on typical off-road SUVs.
If the cost is too high, take advantage of dealer incentives and other strategies to cut the price. Some buyers have kept the out-the-door price under $35,000 with clever dealing.
2. Off-roading Prowess
If you wanted an off-road Subaru, the Outback was your best option for nearly three decades. That said, the 2024 Subaru Crosstrek Wilderness elevates your outdoor experiences with targeted upgrades. The crossover SUV has what you need to survive the mud and gravel.
Going off the beaten path becomes much easier with an excellent suspension and ride height. You get about 9.3 inches off the ground, reducing the impact of rocks and scrapes.
3. Suspension
The suspension deserves a closer look because the ride height shines above the competing vehicles. For instance, the 9.3-inch ground clearance eclipses the Toyota 4Runner’s standard 9-inch ride height. It also beats the Jeep Wrangler, the Ford Bronco Sport and other off-road SUV foes.
Another feather in the cap is the vehicle’s approach angle. Your trip becomes much more manageable with 20° on the approach and 33° on the departure.
4. Road Trip Ease
Before you get to the mud bogs and dunes, you might need to drive a long way. Therefore, comfort significantly affects any 2024 Subaru Crosstrek Wilderness review. You’ll find comfortable seats in this vehicle to support your body on the entire drive.
Subaru has a long reputation for cozy interiors and easy driving, and the Crosstrek Wilderness embodies just that. Plus, each seat gets waterproof covers, protecting them from inevitable spills or raindrops.
5. Safety
Safety and off-roading cross paths with this vehicle because of its sturdy frame. Each Subaru vehicle has a beefed-up frame, making the Crosstrek Wilderness less vulnerable to impact.
The five-star rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration should tell you everything about the crossover’s reliability. While great for off-roading, the Crosstrek Wilderness is great for college kids, expectant parents and first-time drivers.
Where Does the Vehicle Fall Short?
While the 2024 Subaru Crosstrek Wilderness has plenty to rave about, its review deserves some critiques. Here are five areas where the vehicle can improve for future editions.
1. Towing Capacity
First, off-road enthusiasts should consider the towing capacity. Subaru says its 2024 Crosstrek Wilderness tows up to 3,500 pounds, depending on the trim level. You could also need trailer brakes to achieve this weight on your hitch.
While it improves upon the base model, the vehicle falls short compared to its fellow off-road SUVs. For instance, the Nissan Pathfinder has a 6,000-lb towing capacity and costs about $5,000 more.
2. Speed
If you want a NASCAR-level ride, the Crosstrek Wilderness isn’t for you. The crossover SUV only gets 182 horsepower, so don’t expect to take it for a high-powered spin. Plus, the 178 lb-ft of torque is nothing to write home about.
You might expect a torque upgrade for an off-road vehicle, but the standard trims are the same. For reference, the Jeep Wrangler gives drivers around 260 lb-ft of torque, though you can upgrade to 470 with one of the boosted powertrains.
3. Fuel Mileage
Fuel economy is a priority when looking at vehicles, regardless if you take them off-road. With research, development and better engines, customers expect to maximize efficiency. The 2024 Subaru Crosstrek Wilderness gets about 29 miles per gallon (mpg) on the highway and 25 in the city.
While these numbers aren’t wrong, they aren’t as good as the other models. For instance, the base and premium models get 34 mpg on the highway and 27 mpg in the city. The Crosstrek Wilderness also struggles to match other SUVs on the market. Kia Sportage owners get about 42 mpg, meaning they stop less for gas.
4. Basic Interior Design
If you’re into design, this Suburau won’t do much for you. After all, it’s not like you’re driving a Ferrari or a Lamborghini. The interior feels functional yet basic, giving you minimal improvement from the other trims. Paying more for a vehicle should lead to much better seats and features, but the changes aren’t noticeable.
That said, there is some good news with this vehicle. The Crosstrek Wilderness has an LED cargo lamp that shines brightly under the night sky. Plus, it won’t add too much heat when temperatures are already high. Plus, you get some modern touches with copper-finish accents on the upholstery.
5. Engine Reliability
One issue you may run into with the Crosstrek Wilderness is the engine. Subaru motors have a mediocre reputation for reliability, so don’t be surprised if it happens in this crossover. With this manufacturer, owners have reported issues like dry starts. If this occurs, you may have a leak and insufficient oil to lubricate all the parts.
Another oil problem with cars from this manufacturer is using too much oil. Your 2024 Subaru Crosstrek Wilderness may need a regular mechanic’s review to ensure you don’t have a bad oil pump or piston ring. The last thing you want in the woods is a broken-down car, so this problem is worth considering.
Final Thoughts on the 2024 Subaru Crosstrek Wilderness
When you go to the Subaru dealership, you can almost guarantee you’ll drive a safe and reliable vehicle. However, you may have yet to drive one of these cars on off-road terrain. How do they stack up to its Jeep, Ford and Toyota competitors?
At the end of the day, the Crosstrek Wilderness is a solid vehicle for beginner’s off-roading. You can take it to easy trails and tow light trailers reliably. The price is attractive for what you get, and you get Subaru’s famous reliability. If you had to nitpick, you might say the car doesn’t have quite the off-road juice that the Jeep Wrangler or Ford Bronco has.
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Author
Jack Shaw is a senior writer at Modded. Jack is an avid enthusiast for keeping up with personal health and enjoying nature. He has over five years of experience writing in the men's lifestyle niche, and has written extensively on topics of fitness, exploring the outdoors and men's interests. His writings have been featured in SportsEd TV, Love Inc., and Offroad Xtreme among many more publications.
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