Subaru Doubles Down with the 2024 Crosstrek Wilderness

The BRZ sports car is rear-wheel drive specifically to deliver classic sports car dynamics.  All other new models sold at Centennial Subaru have all-wheel drive and thus can be fairly adept after the pavement ends. When the off-pavement gets more challenging, the Outback, Crosstrek, and Forester are great at taking you further. And for owners of those models who have still found their limits, Subaru has created the Wilderness series. The latest model to get the Wilderness treatment is the Crosstrek, in which the Wilderness model is new for 2024.  

The TL;DR description of the model is what the Crosstrek is to the Impreza, the Wilderness is to the Crosstrek. The model has higher ground clearance, approach and departure angles, adjustments to the drivetrain, as well as interior and exterior enhancements. The result is a vehicle that gives you more confidence to tackle that deeply rutted trail, conquer that hill, and just plain go farther.

Drawing From the Best

The Crosstrek Wilderness benefits from a robust Subaru parts catalog. Its 2.5-liter boxer-4 comes from the Sport and Limited Crosstreks with the same 182 horsepower and 178 lb-ft of torque.  That is a gain of 30 ponies and 33 pounds of twist over the base models. Subaru then pulls the 4.11 final drive ratio from the Outback (compared to its normal 3.7) to enable more controlled low-speed ability. The paddle shifters of the CVT enable a Wilderness-specific set of pre-set ratios, which provides increased control when climbing a steep hill and pulling faster from a stop. Anticipating a greater workout for the transmission when things get rough, it gets its own cooler and more pressure sensors to monitor its operating temperature better.  Thanks to a stronger engine, a more robust rear differential, and a heavier-duty radiator fan, the Crosstrek Wilderness can now tow 3,500 pounds instead of the usual 1,500.

Getting Up There

While the stronger drivetrain is welcome, the chassis received the most attention. The Crosstrek’s 8.7-inch ground clearance is already higher than off-road focused models like the Ford Bronco Badlands and Toyota RAV4 TRD Off-Road (8.4 and 8.6 inches, respectively). Still, the Wilderness raises the ante to a lofty 9.3-inches. That puts the Wilderness among some pretty heady company.  Sure, you can get over 13 inches under you in the Bronco, but at a cost of over $90K. 

Hitting the ground are Yokohama Geolander All-Terrain 225/60R17 tires with plenty of object-absorbing sidewalls, wrapped around bespoke matte-black finish wheels. The front and rear bumpers were redesigned to further enhance approach and departure, which are now up to 18 degrees coming and 30.1 degrees going, with a 19.7-degree breakover angle. The unpainted bumpers are built for contact, as is the larger cladding all around.  These are places where scratches can be badges of honor. However, if your bumpers end up showing too much honor, they are designed with replaceable panels, so they can go back to looking new without being replaced entirely. 

X-MODE Enhancement

The dual-function X-MODE uses sensors and algorithms designed from experience to   optimize traction for varying conditions, including dirt & deep snow or mud. The system will also help the Crosstrek Wilderness climb. When the X-MODE system is activated, Low Speed / Low Ratio Gradient Control is automatically put on standby to sense when the vehicle is traveling on a steep incline at low speed. Upon such detention,  the system shifts the CVT to its lowest ratio (4.066:1), which, combined with the lower differential ratios, enhances low-speed drivability over rocks and other situations that require repeated on/off accelerator usage. Conversely, when the system detects a downgrade while X-mode is on and the speed is below 12 mph, Hill Descent Control will automatically engage individual wheel braking to control vehicle speed on the way down. the system automatically disengages when the accelerator pedal is pressed past 10%. Standard on all 2024 Crosstrek models, Active Torque Vectoring enhances handling stability on both road or trail.

An Interior to Handle What’s Outside

No matter what your activity is before you return to your Crosstrek Wilderness, you can be confident that the water- and stain-resistant Subaru StarTex® fabric will not only handle it but still feel comfortable. A removable water-resistant rear cargo tray is ready to take your wet and muddy gear. The tailgate features an LED light for better nighttime visibility.

Like all 2024 Crosstreks, the dash features the SUBARU STARLINK 11.6-inch Multimedia Plus system, accompanied by wireless Apple CarPlay® and wireless Android Auto™.  When engaged, X-MODE displays a roll-angle Indicator to help the driver judge potentially hazardous situations.

The 2024 Crosstrek Wilderness is designed to handle anything short of pounding boulders or running flat out in the desert.  Its hat trick is its ability to get you through the rough terrain and back while still having on-road manners you enjoy, not just endure. 

You will find a wide selection of Crosstrek Wilderness models in the Centennial Subaru inventory, as well as Wilderness versions of the Forester and Outback. If you have been longing for more off-road capability in your Subaru, visit Centennial Subaru and explore all the Wilderness models.