2024 Subaru Crosstrek Wilderness - Bottom Line Review

TRAIL TUNED JUNIOR URBAN WAGON: The desire to escape a pandemic prompted a pandemonium of asphalt jungle evasion. A comprehensive all-wheel drive line-up already gave the Pleiades Six Star a huge edge in the outdoor adventure driving segment. Tackling more remote routes called for trail specific tuning, which was first performed on the Outback wagon followed by the Forester compact SUV.

As with the natural evolution of things, beyond the base camp fitments finally come to the recently re-designed cute ute of the family, the 2024 Subaru Crosstrek Wilderness.

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WHAT: 2024 Subaru Crosstrek Wilderness 2.5L third generation subcompact crossover interpretation of the Impreza sportback wagon, built on the Subaru Global Platform GU, replacing the second generation GT Crosstrek .

Standard Power: 2.5L DOHC 16V DI gas flat-4 = 182 hp/ 178 lb-ft @ 3700 r.p.m. + continuously variable transmission + asymmetrical all-wheel drive. This powertrain + drivetrain is shared with the Subaru Forester compact SUV and standard Outback sport wagon.

WHAT (A) STYLING DIFFERENCE: The 2024 Subaru Crosstrek is a case of trickle up influences. It continues life as an Impreza compact sportback on platform shoes, retaining the swept back windscreen and tall greenhouse profile. External dimensions haven't budged much. Across the line the more notable changes include slimmer Impreza headlamps and full boomerang taillamps extended by inboard lateral forks. The taller hood slopes to more creased fender edges. Rear quarter panels are more emphatically flared. The wider lower liftgate license plate bowl splays outwards, and the grab shelf is smoothed out. The grille remains one of the slimmer hexagons in the business. The slightly bolder beltline spill-over maintains a subtle crease.

"Wilderness" Ruggedized Mini Wagon: The bronze against white mountain peak fender and lower right tailgate badging announce the third model to represent Subaru's most trail adventurous trim. The same bronze flash is seen on the roof rack pillars and the bumper vertical stops. There is nothing subtle about cladding, which eclipses even the Outback and Forester Wilderness utes, replete with the lower body serrations, lower front door model designation and letters "SUBARU" embossed into the rear bumper cover.

WHY: An urban ute which looks and acts the active adventure role.

WHEN: On-Sale (in the U.S.) since late Spring 2024

WHERE: Subaru new vehicle dealers

WHERE MADE: Lafayette, Indiana, U.S.A

WHERE TO: Standard Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive features a nominal 60:40% full time torque split. I[ntelligent] and S[port] i[ntelligent] drive modes vary throttle response and simulated shifting.

+1 Selectable X-Mode snow & dirt and deep snow & mud modes cut wheel slippage by applying ABS earlier on uphill slopes. Going down the ravine X-Mode VDC signals ABS to simulate low gearing.

HOW ROADWORTHY: The FB25D powerplant from the second generation Subaru Crosstrek Sport has been tweaked for a broader torque curve. Connected to the Lineartronic chain spun CVT the 2024 Crosstrek 2.5L snaps off more authentic shift steps while the Wilderness trim unique shorter final drive enhances throttle pep.

Despite clearing the ground by nearly ten inches, more relaxed spring rates rock less given a stiffer structure and the damping is more progressive rather than abrupt. While the helm remains numb, it has improved on center wind and makes parking tidier. Friction from the disc binders expects a fair bit of pedal prodding.

However, the real transformation with the Mk.3 Crosstrek is has to be the geometric improvement in noise, body jitter and front bucket seat rock reduction. The rugged looks belie a level of NVH refinement to run with the class leaders.

-1 Idle start/ stop jostling more noticeable with the more hushed cabin.

Complete independence at each wheel benefits from stiffer bushings. Body rocking has been quelled and a less rippled ride is delivered by the Mk.2 Crosstrek.  Electric assisted steering nearly reacts slightly exaggerated to low effort inputs. Only some languid pedal response diminishes tidy slowing by the brake rotors at the corners. The new Crosstrek Wilderness, despite the all-terrain rubber, is markedly more hushed than its predecessor.

HOW FAR: 25 combined miles per gallon fuel economy; 481 highway miles range

HOW BIG/ LITTLE: √ 5 Occupant 2+3 seating. 60/40% split flat folding Row 2 seatbacks, seatback mount releases.

• +1 Slim door sills make Subaru Crosstrek Wilderness ingress & egress painless.
• Upright seating position and low cowl enhance fore view.

- For Comparison's Sake:

• 104.9"-inch Wheelbase: 1.1" > Jeep Compass Trailhawk
• Maximum cargo capacity: 8% < Jeep Compass
• 2nd Row legroom: 1.8" < Jeep Compass Trailhawk
• 9.3" Ground clearance: 0.8" > Jeep Compass Trailhawk
• 3500 lbs. Towing: = Jeep Compass Trailhawk

HOW USEFUL: The adept at fording 2024 Subaru Crosstrek is a hungry cargo holder as well.

√ 60/40% split folding 2nd Row seat backs; √ Cargo bay wall ring-style hooks; √ Cargo-area 12V outlet; +1 Low cowl and and power folding rear outboard headrests aid outward view; +1 Non-intrusive cargo area wheel arch

Cabin storage = √ Steep angled lower center stack handheld device bin w/ USB port; √ 4 cup, 4 bottle holders (d00r pockets)

+1 Tall + wide liftgate cargo load aperture w/ minimal wheel arch intrusion

-1 No power liftgate option; Short door pockets; No overhead sunglasses bin

HOW SAFE: √ 8 airbags; √ IIHS Top Safety Pick; √ Rear camera w/ predictive grid; √ Blind spot, rear cross traffic & lane departure warning; √ Auto parking brake hold; √ LED adaptive swivel headlamps, auto high beam.

Advanced Driver Assistance:

EYESIGHT^TM suite STANDARD on all models = √ Pedestrian detection braking; √ Forward collision avoidance braking & emergency steering; √ Lane Departure warning & keep assist; √ Adaptive Cruise Control; √  Lead vehicle start alert; √ Automatic High beam LED headlamps.

Included with Wilderness (optional on lesser): ♦ Blind Spot detection; ♦ Rear cross traffic warning; ♦ Lane Change Assist; ♦ Steering adaptive LED headlamps

• Additional mono camera assists with cross-path object identification
• +1 Accurate lane tracking, above-head console system activation / de-activation switches
• -1 Slow to resume speed adaptive cruise control

HOW PEOPLE FRIENDLY: The third generation Subaru Crosstrek cabin follows the mold of the latest Subaru Impreza. Blued grey tiered dash, door and armrest soft padding blend with darker hard panels. Metallic bound gloss black is strictly reserved to the center portrait media and center console transmission shifter frames.

Switches and dials have been incorporated into the available oversized touch portrait media screen. Personal electronics storage and connectivity have entered the 21st century. Primary control switches, such as the center console seat heat toggles, retain a basic look & feel, with blank covers conspicuous. Panel fit is more even than in the past, but there is still coarseness to the sheen. As a concession to modernity and space saving, the traditional center console hand parking brake finally loses out to a toggle style switch.

√ StarTex water repellent leatherette seats + bronze contrast stitching, "WILDERNESS" etched headrests; √ Heated, power adjust 10-way driver (optional), 4-way manual passenger seats; √ 4 power windows x full express; √ Auto climate control - 2 zone; √ Leather tilt + telescoping steering; √ 2nd Row and aft dark tint privacy glass; √ Power moon-roof (optional); √  Manual tilt & telescoping steering wheel; √ Damped glove box door.

• +1: Front seats don't rock anymore, being welded directly to floor.

Cool Gizmo(s): √ 11.6" inch center stack portrait Starlink touch infotainment display

Details Done Right: √ Light + dark gray, dimpled vinyl seating; √ Bronze contrast stitching on seats, armrests, shifter boot, steering wheel; √ Matte metallic and piano gloss black accent panels; √ Dual analog needle dial gauges w/ bronze bezels; √ Bronze vertical steering wheel spoke; √ Flush door and center console toggle switchgear; √ bronze framed "Wilderness" mountain ridge logo all-weather floor & cargo mats; √ Dark mesh headliner.

Nearly Non-Descript: -1 Hard plastic instrument cluster hood, forward door armrests, Hard door pocket linings; Hard plastic cabin pillars; No rocker panel covers; Hard instrument cluster binnacle hood; Thin cargo bay carpet; No bronze "Wilderness" seat and door card tags.

HOW CONNECTED: √ 11.6" Starlink Multimedia Plus portrait oriented, upper mid dash embedded, touch LCD infotainment screen w/ OTA updates; √ Rotary audio volume dial, selection, defroster & Home screen switches ; √ Bluetooth, hands-free communications; √ SMS messaging; √ wireless Android Auto + Apple CarPlay; √ Starlink Apps; √ USB-A x 2, USB-C x 2, 12V x 1; √ Mobile device near field communications (NFC); √ Qi inductive charging pad

+1 High definition color graphics; Fingerprints aren't so obvious

-1 Sun glare prone

Audibly: √ 10 speaker, 432 W Harman Kardon w Clari-Fi DSP and GreenEdge (optional) = Punchy low frequency with low distortion, crystalline treble, impressive soundstage depth, filling volume.

HOW "APP" -LICABLE: (mobile powered)

• Starlink Apps: √ Chimani, an onboard guide to landmark travel; √ Ebird ornithological identifier favoring Audubon members; √ Eve Connect monitors connected home security and climate.

By Subscription: √ SiriusXM (90 days trial); √ Sirius TravelLink apps (4 months included); √ Starlink Connected Services: Safety Plus (3 years trial), Security Plus (6 months trial), Concierge & Wi-Fi (through AT&T).

HOW MUCH: $35,810 = as tested 2022 Subaru Crosstrek Wilderness 2.5L AWD suggested retail price

WHAT'S MISSING: Toned down lane marking approach warning; Better body fitting front seats; Cargo bay power port; Better fuel economy ^{(Fault A/T tires, shorter final drive)}

ANY COMPETITION: Jeep Compass AWD: +1 roomier cabin, more cargo space, locking center differential; Mazda CX-30 AWD: +1 steering heft & accuracy, orthopedists seats, prestige materials.