2024 Subaru Crosstrek Wilderness Gets All Campy At Utah’s Zion National Park

By Casey Williams

I woke up in a tent this morning with coyotes howling near Zion National Park in Utah thinking about the day ahead. If you’ve never been to Zion, it’s extraordinary with valleys of sheer rock high and deep, but I didn’t just come to awe and eat. I came to drive the 2024 Subaru Crosstrek Wilderness in its natural habitat.

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First Impressions

Wilderness editions are Subaru’s most capable line of vehicles and the compact Crosstrek crossover is distinguished by angry black body cladding, black anti-glare hood patch, and 17” matte black wheels shod in all-terrain tires. Given Subaru owners are an active bunch, the roof rack is rated 700lbs. for pop-up tents. A drive from camp to the park confirms it’s not just for looks.

The 2.5-liter horizontally-opposed “Boxer” four-cylinder engine routes a peppy 182 horsepower and 178 lb.-ft. of torque to a continuously variable transmission. The smallest Wilderness tows up to 3,500 lbs. – plenty for a small camper or a couple of jet skis. Fuel economy rates 25/29-MPG city/highway. Fat tires and ride height diminished MPGs.

It’s a slow slog through the park, but I fill time examining the car’s interior.

A giant tablet-style touchscreen takes center stage, but proper volume and tuning knobs plus buttons for key climate functions flank it for convenience. I’m also a fan of the heated StarTex “vegan leather” seats that are all-day comfortable and easy to wipe off dirt. A power sunroof and Harman Kardon audio put a soundtrack to it. Looking closer, I notice copper accents on the steering wheel, shift knob, gauges, and seat stitching.

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Getting Dirty

Not far out of the park, we hit dirt roads, climb rocky trails, and skip pavement until dinnertime.

Wilderness ground clearance increases from the Crosstrek’s standard 8.7” to 9.3” to clear ruts, logs, and even parking lot speed bumps. Add Dual Mode X-Mode, a traction control system that allows the car’s AWD system to claw through deep mud/snow and use hill descent control to automatically creep down steep inclines. The suspension soaks up rough roads and articulates over rocky trails en-route to our lunch overlook.

It was a busy morning, clawing up and down rugged trails deep rutted by Jeeps and Broncos. I had to straddle the deepest ruts to keep the car from banging skid plates, but this compact car that’s very happy commuting to work daily was doing very trucky things. There are many more miles to pound.

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Final Verdict

Even more than Jeep drivers, Subaru owners take their cars off-road. They also attack freeways, dodge potholes, carry dogs, and take kids to bassoon lessons. Features that make it capable also make it a very nice car. Vegan leather repels trail dust, but also welcomes dog dribbles and baby burbles. Under-hatch lights aid loading gear and unpack strollers at grandma’s.

Wilderness represents the top Crosstrek trim, but is the least expensive way to enter the club. A base Crosstrek starts at $24,995 with the Wilderness rising from $31,995. That’s a lot of car for the money, whether you live in Utah or Utica.

Storm Forward!

-Send comments to Casey at [email protected]; follow him on YouTube @AutoCasey.

Likes

· All-road capability

· Butch style

· Everyday practicality

Dislikes

· No NAV

· No front camera

· Limited production

2024 Subaru Crosstrek Wilderness Five-passenger, AWD Crossover

Powertrain: 2.5-liter H4, CVT

Output: 182hp/178 lb.-ft. torque

Suspension f/r: Ind/Ind

Wheels f/r: 18”/18” alloy

Brakes f/r: disc/disc

Towing: 3,500 lbs.

Fuel economy: 25/29 mpg city/hwy

Assembly: Lafayette, IN Base price: $31,995