2024 Subaru Crosstreks Compared: Sport vs Wilderness

We are comparing the 2024 Subaru Crosstrek Sport and Wilderness, both part of the third generation of this popular model. The Crosstrek is particularly beloved in New England and the Pacific Northwest, but the key question is whether the Wilderness, costing a few thousand dollars more, offers significantly more capability than the Sport. The Wilderness trim, new to the Crosstrek this year, has previously been seen on the Forester and Outback. The Sport is noted for its stylish features, including mustard yellow accents, dark gray 18-inch wheels, and sapphire blue paint. Overall, there haven't been major changes in this third generation compared to previous models from the past decade.

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Presenter: Clifford Atiyeh

#subaru #crosstrek #wilderness
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0:00 The Subaru Crosstrek Sport vs. Wilderness
0:37 Sport Styling
1:19 Wilderness Styling
2:09 Exterior Dimensions
2:48 Front End Comparison
3:18 Powertrain Options
3:48 Fuel Economy
4:01 Cargo Space
4:30 Inside the Sport
5:18 Inside the Wilderness
6:03 Rear Seats
6:24 Driving the Wilderness
9:05 Off-road with the Wilderness
10:35 Driving the Sport
15:18 Off-road with the Sport
17:11 Infotainment
18:22 Pricing
18:54 Verdict

[cargurus]

Regrettably, there is an error in one of the on-screen graphics regarding fuel economy on the Wilderness trim. At 3:53, the MPG for the Wilderness reads as 21/26/23, and it should read as 25/29/27. The stated mileage is actually for the Outback Wilderness. Thanks to @Christian-kj4ox for catching the error!

[suespony]

So just bought a 2025 outback limited, while I was at the dealership I noticed a bunch of cars in a lot, basically in a field next door. I asked the salesman what that was about. He said they had over 150 cars get damaged by a hailstorm. I asked him what they were going to do with them. Anyway to make this story shorter, I ended up also buying a new 2024 Crosstrek sport for 18k. Was to good a deal to pass up. Yes it has some dents, but not that bad really.

[Scotto]

Great review. I purchased a Wilderness 3 months ago and absolutely love it. Being in Las Vegas, the larger radiator, addition of an oil cooler and larger cooling fins in the rear differential are all huge pluses for long-term reliability (The CVT Transmissions usually fail due to burned AT oil which the cooler will prevent)

[abecollins]

I'm loving my 2024 Crosstrek Limited 2.5L. This is my first ever Subaru having owned several Honda and Toyota vehicles over the decades. I briefly considered the Crosstrek Wilderness but 98% of my driving is in town or freeway road trips with the very occasional dirt and gravel trail throughout Colorado. With the added standard convenience features plus an option package my Limited is "fully loaded" beyond the Sport or Wilderness. I'm not a fan of the plastic cladding on any of the Subaru models so I went with the Magnetite Gray Pearl paint scheme so the black plastic cladding doesn't stand out as much. The Crosstrek is small compared to what I'm used to so that means being smarter about how we pack for road trips. I do like the 33 MPG freeway fuel economy and the large 16.6 gallon gas tank.

[jjr]

The led in the hatch is available aftermarket, you just pop out the trim piece on the sport, plug in the wire that is under the cover, and pop the light in. In the back seat although there is no vent in the center console, there are some vents under the front seats, that direct heat or ac to the rear foot well.

[knightryder]

While engine braking in paddle shift mode may not be bad on the engine in that Crosstrek, it's very hard on the CVT. In that regard, a brake job is a lot cheaper than replacing a CVT transmission. 😉

[keithlea]

Just bought that same 24 crosstrek wilderness. Just love it. Looking forward to overlanding in it this summer.

[witsendcottage]

Needs more sound insulation. Could use a HUD too

[denniss]

It would be nice to show the screen while driving just so we know what the screen is trying to tell us ... I don't know how to interpret the screen that I believe is on all Subarus ... Please stop the noise (music?) .... tks

[AmyPezzicara]

May I please have a hybrid Crosstrek with a more modern interior? I need the low height for kayaks.

[Stevo]

I’d love to see a Crosstrek Wilderness Hybrid. And not the old Subaru hybrid but something done in collaboration with Toyota. Imagine getting RAV4 like horsepower, torque, and MPGs in a Crosstrek.

[barrygunning]

There had been a lot of discussion regard the "tow points" on the Wilderness model on the Crosstrek Forum. Evidently they are NOT rated or designed as "recovery points" and you could do severe damage to the unibody if they are used for recovery purposes. While a lot of people use their Crosstreks off road, and it's pretty capable, they are not a true off road rated vehicle for a variety of reasons. FWIW I do own a 2024 Alpine Green Crosstrek Sport, and it's a great car, but if I need to go off road or deep snow I'm taking my 4Runner.

[jadewulf]

Great review. Prefer Wilderness for towing, ground clearance and sportex seats.
But I don’t like the gold accents.

[cams]

Almost the same car honestly except for gas mileage and cladding. I wish they offered the startex interior seating in the Sport like they used to as it makes sense for the reasons why you own a Crosstrek. Thanks for the detailed review. BTW, couldn't agree more on the CVT and engine braking. Its an overlooked feature that if you live in the mountains and drive in the snow often come in handy.

[gabrielfelixmunoz]

FINALLY SOMEONE PUTS THEM HEAD TO HEAD

[ashleylitebrite]

How is the ingress and egress with this Crosstrek Wilderness?

[ericpizarro]

I want the 2026 Hybrid Forester, if it will ever comes….. I owns a 2021 Crosstrek Sport. As much as I would love to get the wilderness model, I am not an off road guy so, will wait for my other option. By the way great review.

[richard.cohen]

I have a 2022 Legacy Premium And Ive been thing about a cross trek and my legacy has everything that the cross trek has plus the power seat and it gets better gas mileage so I'm going to keep my legacy for one more year and wait for the hybrid model comes out in 2025or later, good reporting

[mhadman]

Great reviews!
I have the 2024/25 Crosstrek Wilderness on the way in a month. I dont know what year it will be but don't anticipate any major changes from 24.
I fell in love with this car on my first test drive.

[Christian-kjox]

Your fuel economy on the wilderness is wrong. Its 25/29/27 (CTY/HWY/CMBN)