After A Year Long Review Motor Trend Says The Subaru Crosstrek Wilderness Is Tough To Beat

Motor Trend was intrigued enough by the 2024 Crosstrek Wilderness that they kept one for a year to see what it is like as a daily driver. That year has now passed, and the headline of their review gives their verdict: “Tough to Beat.” The subhead elaborates: “12 months behind the wheel show the Crosstrek to be one of the best subcompact SUVs around.” Ewing Subaru of Plano gives you the details. 

The editor, who was the model’s caretaker, starts its year-long wrap-up by stating what the Crosstrek Wilderness isn’t. They state that it isn’t the sportiest model in its class nor the fastest, though they found tested 0-60 time of 7.9 seconds to be reasonable for the category. They also said it wasn’t the most spacious or luxurious, and they even took issue with some styling details. However, they follow that with: “For those who can accept losing an occasional stoplight drag race and who don’t much care if everyone thinks you look pretty all the time, there’s a whole lot else to love here.” 

Instead, the Crosstrek Wilderness is simply very good at how a subcompact crossover is likely to be used every day. “The seats (save for the middle rear one) are comfortable and feel relatively spacious for a subcompact SUV. You have physical buttons for the things you want physical buttons for but a big touchscreen for a modern feel.”  

The reviewer also states that it is a car you feel safe in and subsequently links to the NHTSA page on the Crosstrek, which shows the 5-Star Overall Rating for the model line and 5-star rating for the Wilderness’s frontal and side crash results. The Crosstrek model line also earned a TOP SAFETY PICK from the IIHS. 

They also imply that no sub-compact crossover will probably fill the bill if off-roading is your passion. However, for those to whom off-roading is simply a means to an end, the Crosstrek Wilderness can certainly hold its own when presented with challenging terrain, including unexpected deep snow, with its best-in-class 9.3-inch ground clearance.  

At the same time, they found the Crosstrek to be acceptably efficient, with a year-long combined mpg of 26.5, which closely aligns with the EPA’s combined estimate of 27.  

Motor Trend sums up their year-long evaluation of the Crosstrek Wilderness this way: “If you’re a single person or a young couple who desires a true jack of all trades, it’s hard to beat the Crosstrek. It’ll handle just about everything you might realistically need it to handle and then some. You’ll be content with it every time you slide behind the wheel, whether it’s a quick trip to the store or a days-long trip to a faraway destination. It’ll competently transport you through snow and ice and rain. It’ll climb mountains.” 

There are not many mountains around Plano, and snow and ice are certainly more prevalent in other parts of the country, but this car will take you to those places just fine.  

For all these reasons, the Ewing Subaru of Plano inventory keeps a good selection of Crosstrek Wilderness models in stock and plenty of Forester Wilderness models if you desire a bit more room. We invite you to test drive them both.