Why I Chose the 2025 Subaru Crosstrek Wilderness for My Adventures
- Dale Lauterback
- Aug 9
- 3 min read
When it comes to outdoor adventures, having the right vehicle can be just as important as the gear in your backpack. After countless trips down muddy back roads, up rocky forest trails, and across remote desert landscapes, I realized I needed something more capable—a reliable, fuel-efficient vehicle that could keep up with my sense of adventure.
I spent weeks researching, test-driving, and comparing a variety of vehicles, trying to strike the perfect balance between off-road capability, everyday practicality, and great gas mileage. After a lot of consideration, I finally found my match: the 2025 Subaru Crosstrek Wilderness.
The Search: What I Was Looking For
As a landscape and wildlife photographer, I needed a vehicle that could handle:
Off-Road Terrain – gravel roads, rocky trails, muddy turnouts, and snow. I wasn’t looking to be doing any rock crawling.
Fuel Efficiency – long road trips require a vehicle that won't break the bank at the pump.
Reliability – some of my trips take me hours from the nearest service station.
Cargo Space – for camera gear, tripods, camping gear, and off-grid power source.
Compact Size – something that can squeeze into narrow trailheads or urban parking lots.
SUVs like the Toyota RAV4 TRD Off-Road, Ford Bronco Sport, and Jeep Compass Trailhawk were on my radar, but each came with compromises—either in gas mileage, comfort, reliability, or price. When I got behind the wheel of the Crosstrek Wilderness, everything clicked.
Why the 2025 Subaru Crosstrek Wilderness?
The Wilderness edition of the Crosstrek takes everything that makes the standard Crosstrek great and turns it up a notch for outdoor exploration. Here’s what sold me:
1. Standard Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive (AWD)
A must-have for backcountry exploration. Whether it’s snow in the mountains or sand in the desert, this AWD system adds traction and confidence where other crossovers would hesitate.
2. 9.3 Inches of Ground Clearance
More clearance than most crossovers in its class, making it capable of handling rocky trails and uneven roads without scraping the undercarriage.
3. Upgraded Suspension and X-MODE® with Dual-Function Terrain Settings
X-MODE® enhances AWD performance on slippery or steep terrain. The Wilderness trim includes settings for snow/dirt and deep snow/mud—perfect for the unpredictable conditions I often face.
4. Fuel Economy
Even with its off-road upgrades, the Crosstrek Wilderness still delivers impressive fuel efficiency: Estimated 26 MPG city / 29 MPG highway – excellent for weekend getaways and long road trips.
5. Roof Rails with Higher Static Load Capacity
I often camp out of my vehicle or use a rooftop storage box. The Wilderness roof rails support up to 700 lbs static load, perfect for rooftop tents or hauling extra gear.
6. 2.5L SUBARU BOXER® Engine
With 182 horsepower, it’s a significant upgrade from the base Crosstrek engine. Enough power to climb mountain passes without feeling sluggish.
7. Durable Interior with Water-Resistant Upholstery
Spilled coffee, muddy boots, or wet gear? No problem. The StarTex® water-repellent upholstery is tough and easy to clean—an underrated lifesaver for photographers who don’t shy away from the elements.
8. EyeSight® Driver Assist Technology
Long hours on the road can lead to fatigue, so having adaptive cruise control, lane centering, and pre-collision braking gives me added peace of mind on those lengthy drives to and from remote locations.
9. Off-Road Styling and All-Terrain Tires
With rugged styling, all-terrain Yokohama Geolandar tires, and matte-black body cladding, it doesn’t just perform like an off-roader—it looks the part too.
10. Transmission and Gearing
The 2025 Crosstrek Wilderness comes with a Lineartronic® CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission), fine-tuned for off-road use with a revised 4.11 final drive ratio. This 8-Speed gearing gives it better low-end torque and enhanced climbing ability—perfect for steep grades and uneven terrain, and a big bonus when carrying heavy camera gear up into the mountains.
First Modification
My first modification before I drove off the lot was to have the dealer install a 2" Tow hitch. The 2025 Subaru Crosstrek Wilderness has a towing capacity of 3,500 pounds. This is significantly higher than the 1,500-pound towing capacity of other Crosstrek trims
Choosing the 2025 Subaru Crosstrek Wilderness has already changed the way I approach my photography adventures. It's reliable, rugged, and efficient, offering the freedom to chase early morning light deep in the forest or follow migrating birds through the desert without worrying if my vehicle can make it back.
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