The Great Debate, Best SUVs For Off-Roading, Subaru Beats Jeep, Ford, Toyota

The debate rages on.

Are you going off the beaten path? Which are the best new SUVs for taking off-road? A new report from iSeeCars, a trusted resource for all things automotive, reveals that the Subaru Crosstrek, Subaru Outback, and Subaru Forester beat the competition from Jeep, Ford, and Toyota in one key area—ground clearance. 

It's a crucial feature for off-road enthusiasts and potential SUV buyers alike.

But there's more to it than that. 

First, I'll list the best new compact and subcompact SUVs, then delve into what sets Subaru apart from the competition. 

iSeeCars says, "The best off-road subcompact SUV is the Subaru Crosstrek Wilderness (9.3 inches of ground clearance), with the Subaru Outback Wilderness (SUV) being the best off-road small and compact SUV (9.5 inches of ground clearance)." 

The Subaru Forester Wilderness, which is 9.2 inches in height off the ground, is second best for off-road adventures next to the Outback. 

Here is iSeeCar's list of the best off-road subcompact SUVs.

• Subaru Crosstrek (Wilderness) 9.3 inches
• Jeep Renegade 8.7 inches
• Jeep Compass 8.6 inches
• Mitsubishi Outlander 8.5 inches
• Fiat 500X 7.9 inches

Note: the standard Crosstrek trim levels all have 8.7 inches of ground clearance, still beating the competition (equaling the Renegade). 

Here is iSeeCar's list of the best off-road small SUVs.

• Subaru Outback (Wilderness) 9.5 inches
• Subaru Forester (Wilderness) 9.2 inches
• Jeep Cherokee 8.8 inches
• Ford Bronco Sport 8.6 inches
• Kia Sportage 8.3 inches

But there's much more than ground clearance. What sets the Crosstrek, Outback, and Forester Wilderness apart from the competition?

The great debate is settled here. 

1. Off-road wheels with all-terrain tires

Without the right tires, you aren't going very far. Subaru includes all-terrain tires on all Wilderness trims. They aren't an expensive add-on; you don't have to go to the off-road performance store to get them. 

Subaru says standard 17-inch matte black-finish alloy off-road wheels "add powerful, practical style" and feature all-terrain Yokohama Geolander tires for improved mud, snow, gravel, and rock performance.

2. The Subaru Boxer engine

The Subaru Boxer engine, with its unique flat and low design, provides a lower center of gravity than the Jeep, Ford, and Toyota models. This design keeps the Subaru Crosstrek, Outback, and Forester stable on steep inclines and uneven terrain, a key advantage in off-road driving. Subaru is the only automaker that offers a unique Boxer design for every one of its vehicles. 

3. Revised drivetrain gearing

The Wilderness trims have a lower final-drive ratio for improved low-speed climbing designed for serious off-roaders, with up to a 38-degree grade and a more substantial rear differential than standard models.

4. Subaru's extra ground clearance combined with a front skid plate, improved angles, and dual-function X-Mode.

The Subaru Wilderness rises above rough terrain and adverse conditions with extra ground clearance, a standard front skid plate, and unique bumpers that help improve approach and departure angles. Standard dual-function X-Mode provides settings that can optimize traction for varying conditions, including dirt, deep snow, mud, and deep sand.

5. 3,500-pound towing capacity

If you have cargo and bikes or larger equipment like boats, the Wilderness trims let you haul the gear you need for your latest expedition with 3,500 pounds of towing capacity on Crosstrek and Outback and 3000 lbs. on Forester.

Check out my report on Crosstrek towing vs the competition here. 

6. Standard roof rails

The standard roof rails on the Subaru Wilderness models can handle up to 700 pounds of static load for bikes, kayaks, or even a rooftop tent. Extra tie-down points provide even more cargo-hauling versatility, so you can bring any gear you need.

7. Anti-Glare hood design

All three Subaru Wilderness models feature a matte-black hood decal that helps reduce glare for a better view of the trail and adds an extra style element.

8. Water-Repellent StarTex upholstery

The Wilderness family of off-road vehicles' interior features advanced StarTex water-repellent upholstery for high-quality comfort, durability, and easy clean-up after a dirty day on the trail.

Don't leave yet; there's still more.

9. Subaru's Symmetrical all-wheel-drive technology.

It isn't an afterthought for any Subaru vehicle. It comes standard on every Subaru Wilderness, and when coupled with X-Mode, you have an off-road connection unlike any other SUV. 

Subaru's all-wheel-drive system provides traction effectively by distributing the engine power to all four wheels in a balanced manner. The transmission sits back from the front axle within the wheelbase. With the combination of Symmetrical all-wheel-drive and Subaru's horizontally opposed Boxer engine, the entire power train is mounted with side-to-side symmetry.

Subaru doesn't adapt all-wheel-drive components to a front- or rear-wheel-drive vehicle. Many automakers adapt their "AWD" system to fit a front-drive configuration, and thus, they function passively, transferring torque away from the main drive wheels only when they slip.

The competition equipped with such systems operates in two-wheel drive when there is no slippage. They can be better than a front-drive car but don't provide the "full-time" benefits and road handling ability that Subaru's full-time all-wheel-drive system provides.

For outdoor enthusiasts, Subaru of America offers the 2025 Outback Wilderness, 2024 Subaru Crosstrek Wilderness, and Forester Wilderness outdoor-themed trim levels. They are different from every other subcompact or small SUV. 

One last thing.

Beware if you take your Subaru Crosstrek, Outback, or Forester off-road. You could face a $5,000 fine or imprisonment from the National Park Service. Here's one Crosstrek owner's experience. Check out my report here. 

Do you take your SUV off-road? Your experiences are invaluable. Click the red Add New Comment link below and share your adventures with us. We're eager to hear from you.

I am Denis Flierl, a Senior Torque News Writer since 2012. I’ve invested over 13 years in the automotive industry in a consulting role, working with every major car brand. I am an experienced Rocky Mountain Automotive Press member. You'll find my expert Subaru analysis here. Follow me on my X SubaruReport, All Subaru, WRXSTI, @DenisFlierl, Facebook, and Instagram.

Photo credit: Subaru USA