Is Subaru The Best Off-Road Brand? They Lose In 3 Vehicle Segments Now

What happened to Subaru being the best off-road brand for outdoor enthusiasts? They have dropped in the best off-road SUV category except for one segment. A recent report from iSeeCars says Subaru is not the best off-road model in three vehicle segments; the subcompact, small SUV, and midsize SUV categories.

In the subcompact SUV category, the 2024 Subaru Crosstrek only ranks third best behind the Jeep Compass and Jeep Renegade. But the 2024 Crosstrek Wilderness has yet to arrive, and that will change when the rugged outdoor-themed trim level comes this fall.

Related Story: Subaru's 3 Hot AWD Wilderness Trims Are Far From Equal, And Which Is The Best For You?

In the small SUV category, The Jeep Wrangler and Jeep Wrangler Unlimited beat the number three Subaru Outback and number four Subaru Forester. The Outback and Forester Wilderness are included and still get beat by the two Jeep SUVs.

The Subaru Outback is the only Subaru model that wins in the best off-road Crossover category. And the Subaru Forester is the second-best model. The Mazda CX-9 is number three, and Jeep Cherokee and Jeep Grand Cherokee are four and five, respectively.

Check Out These Three Related Stories:

The Best Off-Road SUVs - Subaru Crosstrek, Outback Wilderness Are Top Picks

Subaru Vs. Jeep - 3 Reasons Why Subaru Is Now The Best Off-Road Brand

Is Subaru The New Extreme AWD Off-Road Brand?

We aren't surprised that Jeep takes the top spots in some categories because the brand is known for its off-road vehicles. But the Subaru Crosstrek is far above the Jeep Compass and Jeep Renegade in off-road ability.

The Subaru Crosstrek doesn't just come standard with Subaru's Symmetrical all-wheel-drive system. It also comes standard with X-Mode for additional all-weather capability. And the Crosstrek Sport and Crosstrek Limited trims come with dual-ruction X-Mode with Deep Snow/ Deep/Mud modes. They offer extreme all-terrain abilities that the Compass and Jeep Renegade do not have. 

When the 2024 Subaru Crosstrek arrives this fall, it will feature more off-road capability from the factory.

Related Story: The All-New 2024 Subaru Crosstrek Wilderness Trim, Pricing, And Model Guide is Here

The Crosstrek Wilderness is the Subaru of America's "go-anywhere" all-terrain capable subcompact SUV, and it's the ideal vehicle for all weather conditions with standard Symmetrical all-wheel-drive, 9.3 inches of ground clearance, X-Mode, and dual function X-Mode. In addition, a younger demographic of customers with active lifestyles will use it for extreme off-pavement adventures and summer sports.

The most rugged and trail-capable Crosstrek has an upgraded suspension, all-terrain tires, more prominent wheel arch cladding, a metal front skid plate, unique hex-design LED fog lights, and an anti-glare hood decal in a matte-black finish. It has everything you want in an off-road-ready subcompact SUV.

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Denis Flierl brings over thirty years of combined auto industry and automotive journalism experience to Torque News readers. He is an accredited Rocky Mountain Automotive Press (RMAP) member. The last twelve years have been spent with Torque News, covering Subaru vehicles and the latest news. Check back daily for his expert Subaru analysis. You'll find the latest stories on the Torque News Subaru page. Follow Denis on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. 

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