Why did Subaru launch the Outback, Forester, and Crosstrek Wilderness trim levels? Aren't the standard models with the automaker's all-wheel-drive and X-Mode off-road ready?
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When Subaru launched the Outback Wilderness in 2021 and Forester Wilderness in 2022, they were still determining how they would sell. Now the 2024 Crosstrek Wilderness is ready for outdoor enthusiasts.
Are the 2023 Subaru Outback Wilderness, 2023 Forester Wilderness, and 2024 Crosstrek Wilderness considerably better than the standard models? According to sales, they are better.
Aren't the standard models with the automaker's Symmetrical all-wheel-drive system and X-Mode all-terrain technology off-road ready? A report from Automotive News (by subscription) says Subaru says no because some customers want to get further off the grid.
"We build these vehicles for our adventure-seeking customers," Garrick Goh, planning manager for the Crosstrek, said of the 2024 Crosstrek Wilderness and its prospects.
The Wilderness package, launched on the Outback and added to the Forester last year, accounts for up to 30 percent of sales of those models in some markets. And Subaru doesn't know how many the automaker can sell to U.S. customers." We are still looking for the ceiling," says Goh.
How much more do the Wilderness trims cost?
What is the price of the 2024 Subaru Outback and Wilderness?
The Base is priced at $30,190, Premium ($32,490), Onyx Edition ($37,400), Limited ($37,090), Touring ($41,640), Onyx Edition XT ($40,655), Wilderness ($41,255), Limited XT ($41,490), and Touring XT ($44,090). In addition, destination and delivery fees are included in the price above ($1,295).
The 2024 Outback Wilderness costs $41,255, including destination and delivery fees. That's $6,010 more than Forester Wilderness and $7,965 more than Crosstrek Wilderness, but its upgrades are worth the extra cost if you need more power.
What is the price of the 2023 Subaru Forester and Wilderness?
The Base Forester starts at $27,620, Premium ($30,620), Sport ($32,190), Limited ($34,300), Wilderness ($35,245), and Touring ($37,720). Pricing includes dealer fees ($1,225).
The 2023 Forester Wilderness has a lower starting price than the 2023 Outback Wilderness, starting at $35,245, including destination and delivery fees.
What is the price of the 2024 Crosstrek Wilderness?
The 2024 Crosstrek Base trim starts at $26,290 (the same MSRP as the 2023 Base model equipped with the Lineartronic CVT automatic transmission). The 2024 Crosstrek Premium has a starting price of $27,440, Sport ($30,290), and Limited ($32,190). Pricing includes destination and delivery fees ($1,225).
The 2024 Subaru Crosstrek Wilderness will be the most expensive Crosstrek trim level. The all-new Crosstrek Wilderness costs $33,290, including dealer destination and delivery fees.
Are the Wilderness upgrades worth the extra cost?
Taking the Crosstrek Wilderness as an example, the Crosstrek Sport has 8.7 inches of ground clearance versus 9.3 inches for the Crosstrek Wilderness. Subaru says they engineered the Crosstrek Wilderness drivetrain for better off-road performance by installing a revised differential gear ratio and retuned Lineartronic CVT automatic transmission.
Like Outback and Forester Wilderness, Crosstrek Wilderness has an upgraded suspension, additional body cladding, a metal front skid plate, hex-design LED fog lights, an anti-glare hood decal in a matte-black finish, and all-terrain tires.
For adventure-seeking new model shoppers, the Subaru Wilderness SUV trims will get customers far from civilization and take customers further off the grid than the standard models with Symmetrical all-wheel-drive and X-Mode. Subaru says they can’t see the ceiling of the new outdoor-themed models.
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Denis Flierl has invested over 30 years in the automotive industry in a consulting role working with every major car brand. He is an accredited member of the Rocky Mountain Automotive Press. Check out Subaru Report, where he covers all of the Japanese automaker's models. More stories can be found on the Torque News Subaru page. Follow Denis on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
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Photo credit: Subaru USA
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My only issue is with the new
My only issue is with the new Crosstrek Wilderness. If Subaru geared it towards adventure seekers, then why doesn't it come with a full spare tire?
it seems many who buy in this
it seems many who buy in this adventure fad, buy aftermarket wheel tire combo anyway, the stock soare doesn't work anyway. One can get a oem wheel and a tire on eBay for a hondo.
Given increased sales of
Given increased sales of Wilderness, which only add 0.6” ground clearance, why not compete with other brands and offer 12 or 13”? Driving through high snow requires a large ground clearance as does many off road trips.
Sorry bit stuff like this
Sorry bit stuff like this makes me laugh. People are so fake. I will bet that many wilderness buyers will never see anything more wild than a dirt road. Yet they are willing to sacrifice a ton of MPG and practicality to make themselves feel better about their rugged image. Recent real world fuel mileage tests show the Forester wilderness get a full 10mpg worse mpg than the standard forester. Is it really worth it? You know you are going to spend 99% of the time in a parking space or on a street of suburbia.