Subaru Crosstrek Wilderness test bench | The urban utility

(Sedona, Arizona) This small SUV was launched in 2012, at a time when few brands believed in the success of these models that we imagined were intended for the city. Today, the Crosstrek accounts for more than a third of Subaru sales in Canada. The arrival of a Wilderness version will only add weight to a category whose size is likely to practically double over the next three years.

A retouched face to accentuate its adventurous appearance and botoxed thermoplastic shields are enough to externally differentiate this Wilderness version from the other Crosstreks. Inside, aside from more quaint trim, there are distinctive floor mats and embroidered headrests. For the rest, it’s the same, which no one will complain about. We therefore find front seats whose structure has been revisited to better stabilize the occupants’ pelvis.

Rejuvenate the clientele

Wilderness also differs in the profile of its clientele. Currently, the average Crosstrek buyer is 45 years old. With Wilderness, Subaru wants to win over younger consumers (30-39 years old). And financially better off, since its starting price is nearly $40,000 before taxes. A premium of some $4,000 over the Onyx, the most popular version.

Designed for those who have grown tired of driving interchangeable cars, this Subaru is above all a niche model, an image vector. Subaru’s initial forecasts estimate that the Wilderness version will allow it to conquer a younger clientele and should account for between 10% and 15% of Crosstrek sales.

Playing hard with ground clearance raised by 15 millimeters, on our asphalt roads at least, and overcoming inconceivable obstacles seems a bit excessive. Especially since this version, which fears neither ruts nor fords, consumes almost 1 L/100 km more than the other Crosstreks. In doing so, the Wilderness becomes the only Crosstrek to cross the threshold of 200 grams per kilometer of CO₂according to Natural Resources Canada.

Subaru offers hunters, fishermen or residents of mountainous regions an all-terrain vehicle with human dimensions capable of climbing muddy and stony steep slopes more easily.

Others will especially appreciate the psychological aspect of the SUV and undoubtedly also the flexibility of the suspensions and the good driving sensations. The very distinctive personality of the Wilderness also exudes a little scent of adventure. This results in a slightly shorter turning radius, but a higher noise level than other Crosstreks and a more imprecise road feel.

The Crosstrek Wilderness houses under its hood partly lined with a black screen (to avoid reflections from the sun, we say most seriously), its essential 2.5 L four-cylinder engine. Recognized as reliable, this engine However, there is nothing like a thunderbolt of war. Although acceptable, acceleration is nonetheless laborious and restarts require a dose of anticipation before engaging in an overtaking maneuver.

Impressive traction

The continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) has the merit of making us forget that it is a chain and not gears that transfers the power to the ground. When driving off-road, it’s the towing capacity much more than the number of horsepower that counts. The constant all-wheel drive of this Subaru is combined with electronic management which allows it to be configured more finely depending on the terrain conditions. Unfortunately, this selector is printed in the central screen, like the air conditioning controls, thus forcing, in the event of breakage, consumers to repair it without further delay, to recover these functions.

No one really needs this Crosstrek version. Moreover, by its designers’ own admission, the Wilderness should only represent 10% of total sales of this model.

On the other hand, this Subaru mounted on stilts has a particularity that is desirable: its ability to tow. This is twice as important as that of other Crosstreks (see the “Technical sheet” tab). Alas, this “towing package” remains, until further notice, the prerogative of the Wilderness alone.

It is therefore an original creation which commands respect, because the greatest risk would have been to change nothing and to continue to offer only average cars for ordinary people. In this regard, the Crosstrek Wilderness has two advantages. He promises to be controversial – which is much better than erring on the side of transparency – and, above all, he has no direct competitor in front of him.

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The Press will soon publish the test of the following vehicles: BMW i5, Cadillac Lyriq, Chevrolet Blazer EV, Honda Prologue, Hyundai Kona EV and Kia EV9. If you own one of these vehicles or are awaiting delivery, we would love to hear from you.