Crosstrek Sport Vs. Crosstrek Wilderness | What's The Difference?

You've narrowed your SUV search to the Subaru Crosstrek Sport vs. Subaru Crosstrek Wilderness – but which one truly fits your lifestyle? Both trims are customer favorites at our dealership, come standard with the signature Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive, and feature the latest and greatest in terms of amenities. Plus, the Crosstrek itself earned a spot on Consumer Reports' "Best Cars of the Year: 10 Top Picks of 2026."¹ Still, while they share the same adventurous DNA, their differences are worth noting.

Journey with us through the interior and exterior design, performance and mileage, and comfort and technology of the 2026 Crosstrek Sport vs. Wilderness. If you read the entire page and still can't decide, it's time to stop by Tom Wood Subaru and test-drive both!

From 2013 to 2026: The Crosstrek, Crosstrek Sport & Crosstrek Wilderness

First named the Subaru XV Crosstrek, this gorgeously capable compact SUV first hit the automotive market for the 2013 model year. The following year, a hybrid variant was added to the mix (retired for the 2017 model year, reintroduced for the 2026 model year). We gained the style and performance of the Subaru Crosstrek Sport trim for the 2021 model, and the fan-favorite Subaru Crosstrek Wilderness edition joined the family for the 2024 model year.

At Tom Wood Subaru, we are ecstatic to showcase both trim levels. Get to know these variants in more detail via our Subaru Crosstrek Wilderness vs. Subaru Crosstrek Sport matchup below, and don't hesitate to contact us if you have any questions.

Subaru Crosstrek Sport vs. Subaru Crosstrek Wilderness Design

Crosstrek Wilderness vs. Crosstrek Sport Interior

Even though these 2026 SUVs are rugged and ready for adventure, their interior designs are thoughtful and modern. Inside the Subaru Crosstrek Sport interior, you'll sit comfortably on sport cloth upholstery, featuring heating on the front seats, and manage infotainment via the user-friendly 11.6-inch Multimedia Plus touchscreen. You'll find the same technology experience inside the Wilderness, but its seats are covered in StarTex water-repellent upholstery that's designed for off-road adventures. Additionally, the Subaru Crosstrek Wilderness interior adds a standard heated steering wheel and offers an optional Harman Kardon® audio system; these amenities are not available in the Sport.

The Crosstrek cargo capacity for the Sport and Wilderness is up to any challenge. Shop the new Subaru Crosstrek Sport and pack your 19.9-cubic-foot trunk with any groceries or gear you need, or take home a Wilderness variant and get 20 cubic feet of trunk storage for camping gear galore. Maximum cargo volumes follow a similar pattern – 54.7 cubic feet is in the Sport, and 54.9 cubic feet is in the Wilderness. However, passenger dimensions are identical between the two SUVs. You can even add an optional power tilt-and-slide moonroof to either trim and let the blue skies come pouring in!

Subaru Crosstrek Sport vs. Subaru Crosstrek Wilderness Exterior

The first difference you may notice when you visit our Subaru dealership in Indianapolis, IN, is the disparity in ride height. The Subaru Crosstrek ground clearance is 8.7 inches for the Sport and 9.3 inches for the Wilderness for increased off-road capability.

Both SUVs feature a sporty roof spoiler, body-colored door handles, a windshield wiper de-icer, and heated side mirrors. Protective wheel-arch and lower-body cladding add durability for both on- and off-road driving, and raised roof rails come standard on each model for increased versatility. The Crosstrek Wilderness, however, sets itself apart with distinctive Anodized Copper-finish accents and hexagonal-style LED fog lights, giving it a more rugged, adventure-ready presence. The Sport has basic LED fog lights.

The 2026 Crosstrek Sport and Wilderness wheels are similar in size: the Sport trim rides on 18-inch aluminum-alloy wheels with a Dark Gray finish, and the Wilderness uses a 17-inch set built from the same material but featuring a Matte Black finish. This difference is intentional, as the Wilderness equips all-terrain tires, and the Sport boasts all-season tires.

How do the Subaru Crosstrek Sport vs. Subaru Crosstrek Wilderness compare in size? Both models share the same length of 176.4 inches, but the Sport has a 105.1-inch wheelbase, and the Wilderness features a 104.9-inch wheelbase. The Wilderness is also .8 inches wider and .6 inches taller.

Crosstrek Sport vs. Wilderness MPG & Specs

The Subaru Crosstrek Sport engine and the Subaru Crosstrek Wilderness engine are the same: a not-so-large but very much in-charge 2.5-liter SUBARU BOXER unit paired with the automaker's Symmetrical AWD. The Lineartronic CVT transmission outshines most other models in the class with its Adaptive Control, Incline Start Assist, and eight-speed manual mode with paddle shifters.

Because the same SUBARU BOXER engine powers these two 2026 SUVs, you might assume that the Crosstrek Sport vs. Wilderness MPG is identical, too. This, however, is not the case: The Subaru Crosstrek Sport MPG is slightly better, rendering an EPA-estimated 26/33 (City/Highway).² You can expect an EPA-estimated 24/29 (City/Highway)² Subaru Crosstrek Wilderness MPG. Both trims house a 16.6-gallon fuel tank.

Towing is also different. The Crosstrek Sport maxes out at a 1,500-pound towing capability,³ while the Crosstrek Wilderness steps it up to a maximum 3,500-pound capacity.³ See how you can potentially enhance your savings with one of our limited-time new vehicle specials.

Subaru Crosstrek Sport vs. Subaru Crosstrek Wilderness Comparison Chart

Explore the 2026 Crosstrek Sport vs. Wilderness at Tom Wood Subaru

We hope this detailed Crosstrek Sport vs. Wilderness review has helped you choose your favorite 2026 trim level, but the only way to know for sure is to take a test drive. You can slide behind the wheel of both models at Tom Wood Subaru and compare them side by side in person. Stop by today to tour these rugged machines and learn about your Subaru financing and leasing options.

What People Are Saying About the Subaru Crosstrek

Rebecca Nickoli

10/21/25

I just purchased my fifth Subaru since 2003 from Tom Wood Subaru, with Tony Birsfield as salesperson for the last two. I’ve had an Outback, three Foresters, and now a 2025 CrossTrek and have been very pleased with each of the cars. Tony was so helpful and gave me a bit of a tutorial to help me get started with all the new unfamiliar technology. He also scheduled a time in a couple of weeks with Hunter Radke there who will answer the questions I’m sure I’ll have by then. Not always fun for a woman buying a car by herself but Tony made it easy!

¹Reference to this third-party claim is solely for informational purposes and not to be relied upon. For details regarding this rating, Consumer Reports members can visit https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/best-cars-of-the-year-10-top-picks-of-2026-a1118808691/.

²EPA fuel economy estimates. Actual mileage will vary with driving conditions and your vehicle's condition.

³Maximum towing capacity varies by trim level. Trailer brakes may be needed. See your retailer for details.