Crosstrek Sport Vs. Crosstrek Wilderness | What's The Difference?
So you've narrowed your SUV options to the Subaru Crosstrek Sport vs. Subaru Crosstrek Wilderness – but which one fits your lifestyle best? Both trims are highly sought-after at our dealership, come with the automaker's signature safety features, and made the 2024 Car and Driver Editors' Choice list.1 But their differences are palpable, even from the moment you step foot into their cabins.
Journey with us through the interior and exterior design, performance and mileage, and elevated comforts and technology of the Crosstrek Sport vs. Wilderness as we compare these two popular Subaru SUV trims. If you read the entire page and still can't decide, it's time to stop by Tom Wood Subaru and test-drive both!
Key Similarities and Differences Between the 2025 Subaru Crosstrek Sport vs. Subaru Crosstrek Wilderness
- The entire Subaru Crosstrek lineup is accessibility priced, but the Sport trim has a lower MSRP than the flagship Wilderness edition
- Both the Crosstrek Sport vs. Wilderness trims, along with the Limited variant, come with a larger SUBARU BOXER engine for enhanced performance
- Both SUVs are capable of better off-roading than most crossovers in their segment thanks to the Subaru Crosstrek ground clearance specs: You'll sit 8.7 inches above the pavement in a Sport trim and 9.3 inches high in a Wilderness
- If fuel economy is a deciding factor, the Sport trim is more efficient with its EPA-estimated 27/33 MPG (City/Highway),2 but the Wilderness MPG isn't far behind
- The Crosstrek Sport vs. Wilderness both come equipped with sensational safety features, but the top-tier Wilderness edition adds Blind-Spot Detection and Rear Cross-Traffic Alert
From 2013 to 2025: What's New in the Crosstrek Sport vs. Wilderness Matchup?
First named the Subaru XV Crosstrek, this gorgeously capable compact SUV first hit the automotive market for the 2013 model year with only two trim levels: Premium and Limited. The following year, a hybrid powertrain was added to the mix. In 2021, we gained the style and performance of the Subaru Crosstrek Sport. The fan-favorite Wilderness trim joined the Crosstrek family for the 2024 model year and returns for 2025.
The 2024 model year not only introduced the Subaru Crosstrek Wilderness edition trim, but the entire Crosstrek lineup received a redesign to memorialize its third generation. The Tom Wood Subaru team thought it was only fitting to offer you top-shelf Subaru financing and a side-by-side comparison of their best features for the second year of the Crosstrek Wilderness trim.
Subaru Crosstrek Sport vs. Subaru Crosstrek Wilderness Interior and Exterior Design
Subaru Crosstrek Wilderness vs. Subaru Crosstrek Sport Interior Comparison
Even though these 2025 SUVs are rugged and ready for adventure, their interior designs are thoughtful and modern. Inside the Sport model's cabin, you'll sit comfortably on heated sport cloth seats and control media on a user-friendly 11.6-inch Multimedia Plus touchscreen. You'll find the same multimedia experience inside the Wilderness, but its seats are covered with StarTex water-repellent upholstery that caters to your off-road adventures.
The Crosstrek cargo capacity is also up for any challenge. Shop new Subaru Crosstrek Sport SUVs 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. You can even add an optional power tilt-and-slide moonroof to either trim and let the blue skies come pouring in!
Rounding out our Crosstrek Sport vs. Wilderness technology comparison is a look at how computerized powertrain components can elevate your SUV's capabilities. Both the Crosstrek Sport and Crosstrek Wilderness come with stellar engine-enhancing tech features that make driving these machines even more fun, including Active Torque Vectoring, which gives you better handling and sharper turns, and X-MODE, which optimizes engine output and transmission ratios on low-friction surfaces.
Crosstrek Sport vs. Wilderness Exterior Comparison
The first difference you'll notice when you visit our Subaru dealership in Indianapolis, IN, is the disparity in Crosstrek Sport vs. Wilderness ground clearance. The Crosstrek Sport sits 8.7 inches off the road, but the Wilderness adds height for increased off-road capability, sitting at 9.3 inches off the ground.
Both SUVs sport roof spoilers, body-colored door handles, and heated side mirrors. They also have wheel arch and lower body cladding for additional on- and off-road protection. The Crosstrek Sport vs. Wilderness wheels are similar in size, with the Sport trim riding on 18-inch aluminum alloy wheels and the Wilderness using a 17-inch set built from the same material.
The Crosstrek Sport vs. Wilderness tires, however, are intentionally different. The Sport iteration is made for elevated on-road performance, so it comes with all-season tires to give you the traction you need in any weather. You'll likely be taking your Wilderness trim off-road at some point – if only to see what it can do – so this version's all-terrain tires are a fantastic addition to its design.
Crosstrek Sport vs. Wilderness MPG & Specs
Both the Subaru Crosstrek Sport engine and Subaru Crosstrek Wilderness engine are the same: a not-so-large but very much in-charge SUBARU BOXER engine paired with the automaker's signature Symmetrical AWD. The Lineartronic CVT transmission outshines most other models in its class with its Adaptive Control, Incline Start Assist, and speed manual mode. Furthermore, the powertrain's 178 pound-feet of torque allow for excellent tow strength, especially in the top-spec Wilderness.
Because the same 2.5-liter SUBARU BOXER engine powers these two 2025 SUVs, you might assume that their Crosstrek Sport vs. Wilderness MPG is identical, too. This is, however, not the case: The Sport trim delivers a higher fuel economy due to its slightly lower ground clearance. Enjoy an EPA-estimated 27/33 (City/Highway)2 Subaru Crosstrek Sport MPG, or raise your ride height in a Wilderness model and get an EPA-estimated 25/29 (City/Highway)2 Subaru Crosstrek Wilderness MPG. Either way, you can use normal unleaded fuel to fill your SUV's 16.6-gallon tank.
Maximize your savings now with these limited-time new vehicle specials, or scroll down for a side-by-side recap of the Crosstrek Sport vs. Wilderness best features.
Subaru Crosstrek Sport vs. Subaru Crosstrek Wilderness Specs Comparison Chart
| 2025 Subaru Crosstrek Sport | 2025 Subaru Crosstrek Wilderness | |
| Year Added to Lineup | 2021 | 2024 |
| Passenger Seating | 5 | 5 |
| Engines | 2.5L SUBARU BOXER 4-cyl | 2.5L SUBARU BOXER 4-cyl |
| Horsepower | 182 | 182 |
| Torque | 178 lb-ft | 178 lb-ft |
| Drivetrain | Symmetrical AWD | Symmetrical AWD |
| Transmission | Lineartronic CVT w/Adaptive Control, Incline Start Assist and 8-speed manual mode w/paddle shifters | Lineartronic CVT w/Adaptive Control, Incline Start Assist and 8-speed manual mode w/paddle shifters |
| Engine Optimization |
|
|
| EPA-Est. MPG (City / Hwy) | 27 / 33 MPG2 | 25 / 29 MPG2 |
| Maximum Towing Capacity | 1,500 lbs3 | 3,500 lbs3 |
| Wheels | 18-in aluminum-alloy | 17-in aluminum-alloy |
| Tires | All-season | All-terrain |
| Ground Clearance | 8.7 in | 9.3 in |
| Cargo Capacity | 19.9 cu ft | 20 cu ft |
| Fog Lights | LED | LED hexagonal style |
| Raised Roof Rails | Black | Anodized copper and black |
| Interior Comforts & Upholstery |
|
|
| Technology |
|
|
| Safety & Driver Assistance |
|
|
Find Your Crosstrek Sport vs. Wilderness at Tom Wood Subaru
We hope this detailed Crosstrek Sport vs. Wilderness review has helped you choose your favorite 2025 trim level, but the only way to know for sure is to test-drive your favorite option. You can drive both models at Tom Wood Subaru and compare them side-by-side in person. Contact us or stop by today to tour these rugged machines or explore our entire new Subaru lineup.
Make an Inquiry
* Indicates a required field
1Reference to this third-party review/claim is solely for informational purposes and not to be relied upon. For more details, please visit https://www.caranddriver.com/features/a46550349/2024-editors-choice/
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.
