Put Wilderness on your shortlist when rough-road use or towing is a real part of your plans. If most of your week is paved driving around Carlsbad and San Diego, test it alongside a regular Crosstrek before deciding that its extra trail hardware is worth the tradeoff.
Jake’s Wilderness walkaround
Jake shows the all-terrain tires, Wilderness exterior details, StarTex cabin, heated controls, rear seats and cargo area. The vehicle filmed also has a tow hitch installed. This is a walkaround, not an off-road or towing test.
Pressing play connects to YouTube’s privacy-enhanced player. Privacy details
What the Wilderness hardware adds
- 9.3 inches of ground clearance, 17-inch wheels and Yokohama GEOLANDAR all-terrain tires.
- A 180-horsepower 2.5-liter BOXER engine with revised gearing for low-speed climbing.
- Standard AWD and dual-function X-MODE, plus StarTex upholstery, a heated steering wheel and wireless phone charging.
The package and hitch are separate decisions
Optional Package 23 bundles a power moonroof, 10-way power driver’s seat and Harman Kardon audio. Those additions are not standard on every Wilderness.
The hitch in Jake’s video is fitted to that vehicle; it does not come with every Wilderness or prove a trailer is suitable. Subaru lists a 3,500-pound maximum towing capacity. Check the owner’s manual, loaded trailer weight, required brakes, hitch equipment and vehicle loading before planning a tow.
Sources: Subaru 2026 Crosstrek brochure, April 2026 edition · Subaru 2026 Crosstrek Wilderness features
Think through the ordinary week
Subaru lists EPA estimates of 24 mpg city and 29 mpg highway. Actual mileage varies.
Make the test drive useful
For an I-5 commute, spend part of the drive at your normal cruising speed and listen for tire and road noise. Try patched pavement as well as a smooth stretch. You are checking whether this particular setup feels right to you, not whether the badge looks adventurous.
For weekend use, bring the cooler, bags or dog crate you actually carry. Open the hatch, load them and check access with the seats in your normal positions. If your trips stay on maintained access roads, ask whether another Crosstrek already meets the need.
Before you choose one
- Confirm the model year, trim and factory package on the exact window sticker.
- Separate the hitch, mirror, seatback protectors and other accessories from standard equipment.
- Try the seating, phone charging and cargo arrangement yourself.
- If towing matters, verify the full setup rather than shopping by the maximum rating alone.
- Compare written out-the-door quotes for the actual vehicles, not a base price against a packaged car.
Frequently asked questions
Does every Wilderness come with a hitch?
No. The hitch shown is installed on the filmed vehicle. Verify the equipment and any installation charges on the one you are considering.
Do I need Package 23 for a heated steering wheel?
No. The heated steering wheel is standard for 2026. Package 23 adds the moonroof, power driver’s seat and Harman Kardon audio.
Sources: Subaru 2026 Crosstrek Wilderness features · Subaru 2026 Crosstrek brochure, April 2026 edition
Is this walkaround a trail test?
No. It shows equipment, seating and cargo. It does not demonstrate off-road performance or certify a towing setup.
Sources and scope
U.S.-market 2026 equipment and ratings checked October 23, 2026 (Pacific). Equipment and accessories in the video are specific to the vehicle filmed. Confirm the exact window sticker and current written terms. Buying suggestions reflect the BuyASubie Team’s guidance.