Can a Subaru Crosstrek Wilderness Out-Duel a Ford Bronco Off-Road?

Off-roading is one of the things we crave in Southern Idaho. There’s plenty of rock-crawling off-roaders around here that love to get out and play wherever the dirt—or snow—gets challenging.

Recently, Edmunds.com put three vehicles face-to-face in an off-road duel that included some moderately tough terrain. One of the three tester vehicles was a Ford Bronco, an off-road SUV precisely engineered for that kind of terrain. The second was a Hyundai Santa Fe XRT, a vehicle with some off-road looks, and the third, a 2024 Subaru Crosstrek Wilderness.

The objective of the test was to see if you truly needed a purpose-built off-roader to tackle tough-ish terrain. The verdict? For occasional, moderate off-roading, the Subaru Crosstrek Wilderness rose to the challenge and held its own, proving that a well-rounded vehicle like the Crosstrek Wilderness can confidently tackle the less-traveled path—and maintain good road mannerisms once back in civilization.

The Edmunds.com team loved the open-trail responsiveness of the 182-horsepower 2.5-liter BOXER engine and Lineartronic Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT). The CVT shifts, which can also be done via paddle shifters on the back of the steering wheel, were spot-on. The improved final drive ratio of the Crosstrek Wilderness made quite a difference as it rolled through rutted dirt roads. Selecting the X-Mode Snow/Dirt setting helped the Crosstrek Wilderness climb rutted hills with ease.

Subaru created the Wilderness lineup to traverse trails and roads further away from the highway. With raised ground clearance, enhanced X-Mode drive settings, all-terrain tires, and protection underneath and throughout the body, the Wilderness can do the task of getting you there—wherever “there” may be. On top of its enhanced functionality, the Wilderness looks sporty and athletic, ready for whatever adventure awaits.

The Crosstrek is the smallest of the Wilderness models available. The nimble size of this off-road SUV enables it to traverse tight trails easier than larger, purpose-built vehicles like the Bronco. From its expansive cargo space to its comfortable five-passenger cabin, the Crosstrek Wilderness offers a lot of practicality to go along with its capability. As if a more compelling reason to consider the Crosstrek Wilderness were needed, consider its affordable price—you get a lot without breaking the bank.

If you’re looking to have some fun anywhere in Southern Idaho, the Crosstrek Wilderness is the way to go. Contact us at Twin Falls Subaru to get your own small and capable adventure machine.