Getting into off-roading can be an expensive venture, especially if you’re looking to buy a brand-new car. Most options start at around $40,000, which is a tough sell for those on a budget. However, there is one small crossover that is affordable and performs better off the beaten track than you’d expect.

New off-road SUVs have become exceptionally expensive. Getting equipment designed to help you tackle tough terrain usually means having to spend a lot. If you’re just trying to dip your toes into the hobby, these costs can be pretty daunting. This is what makes a small crossover that costs close to $30,000 a pretty attractive proposition.

We dive into a small crossover that punches well above its weight when it comes to off-road capability. Outlining the price of the 2025 model, we explore how this crossover undercuts its rivals while delivering an adventurous spirit. We also detail the engine under the hood and how spacious and practical it is.

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The Subaru Crosstrek Wilderness Is Extremely Affordable

If you’re someone looking to dip your toes into the world of off-roading, you may find the traditional options a little expensive, especially if you want something new. Right now, one of the most affordable adventure vehicles you can get comes out of Japan in the form of the Subaru Crosstrek.

2025 Trims and Pricing

Subaru is a brand that has been building rugged vehicles for as long as they have been around, with their SUVs being particularly capable for the price that you pay. The Crosstrek is the perfect example of this. It was fully redesigned for the 2024 model year and is now an even better value proposition than before.

Starting at $25,000, it isn’t the most affordable subcompact SUV on the market, but it comes pretty well-equipped from the word go. It is also one of the larger and more practical options you can get, thanks to its station wagon-esque proportions. The Wilderness is the top trim, but it makes a great case for itself as well.

The Wilderness Trim

Compared to the bevy of available vehicles ready to conquer the great outdoors, the Crosstrek Wilderness is very affordable. The average dedicated off-road SUV starts at around $40,000. Now we’re not saying that the Crosstrek is ready to take on Death Valley right out of the box, but it will still impress you. It is also one of the most affordable SUVs that you can get with all-wheel drive.

The Crosstrek Wilderness comes with plenty of equipment to justify the price jump from the base model. It comes with a larger, more powerful engine, all-terrain tires, increased ground clearance, and a more complex transmission. Its interior is also upgraded with features such as water-resistant StarTex upholstery.

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The Subaru Features a Humble 182-Horsepower Four-Cylinder

One of the weaker points of the Subaru Crosstrek is its powertrain. Even the most powerful option that you have won’t thrill those looking for speed. However, the Crosstrek sips fuel and is equipped with everything else you would need for weekend excursions, meaning its engine doesn’t feel like a deal-breaker.

Performance Specifications

The off-roading Wilderness trim comes fitted with a 2.5-liter horizontally opposed four-cylinder engine. While it doesn’t exactly produce a whopping amount of horsepower, even within the context of the subcompact segment, it is enough for most. It is also a big improvement over the 152-horsepower two-liter engine in the Base trim. Either way, though, you’ll find it to be incredibly reliable.

A continuously variable transmission is your only choice on the Crosstrek, which may discourage some. However, it is a fairly refined system that doesn’t make too much noise. The Wilderness trim also comes with an eight-speed manual mode, where you can shift gears using paddle shifters.

Wilderness Off-Road Features

• 9.3 inches of ground clearance
• All-terrain tires
• Skid plates
• Torque vectoring
• 3,500 pounds of towing capacity

The Wilderness trim offers a lot of standard equipment to justify its price. For those seeking adventure, Subaru has upgraded the Crosstrek to help it handle tougher stuff. The most obvious upgrades are the increased ground clearance, up from 8.7 inches, and thick all-terrain tires that sit on 17-inch alloy wheels.

Standard front skid plates are also included, along with a unique front and back end designed to improve your approach and departure angles. It also has unique drive modes that help to improve traction in snow, dirt, and mud. It’s towing capacity is also much more usable than other options in the subcompact segment.

Fuel Economy

The Crosstrek is decently light on fuel, which it should be considering its engine is fairly underpowered. The Base trim is the only model that comes with the weaker and smaller engine, and it is the most efficient. Every other model comes with a 2.5-liter engine, with there being practically no penalty in terms of fuel efficiency.

The Wilderness trim is heavier and rides on larger wheels and tires, which does reduce fuel efficiency to some degree. However, it still remains within the realms of what we’d say is frugal.

For the 2026 model year, Subaru will be offering a hybrid model. This model should increase fuel economy by quite a lot and the Japanese brand promises that there will be no compromises when it comes to performance or capability. This means it might just be worth waiting for.

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A Practical Interior Matches Its Rugged Approach

As mentioned before, the Crosstrek is a fairly spacious vehicle compared to its subcompact rivals. Its longer and boxier design means more space on the inside for passengers and cargo. On the inside, you’ll also find a cabin that has been designed to be practical above all else, which aligns with its off-road persona.

Interior Dimensions

We’re not trying to say that the Crosstrek is the most spacious crossover you’ll ever own, but it features a larger interior than most of its rivals in the subcompact class. Space in the first and second row is comparable to SUVs in the compact class, like the Honda CR-V and the Ford Bronco Sport. It also features a generous cargo area, that can expand to give you up to 54.7 cubic feet of space with the second-row seats folded away.

The cabin is decently comfortable as well, despite clearly being designed to be rugged and practical. Comfortable front seats and an impressive ability to keep noise out of the cabin are some of the Crosstrek’s most impressive features. As well as water-resistant upholstery, the steering wheel and shifter are wrapped in leather. Heated front seats are also available.

Infotainment and Technology

The Crosstrek comes standard with a seven-inch infotainment screen on the Base model, with all other models, including the Wilderness, getting a larger 11.6-inch screen. The larger unit offers wireless connection for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. A wireless smartphone charging pad and a number of USB-C and USB-A ports are also standard. The standard sound system features six speakers, but a 10-speaker Harmon and Kardon system is available. All of this means exceptional value for money.

The Crosstrek comes with a pretty comprehensive suite of driver assists as well, packaged as Subaru EyeSight. This includes features like automated emergency braking, lane departure warnings and lane-keep assist, and adaptive cruise control. This suite helped the Crosstrek achieve five out of five stars for safety from the NHTSA and the Top Safety Pick award from the IIHS.