√2023 Subaru Crosstrek Wilderness off-road edition unveiled, on wish list for Australia

Subaru USA has unveiled an off-road Wilderness version of the successor to the XV small SUV – the Crosstrek. But an Australian launch is yet to be locked in.

The new 2023 Subaru Crosstrek small SUV – the replacement for the XV – has been given the Wilderness off-road treatment for the US, but it’s yet to be locked in for Australia.

The Crosstrek Wilderness follows similar rough-road Wilderness versions of Subaru’s larger Forester and Outback, with taller tyres, increased ground clearance, upgraded differentials, and a rugged look.

But as with the other Subaru Wilderness models, it is yet to be confirmed for Australian showrooms – but Subaru’s local division appears to have its hands up for the new model.

“We are always working to deliver on our customers’ requests and we understand the Wilderness editions make their way onto the wish lists of many Australians, with the Crosstrek Wilderness likely to be no exception. However there is no new information to share on Wilderness offerings in Australia currently,” Subaru Australia said in a media statement.

One barrier facing the Crosstrek Wilderness is that it is built exclusively in Subaru’s Indiana, US factory – not Japan where Australian Crosstreks will be manufactured – and there is no right-hand-drive version available.

However, Subaru has in the past developed right-hand-drive, Japan-built versions of its previously US-only models – specifically the turbo XT version of the Outback, introduced to Australia this year – so there is a chance the off-road editions may reach local showrooms.

The comprehensive Wilderness upgrades give the off-road Crosstrek as much ground clearance (236mm) as a Ford Ranger Wildtrak ute – up 12mm on the standard model.

Long-travel springs and shock absorbers have been fitted to deliver the increased ground clearance and improve comfort on rough roads, while Yokohama Geolandar all-terrain tyres with white lettering wrap 17-inch black wheels.

Off-road angles have been increased: approach from 18 to 20 degrees, departure from 30.1 to 33 degrees, and breakover angle from 19.7 to 21.1 degrees.

The X-Mode off-road drive mode system (with Snow/Dirt and Deep Snow/Mud modes) is fitted for improved off-road traction, plus a mode to smooth accelerator pedal inputs on slow uphill off-road climbs, and hill-descent control.

The Crosstrek Wilderness doesn’t change the engine, which remains a 2.5-litre non-turbo four-cylinder ‘boxer’ petrol engine with 136kW and 239Nm – exclusive to US-built models, and unavailable in Australian or Japanese versions.

But it is now augmented by a retuned continuously-variable automatic transmission (CVT) with a new final drive ratio (4.111 vs 3.700 previously), and a “revised” differential ratio.

A transmission oil cooler has been added to more than double the towing capacity to 1588kg (3500lb).

Differentiating the Crosstrek Wilderness from standard versions on the road is a tougher, off-road-themed exterior body kit with dollops of black plastic cladding to take hits from rocks and branches off road.

There’s a new front bumper with hex-pattern LED fog lights, a bolder rear bumper with ‘SUBARU’ embossing, plastic front grille, enlarged wheel-arch cladding, metal front skid plate, plastic door cladding, and an anti-glare matte black bonnet decal.

Subaru Wilderness badges on the front doors and tailgate join a body-coloured rear spoiler and black side mirror caps, and a choice of paint colours including an exclusive Geyser Blue hue.

There is also a new ‘ladder-type’ roof rack with an 80kg maximum dynamic load and 318kg maximum static load, said to allow for the use of “larger” roof-top tents.

Inside, upgrades include water-resistant Subaru StarTex seats with Wilderness embossed headrests, copper-coloured contrast stitching and accents, black headlining and pillars, grey dashboard and door inserts, and Wilderness graphics for the screens.

There is also a water-resistant cargo tray and overhead LED light in the boot. The standard Crosstrek’s 11.6-inch centre touchscreen carries over, alongside a suite of advanced safety features.

The 2023 Subaru Crosstrek Wilderness is due in US showrooms between September and November 2023, priced from $US31,995 ($AU47,200) – less than $US2000 more than the Sport variant it is roughly based on.

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