{"id":31536,"date":"2023-10-05T12:54:00","date_gmt":"2023-10-05T16:54:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/?p=31536"},"modified":"2023-10-05T12:54:00","modified_gmt":"2023-10-05T16:54:00","slug":"payne-on-the-trail-with-the-buff-subaru-crosstrek-wilderness","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/index.php\/2023\/10\/payne-on-the-trail-with-the-buff-subaru-crosstrek-wilderness","title":{"rendered":"Payne: On the trail with the buff Subaru Crosstrek Wilderness"},"content":{"rendered":"<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\"><em>Zion<\/em>,<em>\u00a0Utah<\/em>\u00a0\u2014 The Subaru Crosstrek Wilderness\u2019s design was inspired by a hiking shoe, and it wants to explore like a hiking shoe.<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">I took Subaru\u2019s latest extreme off-road model all over southwest Utah, and at the end of the day it resembled rugged footwear: covered in dirt, mud and as comfortable as when the day began. Utah, of course, is where every off-road vehicle wants to go on vacation, and the roads here are crawling with Jeeps, Broncos, Tacomas and other dirt-kicking creatures.<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">Subaru engineers like to say that Wilderness models are \u201cnot about about conquering nature, they\u2019re about experiencing nature.\u201d Not that my Wilderness tester doesn\u2019t have Jeep-like aspirations.<\/p>\n<div class=\"gnt_em_gl_i_nt\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/www.detroitnews.com\/gcdn\/authoring\/authoring-images\/2023\/10\/04\/PDTN\/71059987007-subaru-crosstrek-wilderness-skidplate.jpg?width=990&amp;height=558&amp;format=pjpg&amp;auto=webp\" width=\"515\" height=\"290\" \/><\/div>\n<div class=\"gnt_em_gl_vg\" data-c-tc=\"25\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"gnt_em_t\" data-c-et=\"Gallery: 2024 Subaru Crosstrek Wilderness\"><\/div>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">It is armed with Yokohama Geolandar all-terrain tires, the only vehicle in its class so equipped. Even terrific, more expensive competitors like that $37,690 Jeep Compass Trailhawk and $39,985 Ford Bronco Sport Badlands don\u2019t come standard with dirt treads. The all-terrains\u2019 value is not just in traction, but in reliability. The carcass and sidewall of off-road tires are more robust than their all-season counterparts, which makes for sure-footedness when the asphalt ends and you begin to explore America\u2019s expansive outback.<\/p>\n<aside class=\"gnt_m gnt_x gnt_x__lbl gnt_x__al\" aria-label=\"advertisement\">\n<div id=\"ad-slot-7103-mi-detroit-C1561-native-article_link-money-autos-2\" class=\"gnt_x_sl gnt_x_al\" data-g-r=\"lazy\" data-gl-method=\"lazyLoadX\"><\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">Utah\u2019s network of outdoor trails is often dyed the color of red rock, but otherwise, they\u2019re similar to dirt roads you\u2019ll find in Michigan: littered with loose rock, ruts and other obstacles. My driving partner Jeff Glucker \u2014 an experienced racer and off-roader \u2014 groans about all-seasons on trails and their sidewalls\u2019 vulnerability to jagged rocks. In the Crosstrek Wilderness, we were less concerned, barreling along long stretches of gnarly dirt roads at a healthy Baja-like clip. The Wilderness\u2019s lifted 9.3-inch ground clearance (more than a base Wrangler, for goodness sake) and aluminum front bash plate provided additional assurance.<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">Crosstrek is also equipped with a Deep Snow\/Mud feature in X-Mode. Modeled after Sand\/Mud\/Ruts modes found in Jeep \u2018n\u2019 Bronco off-road hellions, X-Mode dials back the traction control systems, changes transmission mapping, slows automatically on steep declines, and even brakes the inside wheels (torque-vectoring, in engineer speak) for better maneuvering across loose terrain.<\/p>\n<aside class=\"gnt_m gnt_x gnt_x__lbl gnt_x__al\" aria-label=\"advertisement\">\n<div id=\"ad-slot-7103-mi-detroit-C1561-native-article_link-money-autos-3\" class=\"gnt_x_sl gnt_x_al\" data-g-r=\"lazy\" data-gl-method=\"lazyLoadX\" data-x-c=\"2\"><\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">Designed for off-road use under 25 mph, X-Mode would alert us that it was in use whenever we dropped below that threshold, so that we had a steady chorus \u2014 BEEP BEEP BEEP \u2014 of beeps as we barreled along the trails. Annoying, but a reminder that the \u2018Ru was engaged in the task at hand.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"gnt_em gnt_em_img\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/www.detroitnews.com\/gcdn\/authoring\/authoring-images\/2023\/10\/04\/PDTN\/71059959007-subaru-crosstrek-wilderness-frtrail.jpg?width=660&amp;height=372&amp;fit=crop&amp;format=pjpg&amp;auto=webp\" alt=\"The 2024 Subaru Crosstrek Wilderness comes standard with 3,500-pound tow rating, AWD, skid plate, 9.3-inch lift and a taste for dirt.\" width=\"539\" height=\"304\" \/><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"gnt_em_img_i\" src=\"https:\/\/www.detroitnews.com\/gcdn\/authoring\/authoring-images\/2023\/10\/04\/PDTN\/71059959007-subaru-crosstrek-wilderness-frtrail.jpg?width=660&amp;height=372&amp;fit=crop&amp;format=pjpg&amp;auto=webp\" srcset=\"\/gcdn\/authoring\/authoring-images\/2023\/10\/04\/PDTN\/71059959007-subaru-crosstrek-wilderness-frtrail.jpg?width=1320&amp;height=744&amp;fit=crop&amp;format=pjpg&amp;auto=webp 2x\" alt=\"The 2024 Subaru Crosstrek Wilderness comes standard with 3,500-pound tow rating, AWD, skid plate, 9.3-inch lift and a taste for dirt.\" data-g-r=\"lazy\" \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"gnt_em_img_ccw gnt_em_img_ccw__cap gnt_em_img_ccw__crd\" data-c-caption=\"The 2024 Subaru Crosstrek Wilderness comes standard with 3,500-pound tow rating, AWD, skid plate, 9.3-inch lift and a taste for dirt.\" data-c-credit=\"Henry Payne, The Detroit News\"><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">These tools, of course, will only get you so far in the off-road jungle. Our high-speed trails skirted Sandy Hollow Park \u2014 a 4&#215;4 playground of deep sand dunes, rocky climbs and general mayhem. Like stepping up to another level in an arcade game, you\u2019ll want to be armed for such challenges with 30-degree-plus approach and departure angles, locking differentials and removable doors for better visibility. You know, Jeep \u2018n\u2019 Bronco and side-by-side stuff.<\/p>\n<aside id=\"gnt_atomsnc\" class=\"gnt_em gnt_em_anc\" data-g-r=\"lazy\" data-gl-method=\"loadAnc\" aria-label=\"Newsletter signup form\">\n<div class=\"label\" hidden=\"\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"container\">\n<div class=\"message\">\n<div class=\"title\">Get the\u00a0<span class=\"highlight\">Michigan Politics<\/span>\u00a0newsletter in your inbox.<\/div>\n<p class=\"description\">Washington and Lansing, red and blue, we&#8217;ve got your government covered.<\/p>\n<div class=\"frequency\">Delivery: Daily<\/div>\n<div class=\"container\">\n<div class=\"input-container populated\"><input autocomplete=\"off\" name=\"email\" required=\"\" type=\"email\" \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"clickable\"><\/div>\n<p><label>Your Email<\/label><\/div>\n<div id=\"bar\">\n<div class=\"highlight\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"progress-primary\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"progress-secondary\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">With its modest 20-degree approach, 21-degree breakover and 33-degree departure angles, the Wilderness dares not enter such territory. But the upgraded Crosstrek does come with its own secret sauce so you can still conquest nature: a 3,500-pound towing capacity.<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">Thanks to clever transmission engineering, that\u2019s an impressive 2,000 pounds more than the standard 2.5-liter Crosstrek, and a hefty 1,500 pounds more than the Jeep and Ford Bronco Sport Badlands competition.<\/p>\n<aside class=\"gnt_m gnt_x gnt_x__lbl gnt_x__al\" aria-label=\"advertisement\">\n<div id=\"ad-slot-7103-mi-detroit-C1561-native-article_link-money-autos-4\" class=\"gnt_x_sl gnt_x_al\" data-g-r=\"lazy\" data-gl-method=\"lazyLoadX\" data-x-c=\"3\"><\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">So with that $20,000 you save by not buying a Wrangler Rubicon, you can buy, say, a used Polaris RZR all-terrain vehicle and trailer \u2014 then head into the wilderness and go places on the side-by-side even a Wrangler can\u2019t reach.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"gnt_em gnt_em_img\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/www.detroitnews.com\/gcdn\/authoring\/authoring-images\/2023\/10\/04\/PDTN\/71059968007-subaru-crosstrek-wilderness-sandruts.jpg?width=660&amp;height=372&amp;fit=crop&amp;format=pjpg&amp;auto=webp\" alt=\"The big screen of the 2024 Subaru Crosstrek Wilderness contains useful features like Sand\/Ruts mode for better off-road traction.\" width=\"557\" height=\"314\" \/><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"gnt_em_img_i\" src=\"https:\/\/www.detroitnews.com\/gcdn\/authoring\/authoring-images\/2023\/10\/04\/PDTN\/71059968007-subaru-crosstrek-wilderness-sandruts.jpg?width=660&amp;height=372&amp;fit=crop&amp;format=pjpg&amp;auto=webp\" srcset=\"\/gcdn\/authoring\/authoring-images\/2023\/10\/04\/PDTN\/71059968007-subaru-crosstrek-wilderness-sandruts.jpg?width=1320&amp;height=744&amp;fit=crop&amp;format=pjpg&amp;auto=webp 2x\" alt=\"The big screen of the 2024 Subaru Crosstrek Wilderness contains useful features like Sand\/Ruts mode for better off-road traction.\" data-g-r=\"lazy\" \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"gnt_em_img_ccw gnt_em_img_ccw__cap gnt_em_img_ccw__crd\" data-c-caption=\"The big screen of the 2024 Subaru Crosstrek Wilderness contains useful features like Sand\/Ruts mode for better off-road traction.\" data-c-credit=\"Henry Payne, The Detroit News\"><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">Experience\u00a0<em>and<\/em>\u00a0conquer nature.<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">Nature like Zion or Sandy Hollow or Michigan\u2019s Silver Creek sand dunes and Drummond Island. And the Wilderness can get you to such places with minimal time at service stations (always a pain with a trailer) thanks to an expanded 18-gallon fuel tank to complement the sippy, 27-mpg 2.5-liter Boxer 4-cylinder engine under the hood.<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">Towing, of course, drinks fuel so the \u2018Ru would likely get half the usual 486-mile-range on such trips, but that\u2019s still solid. And is still more than the full 228-mile range of the $46K Subaru Solterra electric vehicle. Subie\u2019s core northern customers are notorious tree-huggers, but they also covet their mules\u2019 road trip capabilities.<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">Industry insiders say auto customers will have to adapt to a new electric era of longer charging times and poorer vehicle range. But the gas-fueled Crosstrek Wilderness will spoil owners rotten with its AWD, all-terrain-tire ruggedness (which would suck range on an EV), cold-weather ruggedness (which would suck 25% of battery range) and towing capability (reduce EV range by 70%).<\/p>\n<aside class=\"gnt_m gnt_x gnt_x__lbl gnt_x__al\" aria-label=\"advertisement\">\n<div id=\"ad-slot-7103-mi-detroit-C1561-native-article_link-money-autos-5\" class=\"gnt_x_sl gnt_x_al\" data-g-r=\"lazy\" data-gl-method=\"lazyLoadX\" data-x-c=\"4\"><\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">Subaru residuals are already some of the industry\u2019s best, and expect used \u2018Rus to get even more valuable in the electric age. Good thing 97% of Crosstreks are still on the road. Even if you\u2019re just an occasional off-roader, the $32K Crosstrek Wilderness is a heckuva value.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"gnt_em gnt_em_img\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/www.detroitnews.com\/gcdn\/authoring\/authoring-images\/2023\/10\/04\/PDTN\/71059985007-subaru-crosstrek-wilderness-tire.jpg?width=660&amp;height=372&amp;fit=crop&amp;format=pjpg&amp;auto=webp\" alt=\"The secret sauce of the 2024 Subaru Crosstrek Wilderness: all-terrain tires.\" width=\"530\" height=\"299\" \/><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"gnt_em_img_i\" src=\"https:\/\/www.detroitnews.com\/gcdn\/authoring\/authoring-images\/2023\/10\/04\/PDTN\/71059985007-subaru-crosstrek-wilderness-tire.jpg?width=660&amp;height=372&amp;fit=crop&amp;format=pjpg&amp;auto=webp\" srcset=\"\/gcdn\/authoring\/authoring-images\/2023\/10\/04\/PDTN\/71059985007-subaru-crosstrek-wilderness-tire.jpg?width=1320&amp;height=744&amp;fit=crop&amp;format=pjpg&amp;auto=webp 2x\" alt=\"The secret sauce of the 2024 Subaru Crosstrek Wilderness: all-terrain tires.\" data-g-r=\"lazy\" \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"gnt_em_img_ccw gnt_em_img_ccw__cap gnt_em_img_ccw__crd\" data-c-caption=\"The secret sauce of the 2024 Subaru Crosstrek Wilderness: all-terrain tires.\" data-c-credit=\"Henry Payne, The Detroit News\"><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">The Subie\u2019s big center screen is more useful than many luxury vehicles (Mrs. Payne loves it in her new Impreza RS, which bears a similar price to the Wilderness Conestoga wagon). Not only did Wilderness sync wirelessly to Android Auto on my phone, but the ute comes standard with a wireless charging pad so my phone didn\u2019t drain while navigating miles of Utah wilderness.<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">Of course, most of your time in the Crosstrek will be spent navigating the urban jungle, and here the unibody Crosstrek excels compared to ladder-frame, off-road megabots. Though lifted over its hatchback sibling Impreza, the Crosstrek still exhibits sporty road manners. More importantly, its all-terrain tires were quiet on high-speed four lanes where big-35-inch all-terrain tires on more capable off-roaders get loud.<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">The faux-leather StarTex-equipped interior is nicely segregated from the four-banger up front and even the continuously-variable transmission \u2014 the bane of Subarus past \u2014 is unobtrusiveness. Only six-footers in the rear seat might feel pinched, but otherwise the interior is a comfortable sanctuary for long road trips.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"gnt_em gnt_em_img\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/www.detroitnews.com\/gcdn\/authoring\/authoring-images\/2023\/10\/04\/PDTN\/71059977007-subaru-crosstrek-wilderness-side.jpg?width=660&amp;height=372&amp;fit=crop&amp;format=pjpg&amp;auto=webp\" alt=\"Can you see it? The 2024 Subaru Crosstrek Wilderness was modeled after a hiking shoe.\" width=\"509\" height=\"287\" \/><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"gnt_em_img_i\" src=\"https:\/\/www.detroitnews.com\/gcdn\/authoring\/authoring-images\/2023\/10\/04\/PDTN\/71059977007-subaru-crosstrek-wilderness-side.jpg?width=660&amp;height=372&amp;fit=crop&amp;format=pjpg&amp;auto=webp\" srcset=\"\/gcdn\/authoring\/authoring-images\/2023\/10\/04\/PDTN\/71059977007-subaru-crosstrek-wilderness-side.jpg?width=1320&amp;height=744&amp;fit=crop&amp;format=pjpg&amp;auto=webp 2x\" alt=\"Can you see it? The 2024 Subaru Crosstrek Wilderness was modeled after a hiking shoe.\" data-g-r=\"lazy\" \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"gnt_em_img_ccw gnt_em_img_ccw__cap gnt_em_img_ccw__crd\" data-c-caption=\"Can you see it? The 2024 Subaru Crosstrek Wilderness was modeled after a hiking shoe.\" data-c-credit=\"Henry Payne, The Detroit News\"><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">The Crosstrek Wilderness is wrapped in one of the wilder Subaru tennis shoe designs on the shelf. Like its successful Outback and Forester Wilderness cousins, it is larded with an expansive rubber sole \u2014 er, plastic cladding \u2014 to the point where the front end is completely black like a Merrell shoe. Wilderness\u2019s signature bronze highlights on the front fascia and the roof supports complete the signature look.<\/p>\n<aside class=\"gnt_m gnt_x gnt_x__lbl gnt_x__al\" aria-label=\"advertisement\">\n<div id=\"ad-slot-7103-mi-detroit-C1561-native-article_link-money-autos-6\" class=\"gnt_x_sl gnt_x_al\" data-g-r=\"lazy\" data-gl-method=\"lazyLoadX\" data-x-c=\"5\"><\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">At a time of rising vehicle prices, Crosstrek Wilderness is a welcome value with all-season dexterity and all-terrain capability. Just be sure to keep a hose in back of the garage. This shoe will need regular cleaning.<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\"><em>Next week: 2023 Ram 2500 Heavy Duty<\/em><\/p>\n<h2 class=\"gnt_ar_b_h2\">2024 Subaru Crosstrek Wilderness<\/h2>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">Vehicle type: Front engine, all-wheel drive five-passenger SUV<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">Price: $32,290, including $1,295 destination ($35,560 as tested)<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">Powerplant: 2.5-liter flat-4 cylinder<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">Power: 182 horsepower, 178 pound-feet of torque<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">Transmission: Continuously-variable with paddle shifters<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">Performance: 0-60 mph, 8.1 seconds (Car and Driver est.); towing, 3,500 pounds<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">Weight: 3,500 (est.)<\/p>\n<aside class=\"gnt_m gnt_x gnt_x__lbl gnt_x__al\" aria-label=\"advertisement\">\n<div id=\"ad-slot-7103-mi-detroit-C1561-native-article_link-money-autos-7\" class=\"gnt_x_sl gnt_x_al\" data-g-r=\"lazy\" data-gl-method=\"lazyLoadX\" data-x-c=\"6\"><\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">Fuel economy: EPA 25 mpg city\/29 highway\/27 combined<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\"><strong>Report card<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">Highs: Quiet on-road, capable off-road; 3,500-pound tow rating<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">Lows: Tight back seat; backup camera warning chime, please<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">Overall: 4 stars<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\"><em>Henry Payne is auto critic for The Detroit News. Find him at hpayne@detroitnews.com or Twitter @HenryEPayne.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Zion,\u00a0Utah\u00a0\u2014 The Subaru Crosstrek Wilderness\u2019s design was inspired by a hiking shoe, and it wants to explore like a hiking shoe. I took Subaru\u2019s latest extreme off-road model all over southwest Utah, and at the end of the day it resembled rugged footwear: covered in dirt, mud and as comfortable as when the day began. [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[7,87],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/31536"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=31536"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/31536\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":31537,"href":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/31536\/revisions\/31537"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=31536"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=31536"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=31536"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}