Subaru Crosstrek trim comparison
2024 Subaru Crosstrek Base vs Wilderness
The Crosstrek Base starts at $25,195 while the Wilderness is $32,195. That $7,000 gap buys 5 meaningful differences.
This trim jump changes the engine from 2.0L flat 4 to 2.5L flat 4. Everything else is secondary to whether that powertrain difference matters for how you drive.
If you would notice the 2.5L flat 4 every week, the Wilderness makes sense. If not, the Base is the cleaner stop because this jump matters for the powertrain first and the trim badge second.
If you are budgeting this move monthly, the jump from the Base to the Wilderness is about $123/month on a 60-month loan at 6.5% APR with 10% down. That works out to roughly $7,380 more by the time interest is counted. If that different powertrain is not part of your real use case, the cheaper trim keeps more money in your pocket without changing the core experience you need.
Lock one trim, change the other side, and move through exact pair pages without resetting back to the full lineup every time.
Who notices the difference
The higher trim starts to make more sense when you are specifically shopping for the stronger powertrain, not just more trim content.
When both feel the same
The Base and Wilderness are mechanically identical where it counts: the same continuously variable-speed automatic transmission.
The upgrade math
You are paying $7,000 for 4 measurable differences, which works out to about $1,750 per change.
Key Differences at a Glance
This is the fast read: price, power, efficiency, and the feature flips most likely to change the answer.
Every Difference, Side by Side
This is the full read behind the quick decision signals above: the complete hardware, comfort, and equipment story. 5 specification differences, 1 shared.
Full Specification Comparison
Specifications reflect available data as of early 2024. Confirm details with an authorized dealer before purchasing.
| Spec | Base | Wilderness |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | ||
| MSRP | $25,195 | $32,195 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine | 2.0L flat 4 | 2.5L flat 4 |
| Horsepower | 152 hp | 182 hp |
| Torque | 145 lb-ft | 178 lb-ft |
| Transmission | continuously variable-speed automatic | continuously variable-speed automatic |
| Drivetrain | AWD | AWD |
| Fuel Economy | ||
| City MPG | 27 | 25 |
| Highway MPG | 34 | 29 |
| Combined MPG | 29 | 27 |
| Annual Fuel Cost (EPA) | $1,500/yr | No published data |
| Dimensions | ||
| Wheelbase | 105.1" | 104.9" |
| Length | 176.4" | 176.4" |
| Height | 63.0" | 63.6" |
| Safety | ||
| NHTSA Overall | 5/5 stars | 5/5 stars |
| Warranty | ||
| Bumper-to-Bumper | 3yr/36k | 3yr/36k |
| Powertrain | 5yr/60k | 5yr/60k |
| Corrosion | 5yr/unlimited | 5yr/unlimited |
| Roadside Assistance | 3yr/36k | 3yr/36k |
Data sources: licensed third-party automotive data, EPA fueleconomy.gov, NHTSA, and official manufacturer materials. Values marked est. are estimated.
2024 Subaru Crosstrek Base vs Wilderness Questions Shoppers Ask
Use this page for the direct trim answer, then zoom back out to the Subaru Crosstrek lineup, the Subaru brand hub, the Compact SUVs, the how to pick a trim guide, or our mid-trim value research when you need the bigger shopping path behind this one matchup.
How much more does the 2024 Crosstrek Wilderness cost than the Base?
The Wilderness starts at $32,195 compared to $25,195 for the Base. That is a $7,000 difference, or approximately $123/month more on a 60-month loan.
Do the 2024 Subaru Crosstrek Base and Wilderness have the same engine?
No. The Base uses a 2.0L flat 4 (152 hp, 145 lb-ft), while the Wilderness has the 2.5L flat 4 (182 hp, 178 lb-ft). That is 30 more horsepower. Both pair with the same continuously variable-speed automatic.
Do the 2024 Crosstrek Base and Wilderness have the same drivetrain?
Yes. Both come with AWD as standard. The differences between these trims are in features and equipment, not drivetrain.
Is the 2024 Crosstrek Base or Wilderness safer?
Both share the same Subaru Crosstrek platform with an overall 5-star NHTSA safety rating. Safety ratings are model-level and identical across trims. The trim choice affects comfort and features, not crash protection.
What warranty does the 2024 Subaru Crosstrek come with?
All 2024 Subaru Crosstrek trims, including both the Base and Wilderness, come with Subaru's standard warranty: 3yr/36k bumper-to-bumper and 5yr/60k powertrain coverage. Warranty does not vary by trim level.
Is the 2024 Subaru Crosstrek Wilderness worth $7,000 more than the Base?
The $7,000 buys the 2.5L flat 4. If that powertrain matters for how you drive, yes. If not, the Base does the same job for less.
Which 2024 Subaru Crosstrek trim gets better fuel economy, the Base or the Wilderness?
The Base is the more efficient of the two at 29 combined MPG, versus 27 for the other trim. That matters most if you are balancing running costs against the extra power, drivetrain, or comfort equipment tied to the pricier trim.
The Full Story Behind This Price Gap
Use the direct answer above for this exact matchup, then use these guides to understand whether you are really looking at a feature step-up, a package shuffle, or the point where the lineup starts changing in a meaningful way.
What $7,000 Gets You
At $7,000 more, the Crosstrek Wilderness adds the 2.5L flat 4 engine (+30 hp). This is a situational call. If those features are on your must-have list, the upgrade makes sense. If not, the Base delivers the same core Crosstrek experience for less.
Base vs. Wilderness: Day-to-Day
The Wilderness comes with the 2.5L flat 4 instead of the Base's 2.0L flat 4. That means 30 more horsepower and 33 more lb-ft of torque. Enough to notice on highway on-ramps and during passing maneuvers. In return, expect about 2 fewer combined MPG.
Fuel Economy Comparison
The Crosstrek Base gets 2 more combined MPG. At $3.50/gallon and 12,000 miles/year, that saves roughly $108 per year or $540 over five years of ownership.
Summary
The Crosstrek Wilderness costs $7,000 more than the Base (about $123/month more on a 60-month loan). That buys 4 meaningful changes at $1,750 per change. Whether that trade-off is worth it depends on which features matter to your daily driving.
Trim-Matched Accessories
These add-ons are split by trim intent so the recommendations follow the actual use case, not just the same repeated product block.
Subaru Crosstrek Base
Value-trim add-onsThese picks fit the Base best when the goal is covering the daily-use gaps without paying up to the next trim.
Subaru Crosstrek Wilderness
Step-up trim add-onsThese picks suit the Wilderness when you want the accessories to match the nicer cabin, broader utility, or more premium use case.
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Specifications shown combine licensed third-party automotive data with official manufacturer, EPA, and NHTSA source material for the 2024 model year. Actual pricing, features, and availability may vary by region and dealer. Always confirm details with an authorized dealer before making a purchase decision. TrimAtlas is not affiliated with Subaru or any dealership.
Page updated 2026-03-18. Verify equipment, pricing, and regional availability with the manufacturer or dealer.