Subaru Crosstrek trim comparison
2024 Subaru Crosstrek Premium vs Wilderness
The Crosstrek Premium starts at $26,345 while the Wilderness is $32,195. That $5,850 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.
Start with the Premium if the 2.0L flat 4 already feels sufficient for the way you drive. Step up to the Wilderness only when the 2.5L flat 4 powertrain is the reason you are moving higher in the lineup.
If you are budgeting this move monthly, the jump from the Premium to the Wilderness is about $103/month on a 60-month loan at 6.5% APR with 10% down. That works out to roughly $6,180 more by the time interest is counted. The payment only makes sense if that different powertrain matters to the way you actually drive, tow, or live with the vehicle.
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
Both the Premium and Wilderness share the same continuously variable-speed automatic transmission.
The upgrade math
You are paying $5,850 for 4 measurable differences, which works out to about $1,462 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 | Premium | Wilderness |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | ||
| MSRP | $26,345 | $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 | No published data | 104.9" |
| Length | No published data | 176.4" |
| Height | No published data | 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 Premium 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 Premium?
The Wilderness starts at $32,195 compared to $26,345 for the Premium. That is a $5,850 difference, or approximately $103/month more on a 60-month loan.
Do the 2024 Subaru Crosstrek Premium and Wilderness have the same engine?
No. The Premium 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 Premium 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 Premium 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 Premium 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 $5,850 more than the Premium?
The $5,850 buys the 2.5L flat 4. If that powertrain matters for how you drive, yes. If not, the Premium does the same job for less.
Which 2024 Subaru Crosstrek trim gets better fuel economy, the Premium or the Wilderness?
The Premium 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 $5,850 Gets You
The Crosstrek Wilderness is a clear upgrade over the Premium. The $5,850 price increase gets you the 2.5L flat 4 engine (+30 hp) -- real functional changes, not just cosmetics.
Premium vs. Wilderness: Day-to-Day
The Wilderness comes with the 2.5L flat 4 instead of the Premium'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. The cost of that extra capability is roughly 2 fewer combined MPG.
Fuel Economy Comparison
The Crosstrek Premium 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
$5,850 more for the Crosstrek Wilderness gets you 4 real differences. At $103/month more, the question is whether those specific changes are things you will use regularly.
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 Premium
Value-trim add-onsThese picks fit the Premium 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.