Crosstrek Overlanding after 100,000 Mile // Review

[@scullmann]

I assume your Falken Wildpeak AT are slightly larger than stock at 225/65/17s (since that particular tire model doesn’t come in the stock size of 225/60/17s) Did you notice a lack in performance after installing this size tire? Also do you know if this slightly larger tire would still be ok to run with the spare tire in a flat situation?

[@nathansaier]

Sorry for the delayed response, been on assignment. Yes I'm running 225/65R17 these don't rub at all (even with bumper), but they will rub with some aftermarket mudflaps. The spare on crosstreks are really small to begin with so running a spare with even stock tires isn't great for the car and you need to be careful, running the spare with the larger ATs isn't significantly worse since there's already a major disparity. Performance is a bit complicated, but no I didn't notice any but the more weight you add the more you MIGHT notice. The things to understand is how much weight the awd system is designed to handle, as a general rule of thumb I'd avoid tires with extra Ply, such as K02s this adds a lot of extra weight that wears on the entire system. The second piece to understand is sprung vs unsprung weight, aka the weight below and above your suspensions springs, the more above the smoother. So adding heavier tires that bounce around, will lead to a slightly less comfortable ride, albeit this can be easily countered by airing down on especially harsh roads. Lastly, MPG and Odometer, I did not notice any drop on mpg, but I'm not an efficient driver. Odometer was off by 1-8 mph depending on speed and tire tread. I did the calculations once and found it to be off by 8mph at 100mph. Bigger tire means inaccurate odometer calculations, but imperceptibly so.

[@RyeBread9096]

Can't deny that Subaru CVT's are stellar. Granted the CVT's are great, I absolutely love my 23 Crosstrek 6MT. 32,000 miles since new and I am so glad that I stuck to my guns on having mine made with the Manual despite the dealership trying to push the Sport model with the 2.5. Even tried to get me on the "it has paddle shifters, eh? It's just like shifting a stick but on the steering wheel. I promise you won't regret it." But he didn't know that I've already tested the paddles already and I was not changed. So I said no thanks I'll take my 2.0L with the manual thank you lol. I've seen a ton of lifted Crosstreks. I'd agree that a lift is not necessary unless you're doing some serious stuff. Though I have played with the thought of potentially swapping the shocks from the Wilderness since nothing really changed form the Gen2 to the Gen3 for that added ride height be it about 6 inches. But on that I'm still not 100% convinced on doing a minor lift, yet. Enjoyed your breakdown of the vehicle. They really are quite capable little tanks. Like the build you got going on.

[@vesperthetrek]

Great review! I’m getting close to 27k on my ‘23 sport . Feel the same way about snow and ice, the trek is a monster!

[@nathansaier]

Right, paddled this thing through 2-3 feet of fresh snow for a weekend long film project without getting stuck once.

[@garypan2698]

Good job! One of the best review on this one.

[@chiefenumclaw7960]

Excellent review, much obliged.

[@nathansaier]

Appreciate it!

[@SamCarlo]

Thank you!!

[@Soytomasnomas]

Man I have 2016 CT and got some craters the size of salt grains on my windshield, they sure are flimsy as you said! Awesome review!

[@nathansaier]

I'm honestly so tired of it, better to ride with it cracked then pay for another one that only lasts a month XD

[@jimbojumbo-os1np]

When you get it replaced go third party and not to a dealer. In australia ours are like that and i used a mobile service and got a third party screen on and its taken bigger rocks with no damage, vs the stock windshield that cracked from little bits of gravel.

[@silvertexan]

Do you teach your mpg with the different mods?

[@hookstrpd]

Lots of great info, thanks! Ever consider going with 15" wheels with Toyo Open Country -- I think that's a potentially a very lightweight combo. Also, do you have info on who made your front bumper? Thanks again!

[@nathansaier]

Had to look into that combination, but looks super solid! I haven't gone down to 15" rims yet because it seemed like a fairly unnecessary expense when I already paid extra for the fancy sport rims XD. I would definitely prefer 15s tho. As for the bumper, I made it myself! Designed it in CADD, prototyped with pvc, then made adjustments as I built, it's all just welded steel from a local supplier, about 200$ total. I designed it in such a way it matched the crumple force of the original. Took me about a week in a friends garage to get the welding figured out on scrap metal and finish the measurements. Another week to cut and assemble it using a chop saw, angle grinder and mig welder. It's finished with truck bed liner, and cold galvanized for the skid plates.

[@Doc1855]

If we go over 5K miles on an oil change, our Outback will burn oil. So every 5K miles it gets new full synthetic oil

[@nathansaier]

This is something like our 7th Subaru, and they definitely have a history of oil issues, haven't seen any with the Crosstrek but I'd be curious what year yours is?

[@jimbojumbo-os1np]

@@nathansaier "History of oil issues" My brother in christ your running oil for up to 15000 miles. You are the issue with the oil.

[@GentlemanEDC]

Where do I acquire this bumper?!

[@nathansaier]

Sorry mate, made this one myself borrowed a welder from a friend, designed it in cad, basic steel tubing from a steel supply store. Surprisingly not that hard.

[@gabrielfelixmunoz739]

what happens when an awd system wears out? I've never heard of that.

[@nathansaier]

Uneven distribution of power to tires, sometimes causing pulling to one side. Incorrect correction for traction control, I've had it happen on older Subarus but idk what the tolerance would be on the newer systems. That point was in reference to a discussion we had with a Subaru specialist about the additional load created by different tires. Idk what the worst case scenario would be but overtime your AWD just becomes unbalanced and less effective.

[@Lars44680]

No way you’re getting over 30mpg, no bumper, rooftop tent, and aggressive driving my bet is closer to 27

[@asylumslaves]

Totally agree!

[@nathansaier]

03:56 "If you're driving this car stock and not putting too much on or in it..." this is meant for the majority of people who wouldn't do this too a Crosstrek and are better drivers than myself. Then our entire modification section is about how everything you do chips away at mpg. Sorry if that was misleading in any way but tried to lay it out multiple times in the video that the mpg doesn't hold up when changes are made. I cover our exact mpg with different tents in my video on that, but even 27 is high with that tent on I'll get around 24 on a good day, stock I only ever got 28 (I drive hard), and with cut and no RTT I get around 27. At fully loaded I've gotten 18 on avg, bike, rtt, ski racks, bed in car.

[@UTeeNye]

this guy must be subaru fanboy. if you want a true offroader just get the 4 runner offroad or bronco or jeep. don’t mess with wanna be offroader you are going to regretted. there are beautiful places that you just can’t get to with all wheel drive vehicle that low to ground. you need high clearance and low range 4 wheeler. i offroad a lot with my lifted 4 runner all over the western states and have been through many rough and gnarly roads so i have experienced to speak on the matter. i have seen all wheel drive vehicle get stuck many times and having to be tow out. also seen them having to camp in shitty campsite because they can’t get to remote campsite due to there lack of offroad capability. you want a truck that can go anywhere, do all things that you needed it to do, and get you home safely then be honest with yourself and get a 4 runner.

[@nathansaier]

Done a good amount of off-roading with a lot of different vehicles. From a first edition bronco, to jeeps on 36, and more recently a ram 3500. I won't deny that there are things u can do with them that the Crosstrek can't do. But most people will be limited by their own ability long before the vehicle's capabilities. Across 110k miles of regular off-roading I've run into 1 feature we needed to cross but couldn't, and we just ended up building a ramp down it w/ 5min of digging. The trade off is better gas mileage, better handling, better suspension than a truck, better traction control than a 4wd and overall a more enjoyable ride. Of the vehicle's you've listed the 4 runner has body roll issues, I've never driven a jeep that was pleasant, and broncos cost 2x a Crosstrek. I'll take the comfort and handling of a Crosstrek even if it means I have to be a little more careful on most trails. Equally if I'm rock crawling a rig that can properly rock crawl likely isn't even highway legal. So it's a spectrum where each person needs to find the balance they're looking for. For most people this is more capable than they need.

[@spmadeinusa4594]

My two cents after more than 200k miles with my Wrangler Will it go just about anywhere? Yes. Does it suck on the highway getting to just about anywhere? Yes. (not to mention daily driving, which often translates into buying another vehicle) They do look cool and they'll attract lots of attention. However, these days the honest answer is a good side by side, or for the most extreme cases - a good ATV (quad). We spent ten days in the Big Horn a few months ago on some of the most challenging trails in the West. Full sized 4x4, including lifted Wranglers simply could not make it up the most remote trails where we had to cut trees to clear a path. The classic "true offroader" might just be a dinosaur, especially when side by sides that cost half or less are allowed anywhere off the interstate. But those lifted trucks sure look cool on those 35s.