Subaru Crosstrek Wilderness vs Ice, Snow & Mud! Will the Subaru Make it Through?

[@nlken7175]

That little thing was super impressive.

[@barry7920]

Subarus have great AWD systems, and the stock tires on this thing are still more like an all-season tire. With Falken WildPeak or any of a number of other options better suited for mud and snow, this thing will do a lot better.

[@MarcGaerlan]

Great vehicle. My only complaint is not having a front camera like the Outback and Forester Wilderness editions. A vehicle made for going harder on trails/off road really should have that.

[@jeremythebeer8609]

I've had my CrossTrek XV for 10 years. No issues. I wish they still had a manual transmission.

[@rickm8456]

It’s looks like a 90’s hiking shoe. Having grown up in the 90’s, I love it.

[@carmenmarcinkiewicz7149]

Yes it does look like a hiking shoe!!😂😂 I think k that's one of the reasons I'm so attracted to it.

[@CenryHavill]

That's what my wife said about my new 2024 outback wilderness hahaha

[@EllysaE]

No you did not hahahahah

[@rickm8456]

@@EllysaE I didn’t? Whatever loser.

[@knightryder3757]

If that was a new vehicle with less than 2000 km on it, the smell you were describing is the undercoating being burnt off of the various exhaust components.

[@SME5724]

I’m not a Subaru fan and I usually don’t like all the Subaru plastic but I like the way this looks … Subarus awd is top class

[@RidersInBlack]

Great video Steve! What an impressive car on your test! 3500lb towing capacity! Transmission cooler! Reasonable price for what you get sounds like a winner to me

[@zgh9012]

Impressive! Wheels throwing snow like a snow blower!

[@uncalm]

Good, fair review and a great demonstration of the kind of capability you can and cannot expect. It's not a truck and not pretending to be. The Crosstrek is a "rough roader", like you said. That said, a truly surprising number of people mod and off-road these. Lots of people add a 1-2" lift for the reasons you stated. The aftermarket is quite large, with everything from lift kits to skid plates to auto-locking rear diffs available. The smell is likely the brakes, as all of these Subaru Wilderness models (I have an Outback myself) use open differentials and the torque vectoring is accomplished solely via wheel braking and the center clutch pack. Especially given that you were in the "allow more wheel spin" mode, the interventions of the brakes will be happening when the wheels are spinning a bit faster. I'd be curious to see if you still got the smell when using the "Snow/Dirt" mode, since it biases toward more aggressive braking and slower wheel speeds. Thanks again for a cool demonstration!

[@JonZimmerman-t3e]

Beast of little off roader

[@ken8212]

Got a my first Subaru years ago. Loved it. Super capable and dependable. We live in the north where we see a lot of snow and harsh weather ❄️ Now we are a family with all Subaru’s! 😎

[@Soul2burn]

Im 72 and i just bought one for adventure fishing and i love it except for all the tech i wish there was less tech but i do love it and do not regret my purchase

[@c.d.7130]

I myself own a cross truck, not the wilderness. however, that smell is usually first round run, mine went away after about a week. and I love this vehicle.

[@Zanderthelab]

Thank you for finally doing a Subaru video! I’ve been waiting for you to do one I love subies! The burning smell is obviously the brakes from vectoring.

[@Wrangler59]

Subaru's are great in snow.

[@cryptojlg630]

They gotta put a bed on one of these. CrossTruk.

[@subiesojourner777]

A new Baja or BRAT? 😁

[@seanholloway2158]

I love your reviews and yhe fact that you do canadian testing. Most offroading tests I see are in the desert or dry, rocky terrain. I live in Labrador, Canada, and seeing deep snow, proper mud and forest trails are very relatable. Keep up the great work!

[@phillippowell1266]

I have the 2024 outback wilderness. It is awesome in the winter. Kind a wish I would’ve bought this one.

[@JeffSpehar-ov1cn]

Outback is more powerful.

[@tonycarel1785]

Great review! I love the fact that Subaru implements real-world use in their vehicles. Rather than just being a sticker in a badge package very impressive I would like to see more horsepower and torque. I would definitely buy one for myself and or my wife

[@lmac196067]

Awesome video! You doing an amazing job putting everything together and I hardly ever see those stop and go editing glitches!

[@ScottMyers-l1z]

I'd like to see these tests done with proper winter tires.

[@ScottMyers-l1z]

7 Months ago, and I'm still watching these damn videos and haven't bought the car yet.

[@davidwayne9982]

I"ve been against these for a while-- because of "feelings" from past experiences-- that boxers are weak and cvts are trash and they sound "tinny" and cheap---- to realizing that's all BULLSHIT and these are GREAT CARS... finally- it's taken a long time to overcome the negatives of past info... BUT I always like the looks of these- and they look like FUN too.. :) I LOVE that blue too!!! :) and even the Gold accents.. -- wish they'd do the gold wheels as SARAH-N-TUNED suggested... :)

[@trailrunnah8886]

Same! I actually like the look of these, though. I think they're a little small, but I've always thought the drive train was trash. I'm finally starting to come around to really liking them, and I was just looking at the Subaru website the other day and they actually seem like a decent value compared to what other vehicles are going for.

[@davidwayne9982]

@@trailrunnah8886YES- it's growing on me too!

[@boxer4engine]

This Subaru is a small beast. Great review!

[@glitchard3685]

Thank you so much for putting this together and running these tests. I'm looking to get one of these very soon and snow travel is a MAJOR concern of mine. This made me excited to get behind the wheel of this vehicle. Thanks again.

[@denisleblanc4506]

This is a car I'm really interested in. You've got me worrying a bit about the smell you were getting. Of course we automatically suspect the CVT but this one does have an oil cooler plus there is a warning if it gets too hot. In those conditions I don't think the CVT was working that hard since there was a lot of spinning. CVT's tend to heat up fast when the engine is working hard and the wheels aren't spinning much. That makes me wonder if it wasn't the brakes. It uses a brake based system to accomplish the "torque vectoring" and since you had a lot of higher speed spinning in the snow the brakes might have heated up more. But you should know if it was the brakes or something else. Have you looked into it more to find out what the smell was?

[@ALMX5DP]

Yeah not sure what type of smell he detected but being a new vehicle it’s not uncommon for things to smell and offgas especially during the first real hard use where components get hot. A gear oil smell should be quite distinct. There’s also the possibility that some items that it was dragging over on the snow got caught underneath and burned off.

[@MNsaint]

@@ALMX5DP Yes, this. My (then) new 2020 Crosstrek smelled of oil when it was new as does my now new 2024 Crosstrek Wilderness. After a time, the smell went away on my 2020 and I assume (hope?) it'll do the same with my CTW. It would be helpful to know how many miles/kms were on the CTW he tested.

[@briAction]

Have a new ctw, also noticed the smell. It went away about 500 miles in. Assuming it was brakes breaking in, definitely didn't smell like transmission or oil or anything.

[@jamespostle6894]

i really don't think its the cvt. Ive done this same thing in my older outback and my cvt temps never went over 180f

[@bradbaraniuk4085]

ryan doughted hope i spelled that right loves the one that subaru gave him to use,hes from driving sports tv which you probaly new.

[@chiefenumclaw7960]

Best review on the internet! Personally, I would go for the base model and put a bigger lift kit + slightly larger tires to fix the front approach angle problem. This truly is the cars achilles heel as you stated.

[@dannykrauskopf7404]

Excellent review as always!!! 😁

[@Armored_Saint]

We come from the land of the ice and snow. From the midnight sun where the hot springs flow. - led zeppelin 3 (1970)

[@neogeoking]

Great review. Love you guys.

[@michaellilly9342]

Love the review of my favorite brand guys.❤

[@gerryclark4330]

Nice review. Would have been nice to see how the x mode snow/dirt compared to the deep snow/mud

[@deadronin47]

I want one I’ve watched all the video I can find on it It will be my next vehicle Subaru cross track wilderness

[@johnjones6336]

Is there a way to lift the front to make more of a approach angle, something equal with the departure angle?‼️ I tried to look up different kits that would do that.(but they all look like they would void my warranty.) if Subaru would make that same vehicle with the reduced overhang nose in a 35 to 40° approach angle, that would be 🫡🤩bad to the bone.

[@vypir313]

From videos I've been watching since getting my forester, I'm fairly certain that the only way to improve your approach and departure angles is to do a suspension lift and bumper modifications. These wilderness models can definitely be made into beastly offroaders, even more so than they already are as stock.

[@Cylon333]

Let me just correct the MSP price in the 🇺🇸 is 35k, but you are right, is very aggressive in protecting you on the road(the camera system etc) that’s why I choose to buy and share with my son who is still learning to drive, has even airbags on the seat, and also you are super right about the info system (radio etc) is very annoying and keeps disconnecting the phone when you are talking, other than that everything is fine so long

[@techguydilan]

That burning smell is likely the brake pads. TC/VSC based AWD vehicles can absolutely roast them during extended periods of TC activation, and the newer the brakes are the more they'll smell during said occurrences.

[@Didyoureallythinkaboutit]

Doesn’t instill confidence such a short sprint can cause burning smell. I’m on the fence, Tacoma, Outback Crosstrek, Maverick. Other?

[@BroItsTJ]

I would definitely buy one if it came with a manual since it doesn’t offer one I’m not into it. What was Subaru thinking?? Save the manuals😢

[@gobear83]

Im a big Subie fan we have a 2024 Forester Wilderness and a 2024 Crosstrek onyx…. Keepers

[@longballist]

My 2018 Forester xt 2.0 DIT… is a beast … lots more torque at 248 ft. lbs….. fun! Recently drove an Outback Wilderness with the 2.4 DIT and it was very impressive.

[@tommymas1]

258 lbs of torque for 2018 XT Forester.....

[@travisclarkin4277]

These are sick

[@coreydw1]

Jealous you get the heated wheel up north. Looked at the wilderness, having a wrangler and looking for more of a commuter car, went limited.

[@Slickpete83]

*another great review by Truck King* *what to buy in Canada 2022 Toyota Rav4 trail TRD or Subaru Crosstrek Wilderness, what will last longer and drive better, when I think Subaru I think the following problems 1) will rust fast , 2)head gaskets will go out 3)infotainment & climate controls have no physical buttons*

[@bendino9016]

I would say get the rav4 hybrid, get some better shocks and tires if you wanna hit some gravel and light offroading. my buddy gets 40mpg in his rav4 hybrid.

[@Veeetz]

For off-roading I would say CTW would perform better. Driving Sports TV did a comparison between those 2 models and the CTW (May have been a Forrester but same thing) and the Subaru AWD outmatched that of the Toyota. The infotainment system is what it is, I only hope there are no issues with the wireless CarPlay. As for the head gaskets, that from what I've learned from Scotty Kilmer would be the single most expensive repair one will be due to the RTV silicone that breaks down over time, but from what Scotty says, you typically don't see that till around 400+K kms, so if you keep cars that long then you'll have to deal with it but if you don't then it will fall on the next owner.

[@Slickpete83]

@@Veeetz *thanks for the info* 👍👍

[@Alpha-e6j]

Love the blue & gold. Wish they offered the gold rims for it.

[@ImSoMinimal]

Is X mode only able to be activated by the Infotainment center or is there also a “physical button”?

[@DebbieDooo]

I will never do this with mine, but I love my CTW!!

[@Caliban_80]

In certain colors it looks great.

[@lanceripplinger8352]

Enjoyed the review. At least you got to test a Subaru, unlike poor TFL 😂

[@bendino9016]

i love that hahahaha

[@wildbill23c]

TFL continues to bash on Subaru because they have no clue how to actually drive most AWD vehicles in the first place...soon as the wheels spin they let off the accelerator and wonder why the systems don't work like expected...there's a KZbin Channel that does a lot of Subaru reviews and takes his test vehicles on an offroad course....impressed with how the Subaru lineup does when someone that can drive actually is behind the wheel.....pretty cool setup that Subaru has....I'm looking at a Subaru Forester Wilderness.

[@MikeOliveira-qz4og]

Subaru sold 36% of there company to Toyota witch to be honest that’s a really good business move on Subaru

[@jamespostle6894]

driving sports tv?@@wildbill23c

[@trailrunnah8886]

​​@@wildbill23cisn't that the point of AWD though? You don't need to "know" how to drive it, you just get in and go? I could understand if this had lockers and and low range and whatnot, but it doesn't.

[@dylanschmidt4607]

I was looking at buying one of these, but now that watching your video and you saying that you’re smelling a burning smell tells me that they did not mention that the CVT has a separate cooler. Which tells me the CVT is actually burning up because it’s not meant for high torque.

[@pleaseadoptus]

Read the other comments. 180 isn't high torque.

[@robertpiscatelli4855]

X mode cuts out at 25 mph just an fyi. If you have it pegged at 5000 rpm it’s only using the normal Awd.

[@jamespostle6894]

not in the wilderness models. the deep snow and mud mode doesnt cut out.

[@goldenrakelawncare6564]

Honestly impressive!

[@samuelmatthews246]

Great video and a great car.

[@dagwood4669]

I thoroughly enjoyed that review

[@bradbaraniuk4085]

i would get the forester wilderness more room and it might have better angles.your old employer tfl they have a hate on with subaru

[@MarioLuigi-vb3rp]

If Subaru releases a small wilderness truck it will sell out

[@richadent968]

I noticed all the SUVs have that massive low front overhang.

[@АлтайСавруков]

Why don't you use normal winter tires? A/T is not a winter tire... When the road is black ice - A/T tires are really bad

[@brovold72]

Approach vector? What stock passenger car gives you better than 9" clearance??

[@baristaman2]

Anyone with more experience think the transmission cooler is going to extend the life of the transmission vs the non-wilderness Crosstrek?

[@kevinkyser1274]

I would buy one, but I want a manual transmission.

[@KingKong-]

Good review🙏🙏🙏.......very few channels show offroading & real capabilities👍👍👍👍👍......most channels are like visiting showrooms with fake salesman😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@wildbill23c]

Driving Sports TV does some great Subaru reviews in some pretty nasty conditions sometimes. Ryan does a great job showing the capability of the vehicles he tests.

[@KingKong-]

@@wildbill23c yes, I subd to most automotive channels😉😉😉😉.....ya like I said, most channels dont test all SUV brands like VW, Audi, Hyundai, Ford, Toyota hybrids etc etc offroad, snowy trails......so we have to hunt to see such videos🤪🤪🤪🤪🤪🤪🤪

[@dejanstefancic7528]

you need to get real winter tyres ( not the all-season tyres you have on your car now ) and you will have a 90% better and safer driving experience !!! by, Dean from Slovenia (europe)

[@michaelburch154]

I am impressed

[@saskrider2-m1m]

You should of mentioned the different engines within the Crosstrek lineup

[@jamescruse3544]

Why. He’s no reviewing any other models engines. Google it yourself.

[@johnnyisahermit]

the tires are not a dedicated winter tire.

[@dannyboy1984]

Not bad considaring the stock tire

[@rickygreene8870]

Great review.

[@CossyXY]

38,000 CAD is 27,477.50 Usd

[@jeffr6280]

A turbo away from being fantastic.

[@car24dude]

This Subaru needs a WRX ENGINE ! !

[@phillipandrews7610]

Why sp much wheel spin?

[@RKmndo]

A Cherokee Trailhawk or Bronco Sport Badlands are probably going to be better in tough conditions. They have traction diffs and at least 250HP. They also have forced induction, and the Cherokee has 4Low.

[@trailrunnah8886]

I feel like the Cherokee never got the credit that it deserved, because it was so ugly. I wish they would redesign it while keeping the capability, but I've heard that the model is being axed.

[@gabrielfelixmunoz739]

I might need a power wagon anymore

[@IronmanV5]

Needs a stick or at least a normal auto transmission. If it had a stick I'd swap in a dual range and add an Edelbrock twin screw supercharger for better low end and high altitude performance

[@edsmith9855]

Its a nice package, but too expensive, IMO. With all the option packages, a Crosstrek can reach 35k US. It is a bit more capable off road than a lot of competitors, the the competitors have better powertrain options and nicer interiors and entertainments systems.

[@Thankyou_3]

Subaru, Subaru, Subaru! You guys keep claiming that all your oil leak issues, coolant leak issues and head gasket issues were fixed but I am still seeing oil leak issues still rampant. What is going on???!? Are you guys still using RTV sealant or have transitioned to gaskets?!???

[@fritty9927]

Style over function. CVT’s may work ok on street but not a good choice for off road. I owned a 2006 Baja with normal transmission and it was a beast in deep snow. Was it as capable as my current FJ or my wife’s Tacoma? No. But it’s was a great little mini truck.

[@ALMX5DP]

Seemed to do fine here, which is probably more than most owners would ever attempt.

[@fritty9927]

@@ALMX5DP you missed the part about the smell. I promise it was the CVT.

[@ALMX5DP]

@@fritty9927 I didn’t miss that and even Steve didn’t know exactly what that was. I provided a couple of other potential explanations in another comment.

[@fritty9927]

@@ALMX5DP I saw your other explanations. I also watched many videos where it was tested, and in most the CVT overheated. Not saying it couldn’t possibly be something else but it is usually the number one suspect.

[@ALMX5DP]

@@fritty9927 sure, though this didn’t overheat and was just a smell. Others suggest it could have been brakes due to the torque vectoring. Ultimately we’ll likely never find out the exact culprit.

[@45687984654]

Subaru needs to raise the ground clearance to min 10.5 inches , new engine min 250 horses and a killer wheels with Goodyear Territory R/T tires . Case closed.

[@yashgaur1684]

He didn’t have to use x-mode 1 or 2 even once lol

[@jamescruse3544]

He turned on X2 at the very start lol.

[@poppa_da_corn]

I love Subarus but the cvt's turn me right off. I don't like the feeling nor the sound. And I know they'd sell alot more if it wasn't for that.

[@briAction]

I have a ctw and the cvt has performed really well so far (about 800 miles on it rn), sounds just fine, the gearing is nice, legit feels like driving a tank.

[@vinnpu]

The gold accents .... no.

[@midnightexpress1567]

You can get a Frontier for that $$.

[@nh0809]

현대 기아도 이런차좀 만들었으면 좋겠다

[@daporter84]

Great now you'll have Gus out here in Vancouver thinking that because they have Crosstrek they'll be fine in the snow and end up sliding down a hill

[@davidthomas9267]

I was in back seat of a regular Crosstrek and my old 77 year old body could not get in and out very good!!

[@kevingroulx9205]

I don’t like the gold accents.

[@bendino9016]

i wish so badly this body and platform had the toyota prius/corolla awd hybrid system in it. it would be the BEST car on the road, well minus subaru infotainment and displays. i prefer toyota. basically toyota should take this and make the new "matrix" with this. I know mazda and toyota and colabing. maybe subaru and toyota need to join forces...

[@donnycraft869]

You should never put different tires on - or ALWAYS put different tires on.

[@MrBobbyBrown2006]

I would note the insane price increases from Subaru (and many more manufacturers) in Canada. TWO years ago, the Outback Wilderness was $42,000. This year this Crosstrek Wilderness is $40,000. That is absolutely insane. Both are great vehicles, but the amount of $ they are charging PLUS the interest rates hikes from the bank... leads to insane payments for anyone leasing or financing (which is 96% of people). I like Subaru as a company, but there is clear price gauging here.

[@jeffer1101]

The $40,572 includes freight and fees though, keep that in mind. It is still a competitively equipped and priced vehicle in its class.. A 2024 Outback Wilderness is $47,372, which is a $2800 increase from 2 years ago. I'm not sure what (if any) changes to the vehicle have been made, but inflation has hit everything hard in the past 2 years. As that vehicle is made in Japan, it may be susceptible to currency exchange fluctuations as well.

[@MrBobbyBrown2006]

@@jeffer1101 Which is why I referenced a 2022 Outback Wilderness, not 2024. And yes, inflation is a catalyst, but corporate greed is on the back of inflation. It's undeniable, objectively.

[@jeffer1101]

@@MrBobbyBrown2006 Yes, I realize you said a 2022 Outback Wilderness. I just mentioned the 2024 to show you the price difference between them (2 year spread). A $2800 isn't nothing, but I don't know if there are any differences in the vehicles in terms of features, etc but the reality is it is still priced competitively in the market. Everything is getting expensive.

[@NothingCoherent]

Compare this Wilderness to the previous "Outdoor" trim that was being sold in Canada for $29,995. The only major difference is that the Wilderness has the new interior, different tires, and a transmission cooler. The half inch lift is whatever, and the final drive is now 4.11, but I'll point out that on the Outdoor trim was already 3.9, not the 3.7 the base models have now. Basically, it's a very minor set of changes for a $10,000+ price increase. Delivery cost has gone up as well, of course. The Crosstrek used to be a good value. I don't know anymore. Oh yeah -- No front camera on the new model. Oops.

[@AkioWasRight]

@@MrBobbyBrown2006 Is the constant of greed really noteworthy? It's not like corporations are your friends, they are for-profits. Their goal is to make as much money is legally possible, but that's not how the market works. They only charge as much people are willing to spend, and that's the whole problem. People are willing to spend 2x the amount for what are essentially lifted station wagons. I don't blame car companies for taking advantage of that.

[@FunkMasterJunk]

Holy shit! I thought it was a Pontiac Aztec.

[@jtamezf]

I got the limited just bc of the cladding. Will lift it and change wheels.

[@marknelson9406]

Pros - impressive awd system. Perhaps the best available in a car. Cons - cvt, boxer engine, hideous cladding, oversized /sluggish entertainment screen, poor fuel economy and relatively high long term maintenance costs due to complexity of full time awd system. All that said, If you live where it snows a lot, it must be worth all the cons, as you see a huge number of them on the road.

[@NHDude]

Never noticed how atrocious the Crosstrek's C-pillar visibility is until you sat in the back.

[@michaelbury1941]

Nice. Like the vehicle. NOT WORTH 40K CAN! People who buy this at the price are either rich or fiscally irresponsible. It's based on a budget hatchback folks Remember that.

[@Veeetz]

Don't agree. Compared to its competitors, typically Toyota Rav4 but also Honda CRV (some people compare it to Mazda CX30 but I don't think its a good comparison) price point is around the same or typically much cheaper and the reviews tend to favour Subaru AWD with respect to performance. Now, with respect to repairs, typically Subarus are more expensive from what I've learned, but I'm not sure.

[@Scotto97]

I took delivery of one 2 weeks ago. And yes, I'm rich. The Maserati convertible is not great in the snow - LOL

[@Atomb]

It's wayyyyyy over-styled. Would not buy, despite liking the concept. Cringe.

[@MrDaveB123]

Who gives a s$%t if you can see where the wheels are spinning serves no purpose. They need cameras

[@healthyamerican]

thats worth $25,000...no more than that. i wont even bring up the subaru problems which subarus are famous for. burning smell on a test drive is all you need to know

[@bradevans1661]

It's a press car with probably less than 1,000kms on it being pegged at 5k rpm repeatedly. It's going to be burning off some undercoat, etc.

[@debienright8642]

HATE THE BRASS ACCENTS GONNA GET THEM WRAPPED TO BLACK

[@fl350r]

The perfect vehicle for Karen’s to drive to their winter protests in.

[@poppa_da_corn]

Feel better Karen?

[@fl350r]

@@poppa_da_corn Uh-oh, sounds like somebody got their feelings hurt...... Didn't they Karen?

[@mountainhobo]

"Karens", ffs. Plural, not possessive.

[@fl350r]

Oh lawdy, now we have a grammar Karen involved.

[@mountainhobo]

@@fl350r I see you have a rather limited repertoire. My point was, if you want to be an a$hole toward others, at least try not to come across as an illiterate one.

[@MeGaTrOn361-j6d]

That’s an ugly car.