2024 Subaru Outback Wilderness

Subaru was relentless in its quest to transform the Outback into a capable crossover vehicle, and in 2023 it introduced the Wilderness version as a 2024 model year.

While the Japanese automaker was not a serious contender in hard-core off-road vehicles, it was very capable in the crossover segment. But it knew its customers were eager to take their kayaks or mountain bikes and hit the roads to a camping area in the woods. So, to not lose these kinds of clients, Subaru offered them the Wilderness version.

The Wilderness version was stripped of chromed slats on the front grille and sported a black, unpainted front bumper. Its side scoops were no longer vertical and slim but horizontal and wide, with a honeycomb pattern design. But the automaker kept the lower round fog lamps in place, exposed to elements. On its front and rear fenders, the Wilderness version has received additional molds that protect the bodywork from scratches. Finally, at the back, there was a different bumper than on the rest of the Outback range, with fat outer areas, unpainted, and scratch-resistant.

Inside, the Wilderness Base version came fitted as standard with two 7” touchscreens on the center stack, where the upper one was used for the sound system while the lower provided the controls for the HVAC unit. The other trim level, Premium, received an 11.2” Multimedia Plus system that offered wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.

Under the hood, the only engine available was a 2.5-liter flat-four that pumped out 182 hp. Power was sent in all corners via a Lineartronic (CVT) transmission.