SUBARU Crosstrek Models/Series Timeline, Specifications & Photos

After successfully introducing the Outback Wilderness at the beginning of 2023, Subaru also launched the Crosstrek Wilderness in April same year.

The Japanese automaker was renowned for its crossovers and the all-wheel drive systems that it produced. But some customers found vehicles such as the Forester or the Tribeca too large for their daily needs and asked for smaller ones but without giving up a bit of ground clearance to make them capable of tackling unpaved roads. So, for those willing to spend their quality time in the middle of nature, Subaru made the Wilderness versions, and after the Outback, the Crosstrek followed.

Sharing its platform with the rest of its siblings, the Wilderness version of the Crosstrek featured a revised look. This included exclusive body cladding with unpainted lower areas. These were scratch-resistant, so the owners didn't have to bother about damaging them over bushes. In addition, the increased ground clearance up to 9.3" (236 mm) enhanced the rugged look of the car. Moreover, a metallic skid plate was mounted underneath the engine bay.

Inside, the Crosstrek Wilderness featured water-resistant upholstery, and the front seats sported the Wilderness logo embroidered on their headrests. In addition, the copper-colored decoration that adorned the steering wheel was unique for this trim level. Moreover, Subaru installed a standard 11.6" touchscreen for the infotainment system, a wireless charger at the bottom of the center stack, and EyeSight Driver Assist Technology.

But changes continued on the technical side too. Thanks to the increased ground clearance, the approach, departure, and break-over angles had increased to 20, 33, and 21.1 degrees, respectively. In addition, the CVT gearbox featured a 4.111 final drive instead of the 3.7 as the rest of the range.

Subaru introduced the third generation of the Crosstrek in 2023 at the Chicago Auto Show, continuing the saga of its best-selling crossover.

The car was designed to tackle light off-road situations and perform excellently on the roads. In addition, its customers didn't have problems finding parking spots since the vehicle was short enough to fit almost anywhere. Even though this nameplate's second generation was appreciated, the automaker decided to replace it after just six years since it introduced it back in 2017.

At the front, the car featured a new front fascia with a different grille that sported a chromed hexagonal pattern. In addition, the lower bumper was fitted with L-shaped LED daytime running lights. Also, the hood was reshaped. From its profile, the 8.7" (22 cm) ground clearance was enough to keep the car safe in many off-road situations. Another significant element was the last row of windows, placed in the C-pillars, which sported an angular design. Finally, at the back, the raked-forward tailgate was adorned with a roof spoiler mounted on its upper side.

The cabin was fit for five adults and provided a decent room for the rear passengers. At the front, the bolstered seats offered some side support, appreciated by those who asked for more from their Subaru. In addition, the driver benefited from the EyeSight Driver Assist Technology that helped the one behind the wheel to control the car in any situation. Atop the center stack, Subaru installed a portrait-mode 11.6" touchscreen for the infotainment system that featured wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. At the back, customers could use the 60/40 split-folding bench that, when folded, expanded the trunk to 54.7 cu-ft (1549 liters) of space.

Under the hood, the automaker kept the former engines with very close powers as the 2018 model year. All grades were fitted as standard with the Lineartronic CVT transmission that sent the power to all corners.

Subaru introduced the 2021 model year in 2020 for the U.S. market, and besides adding a few new colors, it also enhanced the trim levels.

In late summer 2020, the Japanese automaker revamped the Crosstrek's lineup for the U.S. market and added more features to this lineup, depending on the trim levels. At the front, the car featured a new grille that abandoned the hexagonal shapes, replacing them with trapezoidal ones. On the redesigned bumper, the base trim level got new trims for the fog lamps insert covers, while the upper levels had new covers for those.

One of the most significant additions to the lineup was the Crosstrek Sport. This trim level was only available with the most powerful engine from the lineup, a 2.5-liter flat-four. It featured 17" light-alloy wheels and was available in seven different colors, including the newly introduced Plasma Yellow Pearl and Horizon Blue Pearl.

Inside, the Crosstrek Sport featured gunmetal carbon-fiber trims. Subaru also offered an exclusive upholstery for this version, named StarTex, that was manufactured without the use of polyvinyl chloride, phthalate, or chlorine.

For the technical underpinnings, Subaru used the same six-speed manual for the base model and the Lineartronic CVT transmission for the rest of the range. All versions fitted with the latter gearbox also sported the X-MODE electronic traction control with Hill-Descent Control.

Subaru introduced the second generation of the Crosstrek in 2017 as a 2018 model year and rocketed into the top-selling position in the manufacturer's lineup.

With an increased demand for crossovers, Subaru had the edge over its competitors: it had the suitable bodywork, the heritage, and the transmission to fit on them. All it had to do was to raise the ground clearance of an Impreza hatchback, add off-road-specific details, and put it up for sale. As a result, the recipe worked flawlessly.

The new model, unveiled at the 2017 New York Auto Show, carried over most of the parts from the regular Impreza hatchback. In addition, the Crosstrek sported unpainted cladding on the wheel arches and rocker panels. It also featured roof rails, which were very useful for outdoor camping since the trunk was not something to write home about it. But the 8.7" (22 cm) ground clearance allowed it to access most unpaved roads and even some soft trail routes.

Inside, customers found an Impreza interior with specific upholstery on the bolstered seats at the front and on the three-seat bench at the rear. As an evolution over its predecessor, the 2018 Crosstrek featured a new 6.5" infotainment unit mounted atop the center stack between the air vents. Subaru also bragged about its advanced safety systems that brought it the badge of IIHS Top Safety Pick for several years in a row.

Under the hood, Subaru installed its famous flat-four engines paired with either a six-speed manual or a CVT that sent its power in all corners.

Based on the same platform with the Impreza, the Crosstrek represented a new cross-over vehicle from one of the most known all-wheel-drive car-makers in the world: Subaru.

Subaru made all-wheel-drive vehicles for over 40 years but its experience in off-road vehicles was limited. The Forester, the Tribeca, or the Brat were good for mild off-road trips. But still, when it comes to SUVs, its models are not scared by some grass-covered paths, slippery surfaces, or sand. The Crosstrek was built to enhance the driving on those surfaces.

From the outside, the black overfenders on the wheel arches and the plastic protections underneath the bumpers might give it an off-road vehicle look. But the car-maker intention was to build a cross-over and that was the result. With its hatchback bodywork, sculptured doors and side panels, and curved lines, it was like an Impreza with boots. The 17” light-alloy wheels featured a specific design for the Crosstrek.

Inside, the Crosstrek featured a bucket-seats in the front and a bench for three in the back. A 6.2” or a 7.0” infotainment system was installed on the center stack. For the instrument cluster, a two-dial layout with a TFT information center display placed between the speedometer and tachometer were placed behind the three-spoke steering wheel. On top of the dashboard, an additional screen was installed to show a few basic information.

For the drivetrain, the Crosstrek was available with a 2.0-liter boxer engine mated to either a 5-speed manual or a CVT. The Crosstrek was available exclusively with an all-wheel-drive traction system.