We’re going to do something a little different this month. We have three vehicles we’re going to review, so what I’d like to do is set it up as if you have just walked into a Subaru dealership after doing some preliminary research. You’re facing three relatively new models that have caught your eye—the Crosstrek Hybrid, Forester Wilderness and Outback Wilderness.
Subaru is a special brand. In years past it was almost a cult, full of folks devoted to their quirky all-wheel drive cars with their horizontally opposed engines. Those days are long gone as the company is now a mainstream contender in the U.S., selling more cars than many brands that have been around for a half-century. They’re not quite as quirky as they used to be, but still have a strong identity, right down to the image of the Pleiades star cluster (in Japanese, Subaru) that adorns most of their grills.
The three Subarus are alike in many ways, representing Subaru’s two newest approaches to personal transportation. The subcompact Crosstrek Hybrid offers fuel economy. It’s EPA-rated at 36 mpg, which we found achievable in the real world. The good news is those numbers are delivered across the board—in the city, on the highway and around town.
It’s a typical Toyota-style parallel hybrid that shifts back and forth between EV mode and gas power to maximize economy. The combined 194 horsepower from the 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine and electric motors supplies plenty of power, but you’ll notice more noise from under the hood than in some competitive cars.
Two To Take You Further Off-Road
The other two Subarus—the Forester Wilderness and Outback Wilderness models—take a different road, one without pavement. They are designed to enhance something many Subaru owners either do or plan on doing: hitting the trail for camping or hiking. The Wilderness trim, which seems about to become a sub-brand, has boosted ground clearance and beefed up the suspension and the X-Mode drive system, which can tackle snow, deep snow, dirt and mud. Tires are wider and have more aggressive treads than other models.
Something all three share is rear storage outfitted with practical rubber mats to handle anything affected by those off-road runs. In addition, the Wilderness models have a variety of copper-colored accessories that help them to stand out from other trims and seats designed to deal with wet clothes.
Inside, Subaru has a somewhat dated center display that’s well-placed in the center stack (11.6-inch in the Crosstrek and 12.1-inch ones in the Forester and Outback). They all have more up-to-date technology like wireless phone charging, front and rear USB ports and a variety of safety and convenience items.
The Final Ticket
These three new Subarus are aimed at well-heeled buyers, with the test models outfitted with a full-complement of options. Prices include destination and delivery charges.
Crosstrek Sport Hybrid – $35,415
Forester Wilderness – $42,430
Outback Wilderness – $50,535
Variety is a new option at Subaru as the company continues to push beyond the Subaru faithful and bring in new drivers looking for new experiences.
