5 Ways the 2025 Subaru Crosstrek Wilderness Handles Ontario Backcountry and City Streets

The 2025 Subaru Crosstrek Wilderness delivers a practical answer to a common Ontario driver dilemma: how to find a vehicle that handles both weekend adventures and daily urban demands. This subcompact SUV addresses real-world driving conditions, from navigating Toronto's pothole-marked streets to exploring Ontario's diverse terrain.

Built on proven Subaru engineering, the Crosstrek Wilderness offers tangible upgrades over standard models. The enhancements focus on three key areas: increased towing capacity for recreational equipment, improved ground clearance for varied terrain, and interior materials designed to withstand Ontario's weather extremes. These features work together to create a vehicle suited to Ontario's unique driving environment.

Enhanced Powertrain for Weekend Adventures

The 2025 Crosstrek Wilderness is equipped with a 2.5-litre 4-cylinder SUBARU BOXER engine that produces 182 horsepower. The engine pairs with a Lineartronic CVT that includes a CVT oil cooler, a feature that directly supports the model's increased towing capability.

This powertrain configuration enables the Crosstrek Wilderness to tow up to 1,588 kilograms (3,500 pounds). For Ontario drivers, this capacity accommodates common recreational equipment: a small camping trailer, a pair of ATVs, or multiple kayaks and bikes on a trailer. The towing capacity makes weekend getaways to destinations like Algonquin Park or the Bruce Peninsula more accessible.

The SUBARU BOXER engine design positions the cylinders horizontally, which lowers the vehicle's centre of gravity. This layout contributes to stable handling during highway merges and when navigating Toronto's Don Valley Parkway during rush hour.

Key Powertrain Specifications:

• 2.5-litre 4-cylinder SUBARU BOXER engine: 182 horsepower
• Lineartronic CVT with oil cooler
• Maximum towing capacity: 1,588 kilograms (3,500 pounds)
• Subaru Symmetrical Full-Time All-Wheel Drive

Dual-Function X-MODE for Varied Terrain

The Crosstrek Wilderness includes dual-function X-MODE, which provides two selectable settings: Snow/Dirt and Deep Snow/Mud. This system manages the engine, transmission, all-wheel drive, and braking systems to optimize traction based on conditions.

For Ontario drivers, these settings address specific scenarios. The Snow/Dirt mode handles typical winter conditions on city streets and cleared highways. The Deep Snow/Mud setting provides additional support when exploring unpaved roads in cottage country or navigating spring thaw conditions on rural routes.

X-MODE operates through a simple button interface on the centre console. Hill Descent Control activates with X-MODE, maintaining a controlled speed on steep declines without requiring constant brake application. This feature proves useful on both recreational trails and steep urban parking garage ramps.

The system integrates with Subaru Symmetrical Full-Time All-Wheel Drive, which continuously distributes power to all four wheels. This constant power distribution differs from on-demand all-wheel drive systems and provides predictable handling in varied conditions.

Suspension and Ground Clearance

The Crosstrek Wilderness offers 235 millimetres of ground clearance, paired with a retuned suspension system designed for both off-road capability and on-road comfort. This suspension height provides practical benefits for Toronto driving conditions.

Ontario's road infrastructure presents challenges: potholes from freeze-thaw cycles, raised manhole covers, and uneven road surfaces. The increased ground clearance helps the vehicle clear these obstacles without scraping the undercarriage. The same clearance that protects against urban road hazards also enables the vehicle to navigate forest service roads and beach access routes.

All-terrain tires mounted on 17-inch black painted aluminum alloy wheels come standard on the Wilderness trim. These tires provide improved grip on loose surfaces like gravel and dirt while maintaining road manners suitable for highway driving. The tread pattern balances off-road traction with acceptable noise levels for daily commuting.

The suspension tuning addresses a common challenge: maintaining ride comfort while increasing capability. The Crosstrek Wilderness achieves this through shock absorber valving that absorbs impacts from rough terrain without creating excessive body roll during highway lane changes.

Weather-Resistant Interior Materials

Ontario's climate creates specific demands for vehicle interiors. Rain, snow, mud, and road salt regularly enter vehicles during Canadian seasons. The Crosstrek Wilderness addresses this reality with all-weather soft-touch upholstery covering all seating surfaces.

This upholstery material resists water absorption, allowing moisture to be wiped away rather than soaking into the seat fabric. After hiking trails at Rouge National Urban Park or walking dogs in muddy spring conditions, the seats can be cleaned with a damp cloth. The material maintains its appearance and function through repeated exposure to moisture and dirt.

The front seats include heating elements with three settings, addressing Ontario's cold climate. A 10-way power-adjustable driver's seat with 2-way lumbar support allows drivers to find comfortable positions for both short urban trips and longer highway drives to destinations like Ottawa or Niagara Falls.

All-weather rubber floor mats come standard, creating a protective barrier between the carpet and Ontario's road salt, slush, and mud. These mats feature raised edges that contain spilled liquids and can be removed for cleaning.

Interior Features:

• All-weather soft-touch upholstery on all seats
• Heated front seats with three settings
• 10-way power-adjustable driver's seat with 2-way lumbar support
• All-weather rubber floor mats
• Wilderness-designed cargo tray

Technology and Safety Integration

The 11.6-inch touchscreen infotainment system provides access to navigation, entertainment, and vehicle settings. The system includes wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration, eliminating the need for charging cables during daily use. A 10-speaker Harman Kardon premium audio system with subwoofer and amplifier delivers clear sound quality.

Standard EyeSight Driver Assist Technology includes Automatic Emergency Steering, which can help avoid or mitigate collisions through both steering and braking interventions. The system uses cameras with a wide field of view to monitor the road ahead and identify potential hazards.

Additional EyeSight features include Pre-Collision Braking, Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Centring Assist, Lane Departure Warning, Lane Sway Warning, and Lead Vehicle Start Alert. These systems function as support tools, providing alerts and interventions when the system detects potential safety concerns.

LED steering-responsive headlights adjust their beam pattern based on steering angle, improving visibility when turning. Hexagonal LED fog lights cut through fog, rain, and snow more effectively than traditional halogen bulbs.

The Subaru Rear/Side Vehicle Detection system monitors blind spots and cross-traffic when reversing. Visual and audible alerts notify the driver when vehicles enter these zones, adding confidence during lane changes on Highway 401 or backing out of busy Toronto parking lots.

Exterior Design Elements

Roof rails with anodized copper accents come standard and support up to 363 kilograms of static load. These rails accommodate roof boxes, bike carriers, and kayak racks. The copper accents distinguish the Wilderness trim visually while serving as functional mounting points.

The Crosstrek Wilderness features additional body cladding compared to standard Crosstrek models. This cladding provides protection against minor impacts from trail brush, parking lot contact, and road debris. A lower front skid plate offers underbody protection when navigating uneven terrain or urban obstacles like high curbs.

Matte black hood decals and black painted wheels create a cohesive exterior appearance. These design elements require minimal maintenance and resist showing road grime compared to chrome finishes.

Your Next Step

The 2025 Subaru Crosstrek Wilderness addresses specific needs for Ontario drivers who navigate both urban environments and recreational destinations. The combination of towing capacity, ground clearance, weather-resistant materials, and integrated technology creates a vehicle suited to diverse Canadian driving conditions.

Visit Marino's Fine Cars Subaru in Toronto to examine the Crosstrek Wilderness firsthand. Our team can demonstrate the X-MODE system, explain the capabilities of EyeSight Driver Assist Technology, and arrange a test drive on routes that matter to you. Contact us today to experience how the Crosstrek Wilderness handles both city streets and backcountry trails.