From Vaughan to Muskoka: How the 2025 Crosstrek Wilderness Transforms Your Weekend Adventures
August 22 2025,

Summer camping season calls for a vehicle that handles both highway drives and forest roads with equal confidence. The 2025 Subaru Crosstrek Wilderness delivers exactly this capability, engineered specifically for outdoor enthusiasts who refuse to compromise between daily practicality and weekend capability.
This most rugged Crosstrek variant transforms your relationship with Ontario's outdoor recreation opportunities. No longer do cottage roads, boat launches, or trailhead access require borrowing a larger vehicle or carefully planning routes around your transportation limitations.
Enhanced Ground Clearance for Cottage Country Access
The Crosstrek Wilderness provides 235 mm of ground clearance, a significant increase over the standard Crosstrek's 220 mm. This additional clearance proves crucial when accessing remote fishing spots, cottage driveways, or hiking trailheads throughout Ontario.
Cottage roads often include obstacles that challenge lower vehicles: deep ruts from spring runoff, fallen branches, or rocky sections that require careful navigation. The extra ground clearance turns these potential barriers into minor obstacles.
Boat launches frequently feature steep grades and potentially rough surfaces. The additional clearance provides confidence when launching watercraft at remote lakes or accessing fishing spots that others might avoid.
The approach and departure angles work with ground clearance to handle steep driveways or trails without scraping underbody components. This capability opens access to locations that standard crossovers might find challenging.
All-Terrain Tires for Variable Surfaces
Standard all-terrain tires provide enhanced traction on surfaces ranging from loose gravel cottage roads to muddy camping sites. These tires maintain acceptable road manners for daily driving while offering superior grip when conditions deteriorate.
The tire design includes deeper tread patterns and reinforced sidewalls compared to standard highway tires. This construction provides better traction on loose surfaces while resisting damage from rocks or debris.
Winter capability improves with all-terrain tires that handle snow and ice better than standard tires. This year-round capability means the Wilderness remains practical for accessing winter recreation activities.
Dual-Function X-MODE for Challenging Terrain
The Crosstrek Wilderness includes dual-function X-MODE with separate Snow/Dirt and Deep Snow/Mud settings. This system optimizes power distribution, transmission behavior, and braking control for specific terrain types.
Snow/Dirt mode handles typical cottage road conditions including loose gravel, light mud, or packed snow. The system adjusts power delivery to maintain traction without excessive wheel spin.
Deep Snow/Mud mode provides more aggressive intervention for challenging conditions like deep mud, sand, or heavy snow. The system accepts some wheel spin to clear obstacles while maintaining forward progress.
Hill Descent Control automatically maintains controlled speeds when descending steep terrain. This feature allows you to focus on steering while the system manages speed control through automatic braking.
Substantial Towing Capacity for Recreation Equipment
The Crosstrek Wilderness can tow up to 1,588 kg (3,500 lbs), handling boats, travel trailers, or equipment trailers that support Ontario outdoor activities. This capability eliminates the need for larger vehicles when towing recreational equipment.
The towing capacity handles most fishing boats, allowing access to remote lakes throughout Ontario. Pontoon boats, aluminum fishing boats, or small cuddy cabins fall within the vehicle's capability range.
Travel trailers under the weight limit expand camping options beyond tent camping. Small travel trailers or popup campers provide comfort while maintaining the ability to access more remote camping locations.
Equipment trailers can transport ATVs, snowmobiles, or other recreational vehicles to trail systems throughout Ontario. This capability supports multi-sport adventures without requiring multiple vehicles.
Adventure-Ready Interior Features
Water-resistant seat surfaces handle wet gear, muddy boots, or outdoor equipment without permanent damage. The surfaces clean easily after outdoor adventures, maintaining the interior's appearance over time.
All-weather floor mats protect carpet from mud, snow, or water tracked in from outdoor activities. The mats remove easily for cleaning and provide complete floor coverage.
The rear cargo area accommodates camping equipment, fishing gear, or outdoor supplies with protection from weather and theft. Tie-down points secure loose items during transport over rough terrain.
Performance Enhancements for Outdoor Use
The 182 hp 2.5-litre SUBARU BOXER engine provides adequate power for towing and off-road driving while maintaining reasonable fuel efficiency. The naturally aspirated design delivers immediate throttle response without turbo lag.
CVT oil cooler helps maintain transmission performance during demanding use like towing or extended low-speed driving. This enhancement supports the vehicle's capability without sacrificing reliability.
Underbody protection shields critical components from damage when driving over rocks, logs, or other obstacles. This protection allows more aggressive terrain use without concern for expensive repairs.
The Wilderness design includes skid plates and reinforced components that handle impacts better than standard vehicles. This protection proves valuable when exploring unfamiliar terrain.
Contact our sales team at Subaru of Maple in Vaughan to secure your 2025 Crosstrek Wilderness and start planning your next Ontario adventure.