The 2024 Subaru Crosstrek Wilderness gets 27 MPG combined, a number to consider. This isn’t a 50 MPG hybrid. It’s a small SUV built for adventure, focusing on off-road ability and strong durability rather than maximum gas mileage. Buyers who want the Wilderness often accept this MPG as the cost for its unique features: higher ground clearance, all-terrain tires, and a dual-function X-MODE system.

city and highway performance

The Crosstrek Wilderness is rated by the EPA at 25 MPG in the city and 29 MPG on the highway. While the combined number gives a general idea, the separate ratings are important. City driving, with its stops and starts and slower speeds, tends to increase fuel consumption. The Wilderness’s standard Lineartronic CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission), programmed with an 8-speed manual mode, helps keep the engine at its best efficiency, reducing the impact of city driving. On the highway, the aerodynamic limitations caused by the car’s raised suspension and all-terrain tires become more obvious, preventing extremely high fuel economy.

annual fuel cost

The EPA estimates the annual fuel cost for the 2024 Subaru Crosstrek Wilderness at $1,600. This is based on driving 15,000 miles per year and using the national average fuel price at the time of EPA testing. Individual fuel costs will change based on local gas prices and driving habits. Someone who mainly drives short distances in the city will likely have a higher annual fuel cost than someone who mainly drives on the highway. Checking all Subaru fuel economy data can help inform purchase decisions.

real-world expectations

EPA estimates are a helpful guide, but real-world MPG often differs. Fast driving, carrying extra weight, and driving in bad weather can all hurt fuel efficiency. Wilderness owners who often drive off-road should expect lower MPG than the official ratings. The all-terrain tires provide more grip on loose surfaces but increase rolling resistance, which can lower fuel economy. The added weight of the Wilderness-specific features also results in slightly lower MPG than other Crosstrek models. Owners should track their fuel consumption to get a better idea of their individual MPG.

how it compares

The Crosstrek Wilderness’s fuel economy is average compared to other small SUVs with all-wheel drive. For example, the Mazda CX-5 gets around 26 MPG combined with its standard 2.5L engine and AWD. The Toyota RAV4, a popular choice, is rated at 30 MPG combined in its standard AWD form. However, the RAV4 TRD Off-Road model, which has a similar purpose to the Wilderness, only gets 28 MPG combined. The Subaru Crosstrek offers a more efficient option. Look up CROSSTREK MPG across all years to contrast the efficiency of different trims. The Honda CR-V with AWD gets around 29 MPG combined. For Wilderness buyers, these small differences are often less important than the vehicle’s special features and strong image.

tips to maximize efficiency

Avoid fast acceleration and hard braking. The Crosstrek Wilderness isn’t a sports car, and accelerating quickly and braking hard wastes gas. Driving gently will greatly improve your MPG, especially in the city. Predict traffic and keep a steady speed when possible.

Check your tire pressure regularly. Tires with low pressure increase rolling resistance and lower fuel efficiency. Make sure your tires are at the recommended pressure, which is on a sticker inside the driver’s side door. Properly inflated tires also improve handling and make tires last longer.

Keep cargo weight low. Carrying extra weight in your car lowers fuel economy. Take out anything you don’t need, especially heavy items like tools or sports equipment. A lighter car needs less energy to speed up and maintain speed.

Consider cruise control on the highway. Cruise control helps keep a consistent speed, which can improve fuel efficiency on long trips. Don’t use cruise control in hilly areas, as the transmission might downshift too much, wasting gas.

Maintain your vehicle according to the recommended schedule. Regular oil changes, air filter replacements, and other maintenance make sure your engine runs efficiently. A well-maintained engine burns fuel more cleanly.