Which Subarus Are Best for Off-Roading?

Subaru is renowned for its high-performance vehicles with off-road capabilities. All-wheel drive is a staple of the auto brand, allowing for maximum efficiency and stability when driving through harsh weather or rough terrain. For drivers looking for enhanced off-road performance and rugged capabilities, Subaru offers a range of vehicles that can meet the challenge. So, if you’re wondering which Subarus are best for off-roading, our guide covers all you need to know.

Subaru Outback

The 2024 Subaru Outback is set to debut the new Outback Wilderness along with its previous eight trim levels: Base, Premium, Onyx Edition, Limited, Touring, Onyx Edition XT, Limited XT, and Touring XT. All variations are capable of off-road driving, but it’s the Wilderness that Subaru is packing with upgrades and enhancements exclusively for handling rough and rocky terrain. Each Outback variation comes standard with symmetrical all-wheel drive and adequate ground clearance. Still, the Wilderness is built for rugged driving with 9.5 inches of ground clearance.

Outback Wilderness

With exclusive terrain-conquering upgrades and drivetrain enhancements for improved gearing, Subaru allows the Wilderness to maintain uniform stability and optimal power distribution for maximum traction in just about any driving condition. Standard alloy off-road wheels and all-terrain tires give you the performance and handling you need to navigate off-road terrain.

The Wilderness gets Subaru’s 2.4-liter turbocharged Boxer powertrain capable of generating 260 horsepower and 277 lb-ft of torque. At the same time, the Base, Premium, Onyx Edition, Limited, and Touring have the 2.5-liter Boxer dual overhead camshaft (DOHC) four-cylinder engine. All powertrain options pair with a continuously variable transmission (CVT). Subaru also upgrades and fine-tunes its dual-function X-Mode technology for the Wilderness, allowing for additional wheel slip and more settings for driving in deep dirt, snow, and mud.

Subaru Forester

The 2024 Subaru Forester will be released in nine trims: the Base, Premium, Onyx Edition, Limited, Touring, Onyx Edition XT, Wilderness, Limited XT, and Touring XT. But again, the Wilderness variation combines the off-road capabilities you’re looking for with the comfort and convenience you need for everyday driving and the occasional rough road.

Forester Wilderness

All the Forester trims get Subaru’s 2.5-liter DOHC direct-injection four-cylinder Boxer engine with dual active valve control system technology. This platform generates about 182 horsepower and 176 lb-ft of torque. However, Wilderness steps it up and pairs the 2.5-liter engine with Subaru’s Linetronic CVT, which has adaptive control and an eight-speed manual mode. The capabilities of Subaru’s legendary symmetrical all-wheel drive allow for seamless gear shifting to sustain optimal performance.

The Forester Wilderness also boasts a ground clearance of 9.2 inches, all-terrain tires, and the highest ride height among Subaru models. A steel skid plate provides essential protection for your off-road adventures, and the Wilderness has the highest towing capacity of all Forester variations at 3,000 pounds. With the best approach, departure, and break-over angles in its range, the Forester Wilderness can effortlessly conquer obstacles anywhere you take it.

Subaru Ascent

The Subaru Ascent features six trims with eight total variations: the Base, Premium (seven- and eight-passenger variations), Onyx Edition, Onyx Edition Limited, Limited (seven- and eight-passenger variations), and Touring. Opting for the Onyx Edition, Onyx Edition Limited, and the Touring gives you Subaru’s dual-function X-Mode technology as a standard feature, which provides additional snow and dirt and deep mud settings for optimizing the symmetrical all-wheel-drive performance in rough road and weather conditions. The Ascent also comes standard with the 2.4-liter turbocharged Boxer engine capable of generating 260 horsepower and 277 lb-ft of torque.

The engine pairs with the Linetronic CVT, which equips an eight-speed manual shift mode with paddle shifters for more control. The Ascent also has the highest towing capacity of any other Subaru model, with maximum capabilities of up to 5,000 pounds. And if that’s not enough, Subaru has plenty of optional packages you can add to the upper trims for even more high-performance capabilities.

Subaru Crosstrek

For 2024, Subaru is adding the Crosstrek Wilderness variation to the current trims: the Base, Premium, Sport, and Limited. All variations are equipped for off-road excursions with Subaru’s renowned symmetrical all-wheel drive and X-Mode to provide optimal traction on smooth or rough terrain. And while earlier Crosstrek models are built for durability, the all-new 2024 Wilderness has the performance and capabilities most enthusiasts desire for off-road driving.

Crosstrek Wilderness

Subaru’s upgrades and enhancements for the 2024 Wilderness include 9.3 inches of ground clearance and improved gearing that helps you navigate even the toughest conditions. The Wilderness is also set to feature the same 2.5-liter Boxer DOHC four-cylinder engine as the Sport and Limited, which can generate about 182 horsepower and 178 lb-ft of torque.

Subaru also gives the new Wilderness its legendary symmetrical all-wheel drive. It has a lower final-drive ratio for better stability and low-speed climbing, enabling you to conquer up to 38-degree inclines. The Wilderness also features a more substantial rear differential and enhancements to its dual-function X-Mode for improved traction. And with all-terrain Yokohama Geolandar tires, the Crosstrek Wilderness will have even more capabilities for off-road adventures.

Which Subaru Is the Best for Off-Roading?

All four SUV models and their variations have capabilities allowing light excursions or more aggressive off-road performance. While the Outback Wilderness, Forester Wilderness, and Crosstrek Wilderness come with the best of Subaru’s off-road performance features, the choice ultimately depends on your preferences and how hard you’re planning to push it when you take your vehicle off the beaten path.

Ready To Try Out a Subaru?

At Huffines Subaru Corinth, our team of auto experts can help you navigate your choices to find the perfect match. Our inventory features new Subaru models and a large selection of certified pre-owned and used vehicles with a range of options that you can customize to suit your driving needs. Contact us to schedule a test drive in Corinth, Texas, and discover what Subaru offers.