Subaru Crosstrek Wilderness Safety

The Subaru Crosstrek Wilderness is a rugged, off-road-oriented trim of Subaru's compact crossover, aimed squarely at outdoor enthusiasts who want genuine trail capability without stepping up to a full SUV. With raised suspension, all-terrain hardware, and Subaru's symmetrical all-wheel drive at its core, it targets adventure-minded buyers who prioritize function and safety in equal measure across the 2024 and 2025 model years.

The 2025 Subaru Crosstrek Wilderness delivers a NHTSA Safety Index of 99 out of 100, placing it in our Exceptional category. This strong performance is supported by federal data, which shows a perfect 5 out of 5 stars in both frontal and side impact crash testing. However, NHTSA did not rate rollover risk for this model year, a significant omission given the Wilderness trim's elevated ride height. On recalls, the record is notably clean: zero recalls have been issued for either the 2024 or 2025 model years. While 144 owner complaints are on file, covering both years, these include 10 alleged crash incidents, 2 fire-related reports, and 5 injury claims, with no fatalities reported. These remain unverified allegations, but the fire and injury figures warrant attention as the vehicle population expands. The Crosstrek Wilderness offers a compelling safety case, defined by its robust crash-test scores and an unblemished recall history.

WHAT REVIEWERS SAYReviewers generally regard the Crosstrek Wilderness as a capable and well-rounded compact crossover that punches above its size for off-road use. Most praise its confident all-wheel-drive system and practical packaging, while noting it occupies a distinctive niche between a standard crossover and a more hardcore off-roader. Ride quality and interior space are common discussion points, with opinions varying by use case.