When people think of a proper off-roader or overlanding vehicle, they envision a lifted 4×4 on big knobby tires. However, that’s not always the case. You can go quite far off the beaten path with an all-wheel-drive vehicle like the 2025 Subaru Crosstrek Wilderness. If it’s properly prepared, that is. My husband, Andy Lilienthal, and I recently finished a 29-day trans-continental trek across the United States on the TransAmerica Trail with one and proved it can be done.

We drove nearly 7,200 miles on dirt, gravel, rock-riddled trails, and small, narrow country roads (close to 3,200 miles of that was off-road). We traversed up-and-over several off-road mountain passes, to the tune of 12,640 feet above sea level. With careful planning and the right upgrades, equipment, and off-roading know-how, we proved that a Subaru Crosstrek Wilderness can become a tough and capable adventurer.

Photo: Andy Lilienthal

Never Trust A Single Map

First and foremost, for those interested in traversing the TransAmerica Trail, based on our experience, the TransAmerica Trail maps sold on the official website, both paper and digital, aren’t able to deviate around major trail damaged areas that have plagued key routes from years ago. Proceed with caution, patience, and extra supplies. Carry multiple forms of way-finding methods plus emergency communications, like a Garmin inReach device (like our Tread Overland Edition) or satellite phone, in case you’re out of cell or internet range. The onX off-road app is also a good tool to have on hand. You can download detailed offline maps, get crowdsourced information on trails, use the company’s new dispersed camping layer, and more.

Just The Basics: 2025 Subaru Crosstrek Wilderness Stats

While the 2025 Subaru Crosstrek is a fine adventure vehicle in its own right, the Wilderness model takes everything up a notch. The Crosstrek Wilderness is powered by a 182 hp 2.5-liter Boxer engine. The company has revised the CVT tuning for optimal traction at low speeds and bumped the final drive ratio from 3.700:1 to 4.111:1. A slightly lifted suspension offers 9.3 inches of ground clearance, a 20-degree approach angle, 33-degree departure angle, 21.1-degree breakover angle, and comes fit with Subaru’s dual-function X-MODE drive mode. Intended for more “intense” off-road situations, X-MODE provides specifically formulated settings to optimize traction in dirt, mud, or even deep snow. The 2025 Crosstrek Wilderness has gobs of plastic side-body cladding to help protect the paint from low-lying obstacles or trail hazards. Base MSRP, including destination and delivery, is $33,915.

Despite not offering a traditional low range, locking differentials, or large knobby tires, the Subaru Crosstrek Wilderness proves to not only be more capable than other adventure-focused AWD SUVs on the market, but a surprisingly fine overlander in general as well.

Added Ruggedness: 2025 Subaru Crosstrek Wilderness Upgrades

Even though the Subaru Crosstrek Wilderness is a fine off-roader in factory trim, we wanted to be certain that it was ready for anything the TransAmerica Trail could throw our way. Yokohama Geolander all-terrain tires come standard on the Wilderness model. However, we opted for a set of 225/65R17 BFGoodrich KO2 all-terrain tires on satin black 17X8-inch Reika Seeker wheels. This is the exact setup we use on our own 2022 Subaru Crosstrek and have worked exceedingly well in the past. We’ve competed in road rallies and off-road events with them (showcasing thousands of miles of dirt and gravel). Plus, we’ve driven multiple times across the country in snow, driving rain, and more without a single tire issue.

Protecting the underside of the Subaru were Primitive Racing front, mid, and differential skid plates. These US-made products are constructed from 3/16-inch-thick aluminum and proved critical to our TransAmerica Trail success. They helped conquer high off-road mountain passes like Cinnamon Pass both ways (at 12,640 feet above sea level), and the loose, large shale rocky Ophir Pass at 11,789 feet. We also successfully scaled Arkansas’ Warloop Road, including its rock ledges and off-camber chutes, as well as Moab’s Gemini Bridges trail. Though scratched and well-used, Primitive’s products kept coming back for more.

Another important pairing was the Rally Innovations 2024+ Subaru Crosstrek Wilderness Rally Light Bar with Baja Designs XL-R Pro LED Lights. This combo gave us much-needed light, no matter if it was tackling dusty conditions, driving at dusk or dawn, cutting through wildfire smoke, or even cooking at camp. Both companies manufacture in the United States and are based in California. The light bar mount is made of high-quality powder coated mild steel tubing and includes stainless steel hardware. It can fit up to four auxiliary lights. Baja Designs’ XL-R Pro lights feature next-generation LEDs; each light outputs 4,095 raw lumens for high-powered visibility.

We expanded our storage by using a RiG’d Supply UltraSwing Short Fit Hitch Spare Tire Mount, SideHack with fuel can holder, and fold-down UltraTable. It was rattle-free, gave us a sleek surface for meal prep, and held other items like our Trasharoo.

At the last second, we swapped out the Subaru’s stock suspension for Bilstein B6 struts and rear King lift springs which came via Primitive Racing. This helped handle the extra weight we had on the vehicle and gave it a more even stance.

We finished off the build with a Thule Approach rooftop tent, an ARB 2.0M Soft Case Awning with Light, and a full-size shovel—all mounted to Thule crossbars. As a bonus, the Thule accessories are offered through Subaru’s accessories website.

Key Comfort And Convenience Equipment

With vehicle modifications complete it was time to turn the all-important comfort and convenience items. Once we took receipt of the modified Subaru, we started the upfit by adding an ARB Classic Series II 50-quart fridge/freezer, which kept our food and drinks cold during sweltering heat and humidity. We also packed several Mountain House freeze-dried meals for quick on-the-go food.

We brought along an ARB single portable air compressor and the company’s Speedy Seal Tire Patch Kit. Additionally, we installed an EcoFlow 800W Alternator Charger and loaded up a DELTA 3 Plus power station to have the constant ability to charge devices, as well as send power back to the Subaru’s 12-volt battery at night to keep the vehicle topped off. Keeping our smartphones secure was also important. We relied on Quad Lock device mounts to keep them clearly visible and protected, especially when trails got tough.

In the vehicle recovery department, we brought along two sets of MAXTRAX XTREME recovery boards. We also installed a Factor 55 HitchLink 2.0 shackle bracket recovery point in case we needed to be extracted or recover someone else.

2025 Subaru Crosstrek Wilderness Weight Considerations

The curb weight for the 2025 Subaru Crosstrek Wilderness is 3,369 pounds. However, the car has an impressive 4,817-pound gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR). That’s a big jump with this adventure rig fully loaded like we were. The GVWR includes fuel, passengers, and cargo. After most of the vehicle modifications were installed, we weighed 3,999 pounds. This was without luggage or extra key equipment. We had up to 818 pounds to safely use before going over. After weighing everything, we were under the limit.

Starting the adventure on the opposite side of the country meant that we had to fly to the East Coast with our camp gear, tools, recovery equipment, cameras and laptops, and personal effects. Other key items and equipment were either purchased upon arrival or ordered and shipped to the vehicle ahead of time. Weight was a critical factor for this month-long self-sustaining trip, so we weighed everything carefully.

Carry-on luggage:

• Pelican case with Starlink Mini: 10.2 pounds
• Peak Design Roller Pro (camera gear and tech stuff): 34.6 pounds
• Cotopaxi Allpa 35L Travel Pack (personal items and laptop): 15 pounds
• REI 40L backpack (personal items and laptop): 15 pounds

Total weight: 74.8 pounds

Checked baggage:

• Front Runner Outfitters Typhoon Bag (camp and kitchen gear, sleeping bags): 30 pounds
• Ortlieb 110L duffel (tools, vehicle recovery gear, camp chairs, misc. items): 47 pounds
• Osprey 65L backpack (clothing, shoes): 26 pounds
• Decathlon 60L + 10L backpack (clothing, shoes): 22 pounds

Total weight: 125.0 pounds

The total carry-on and checked luggage weight was 199.8 pounds. After weighing everything, we were safely under the limit with margin to spare.

Summing It Up

Having deep, personal, experience with the Subaru Crosstrek we went into this adventure with high expectations. Although we ran out of power to crest the summit of Colorado’s California Pass in the San Juan mountains (its summit is 12,960 feet) and stones got lodged in its rear brakes on several occasions, this modified adventurer did everything else we asked of it, and plenty more. It was comfortable, capable, and carried everything we needed for our month-long overlanding endeavor. And that’s saying a lot from those crazy enough to take an all-wheel-drive SUV across the TransAmerica Trail.

Photos by Mercedes Lilienthal