Japan’s latest “rugged” crossover turns out to be more show than substance, trading trail-ready upgrades for looks and exclusivity
Subaru might be grabbing attention at the Japan Mobility Show with its STI concepts and rugged Wilderness crossovers, but there’s one model that never made it to the Tokyo stage. While those prototypes take the spotlight, a production model has quietly arrived in showrooms back home.
The Crosstrek has become the first Subaru to wear the Wilderness badge in Japan, but this version diverges sharply from the one sold in North America, taking a different approach to the idea of adventure.
A Tamer Wilderness
The Subaru Crosstrek Wilderness Edition adopts a handful of outdoorsy touches for its limited run of 500 units. Among its most distinctive features is the Deco-Boco Black paint finish applied to the mirrors, side moldings, and cargo step protector, a textured surface said to better resist scratches.
Other exterior cues include a matte black grille, protective front shield, hood decal, and darkened headlight and taillight garnishes. Mud flaps and a Wilderness emblem on the tailgate round out the cosmetic changes.
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The special edition rides on 17-inch alloy wheels finished in matte black with yellow accents, and shod in Toyo Tires Open Country A/T III rubber featuring neat-looking white lettering on the sidewalls. Unfortunately, that’s where the upgrades end.
Oddly, the Japanese model doesn’t get the raised suspension, upgraded dampers, or chunkier body cladding of the US-spec Crosstrek Wilderness.
Inside, the cabin is carried over unchanged from the regular Crosstrek. Standard equipment includes full LED lighting, roof rails, heated and power-adjustable front seats, a heated steering wheel, and built-in navigation.
Another disadvantage compared to the full-blown Wilderness of the Americas is what lies under the hood. The Wilderness Edition gets the stock 2.0-liter e-Boxer hybrid powertrain, with an output of 143 hp (107 kW / 145 PS) from the ICE and 13 hp (10 kW / 14 PS) from the electric motor.
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Those figures can’t match the 182 hp (136 kW / 185 PS) of the 2.5-liter boxer that is available in the US. At least power is transmitted to all four wheels via Subaru’s Symmetrical AWD system.
The Japanese-spec Subaru Crosstrek Wilderness Edition will be limited to 500 units, available through a lottery system. Applications in local dealerships are open until November 30.
The rugged special is priced from ¥4,055,920 ($26,400) for the Touring and from ¥4,099,920 ($26,700) for the Limited. This means it is ¥508,420 ($3,300) more expensive than the standard Crosstrek.
For comparison, the US-spec Subaru Crosstrek Wilderness, with the exclusive bodykit, upgraded suspension, and a more potent engine, starts at $33,795.
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Thanos Pappas, a product design engineer by trade, has been wading through automotive journalism for… Read full bio

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