How high does a Crosstrek sit off the ground?
The Crosstrek sits about 8.7 inches off the ground in standard form, while the rugged Crosstrek Wilderness edition raises that height to roughly 9.0 inches. This difference affects off-road capability without sacrificing on-road ride quality.
Current ground clearance by trim
The following figures reflect the Crosstrek lineup as it sits in the latest model years. Before relying on these numbers, confirm the exact specification on your vehicle’s window sticker or official brochure, especially if you’re considering aftermarket wheels or tires.
- Standard Crosstrek (base, Premium, Sport, Limited, and Hybrid variants): 8.7 inches (22.1 cm)
- Crosstrek Wilderness: 9.0 inches (22.9 cm)
The difference between 8.7 inches and 9.0 inches comes from the Wilderness model’s upgraded suspension and underbody protection, which are designed to improve approach angles and clearance on off-road trails. For most daily drivers, the standard 8.7-inch ride height provides a good balance of visibility, stability, and efficiency.
Why the Wilderness trim is taller
The Wilderness edition borrows a higher ride height and more rugged underbody protection compared to the standard Crosstrek. This setup helps clear rocks, ruts, and uneven surfaces encountered on light off-roading while retaining the Crosstrek’s characteristic AWD predictability and efficiency.
Practical implications
Ground clearance influences curb appeal, snow clearance, and the ability to navigate rough parking lots or unpaved paths. The 8.7-inch standard height is ample for most weather and light adventure use, while the 9.0-inch Wilderness height offers a modest but meaningful boost for more ambitious trail driving.
Model-year notes and verification
Ground clearance figures are generally stable across recent model years, but tire size, wheel choices, or suspension updates can cause minor differences. If you’re shopping or planning frequent off-road trips, verify the exact figure on the specific vehicle you’re considering—especially for a Wilderness-equipped build.
Summary
The standard Crosstrek sits about 8.7 inches off the ground, with the Wilderness version at about 9.0 inches. That extra height provides improved ability to clear obstacles on rough terrain, while everyday driving remains comfortable and efficient for most buyers.
How high does a Subaru Crosstrek sit off the ground?
The Subaru Crosstrek ground clearance is especially impressive – 8.7 inches on all trims except the Wilderness, which boasts 9.3 inches to navigate rougher terrain more easily.
Does a Crosstrek sit higher than an outback?
The Outback is also taller than the Crosstrek, measuring 66.4 inches in height versus 63.6 inches. Ground clearance on both models is 8.7 inches; however, the 2023 Subaru Outback Wilderness trim increases clearance for more rugged off-roading to 9.5 inches.
What is the ride height of the Crosstrek?
The Subaru Crosstrek's ride height varies by model, with standard models having a ground clearance of 8.7 inches and a total height of about 62.8 to 63.0 inches. The Crosstrek Wilderness trim has a higher ground clearance of 9.3 inches and a total height of approximately 63.6 inches.
| Feature | Standard Models | Wilderness Model |
|---|---|---|
| Ground Clearance | 8.7 inches | 9.3 inches |
| Total Height | 62.8 – 63.0 inches | 63.6 inches |
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Why is Subaru discontinuing the Crosstrek?
Subaru is not discontinuing the Crosstrek model line entirely, but the Crosstrek Hybrid (PHEV) was discontinued in the U.S. due to slow sales and Subaru's strategic shift toward new hybrid and electric vehicle (EV) platforms that will be shared with Toyota. Subaru is still producing the standard Crosstrek and is developing new hybrid and EV models based on its new Global Platform, which will offer a new hybrid system for the Crosstrek in the future. The discontinuation of the manual transmission option was also driven by declining demand.
This video discusses the reasons behind the discontinuation of the Crosstrek Hybrid and Subaru's future plans for electrification: 46sAlex PrestigiacomoYouTube · Jun 9, 2025
- Hybrid model discontinued: The Crosstrek Plug-In Hybrid was dropped after a short run in the U.S. because it only accounted for a small percentage of total sales.
- Strategic shift to new platforms: Subaru is focusing on developing new hybrid and EV models using its new Global Platform, which is designed to accommodate these powertrains. The company is working with Toyota on future EV platforms to improve profitability and innovation.
- Manual transmission phased out: The manual transmission option was discontinued due to declining sales, as a small percentage of buyers opted for it compared to automatic transmissions.
- Standard Crosstrek remains available: The gasoline-powered Crosstrek continues to be a popular and available model.
- Future hybrid return: Subaru has stated that it will launch a new hybrid Crosstrek in the future, likely with a new hybrid system and on the new Global Platform.
This video explains the changes coming to the 2025 Subaru Crosstrek, including updates to the powertrain options: 55sAlex PrestigiacomoYouTube · Nov 4, 2024
