Sport Durst Subaru of Jacksonville
Subaru Crosstrek AWD: Standard on Every Trim
Yes, every Subaru Crosstrek AWD model comes with Subaru Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive as standard equipment. All seven trims, gas and hybrid. There is no front-wheel-drive version and nothing to add to the order sheet.
Symmetrical AWD Is Standard on All Seven Crosstrek Trims
Subaru does not sell the Crosstrek with front-wheel drive anywhere in the lineup. The Base trim has the same full-time all-wheel-drive layout as the Wilderness. What changes between trims is what sits on top of it.
| Trim | Drivetrain | X-MODE | Ground Clearance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Base | Symmetrical AWD standard | Standard | 8.7 in |
| Premium | Symmetrical AWD standard | Standard | 8.7 in |
| Sport | Symmetrical AWD standard | Standard | 8.7 in |
| Limited | Symmetrical AWD standard | Standard | 8.7 in |
| Wilderness | Symmetrical AWD standard | Dual-function X-MODE | 9.3 in |
| Sport Hybrid | Symmetrical AWD standard | Standard | 8.7 in |
| Limited Hybrid | Symmetrical AWD standard | Standard | 8.7 in |
7 of 7Trims with AWD standard
180 hp2.5-liter Boxer, gas trims
194 hpHybrid system output
3,500 lbsWilderness tow rating
How Subaru Symmetrical AWD Actually Works
Most small crossovers are front-wheel-drive cars with a clutch pack that sends power backward once a front wheel already slipped. That is a reaction. It works, but it happens after the fact.
Symmetrical AWD drives all four wheels all the time. The Boxer engine sits low and flat, and the drivetrain runs straight down the middle of the car with near-equal length on both sides. Traction is already committed before a wheel breaks loose, and the weight sits low and even.
On a wet on-ramp off Western Boulevard, that is the difference between the car settling and the car correcting. Every trim gets it. The EyeSight driver assist suite is standard across the lineup too, so lane centering and pre-collision braking come along with it.
What X-MODE Adds on Top of AWD
X-MODE is a low-speed traction program, not a separate drivetrain. It holds the CVT in a lower ratio, sharpens throttle response, and brakes a spinning wheel so torque crosses to the one with grip. Hill descent control comes with it.
Every trim has X-MODE. The Wilderness gets the dual-function version, which adds a deep snow and mud setting and a revised final-drive ratio for climbing at low speed. It also raises ground clearance to 9.3 inches and adds underbody protection.
The Wilderness tows 3,500 lbs. Other trims are rated at 1,500 lbs. Source: Subaru Crosstrek Wilderness specs.
Why AWD Matters on the Carolina Coast
Onslow County does not get much snow. That is not the argument for all-wheel drive here. The argument is water, sand, and the shoulder season.
Coastal storms drop rain faster than the drainage on the low stretches of Piney Green Road and Gum Branch Road can move it. Standing water and a front-drive car is how you find out what hydroplaning feels like. Full-time AWD plus 8.7 inches of clearance changes that math.
Then there is sand. Anyone launching a boat at Swansboro or parking off the pavement near Hammocks Beach has watched a two-wheel-drive crossover dig itself in on a soft ramp. X-MODE and AWD are what get you back out without a tow strap and an audience.
For Marines and sailors at Camp Lejeune and MCAS New River, there is a second reason. A PCS move can put you in Fairbanks or Bremerton next, and the Crosstrek does not need to be re-optioned to handle either one. The drivetrain is already right.
Crosstrek AWD Questions From Jacksonville Buyers
Is AWD standard on the Subaru Crosstrek?
Yes. Subaru Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive is standard on every Crosstrek trim, gas and hybrid. There is no front-wheel-drive Crosstrek and no AWD option to add, because it is already there on the Base trim.
What is the difference between Symmetrical AWD and the AWD in other small SUVs?
Most small crossovers drive the front wheels and send power rearward only after a front wheel slips. Symmetrical AWD sends power to all four wheels full time, so traction is already there before a wheel breaks loose. The layout is also symmetrical left to right, which helps the car stay balanced on wet or rutted roads.
Do I need X-MODE for driving around Jacksonville?
For daily driving on NC-24 and Western Boulevard, standard Symmetrical AWD handles it. X-MODE earns its keep on wet grass, soft sand, and unpaved launches, so it matters most if you tow a boat to Swansboro or park off the pavement at Hammocks Beach.
Does the Crosstrek Hybrid still have all-wheel drive?
Yes. Both Hybrid trims keep Subaru Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive. The 2026 Crosstrek Hybrid is a full hybrid that charges itself through the engine and regenerative braking, so there is no plug and no charging stop to plan around.
How much ground clearance does the Crosstrek have?
Most trims sit at 8.7 inches. The Wilderness raises that to 9.3 inches and adds underbody protection. Both figures clear the standing water that collects on low stretches of Piney Green Road after a heavy coastal rain.
Can I drive a Crosstrek before I buy one?
Yes. Sport Durst Subaru of Jacksonville is at 2400 N. Marine Blvd, and Crosstrek inventory changes weekly. Call (910) 507-7316 to confirm which trims are on the lot and to line up a test drive.
Drive One in Jacksonville
Sport Durst Subaru of Jacksonville
2400 N. Marine Blvd, Jacksonville, NC 28546
Sales: (910) 507-7316
Service: (910) 427-5812
Open Monday through Friday 9am to 8pm and Saturday 9am to 6pm. We are on North Marine Boulevard, a straight run from Camp Lejeune and about 25 minutes from Swansboro on NC-24.
Ready to move on one? Start with financing pre-approval, get a number on your current vehicle with our trade-in appraisal, or book a service visit for the Subaru you already own.
Every Crosstrek on Our Lot Has AWD
You do not have to hunt for the right trim to get it. Come drive one and feel the difference on a wet Jacksonville morning.
