- The 2026 Subaru Outback features a completely revamped exterior shape and interior design.
- A 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine is standard, with a turbocharged 2.4-liter four available on higher trims.
- The new Outback will go on sale in late 2025, with the hardcore Wilderness trim arriving in early 2026.
About 30 years ago, Subaru pioneered the off-road-wagon concept with the original Outback. With its chunky fender flares and raised ride height, the Outback stood apart from the street-focused Legacy wagon on which it was based, and it set the stage for rivals like the Audi Allroad and Volvo XC70. As the Outback’s capabilities grew over the years, so did its height—the wagon eventually offered 9.5 inches of ground clearance in Wilderness trim. For 2026, Subaru gives the seventh-generation Outback a comprehensive overhaul inside and out.Design and ExteriorThe 2026 Outback adopts a more upright and boxier silhouette, moving away from its traditional wagon roots toward a more SUV-like appearance. The front fascia features stacked headlight clusters and a larger upright grille for a chunkier, bolder look. Along the sides, the sculpted sheetmetal and pronounced wheel arches continue the muscular theme.A 2.0-inch-taller roofline opens up the cargo area to 35 cubic feet—two more than the outgoing model—while the load floor is both wider and easier to access. Overlanders will appreciate the beefier roof rails, which will support up to 800 pounds of static weight. A lateral load rating of 220 pounds makes them useful for hanging hammocks or drying clothes at camp.Interior and TechnologyInside, Subaru gave the Outback a cleaner, more straightforward design. All trims now come standard with a 12.1-inch touchscreen. The new interface brings wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, plus a faster processor for quicker responses to inputs. The climate-control functions have been pulled out of the screen and replaced with good old-fashioned buttons—glove-friendly and smart.The 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster can switch among several views, including a calm minimalist layout, a traditional analog-style display, and a map-focused setup for nav-heavy trips. Subaru also introduced a new EyeSight mode that highlights the road ahead, including nearby vehicles, for drivers who want real-time feedback from the suite of driver-assist systems.Front and rear passengers benefit from new “low-fatigue” seats mounted directly to the chassis. Subaru claims they reduce head movement and improve long-haul comfort. Practical touches include larger bottle holders in the doors accommodating 32-ounce containers and a configurable, washable tonneau cover made from recycled materials. A clip for the passenger’s-side USB cable keeps wires neat, and the cargo area has hooks for hanging wet gear and grocery bags.Performance and CapabilityUnder the hood, the Outback features one of two familiar powertrains: The base engine is a naturally aspirated 2.5-liter four-cylinder making 180 horsepower and 178 pound-feet of torque, while the Wilderness continues with a punchier turbocharged 2.4-liter four delivering 260 horsepower and 277 pound-feet (also available on XT models). Both engines are paired to a continuously variable automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive.A notable addition is the revised X-Mode system, now accessible via a steering-wheel-mounted switch, allowing drivers to adjust drive-mode settings without diverting attention from the trail. Ground clearance remains 9.5 inches for the Wilderness and 8.7 inches for other models. Select trims now offer 19-inch wheels for a bit more street style.Safety and Driver AssistanceThe latest iteration of Subaru’s EyeSight driver-assist technology comes standard. It includes front pre-collision braking, adaptive cruise control, lane centering, and the new emergency stop assist with safe lane selection, a system that can safely bring the vehicle to a stop and alert emergency services if the driver becomes unresponsive. Select trims also offer hands-free highway driving at up to 85 mph, aiming to reduce driver fatigue on long journeys.Wilderness: Built for the TrailFor 2026, the Subaru Outback Wilderness returns as the most off-road-oriented model in the lineup. Exterior changes include additional underbody protection, a revised front bumper, matte black cladding, and Wilderness-specific copper-colored accents. Up front, the grille ditches Subaru’s six-star badge in favor of blocky SUBARU lettering—you know, just like a Ford Raptor. Inside, water-resistant upholstery is standard, while ventilated nappa leather seating is optional.The Wilderness also features greater approach, departure, and break-over angles than the rest of the Outback lineup. As before, the Wilderness rides on meaty all-terrain tires mounted on 17-inch wheels. The suspension now includes electronically controlled dampers for greater stability and control on a variety of terrain. Towing capacity is 3500 pounds, aided by a redesigned rear bumper and upgraded trailer-hitch hardware.SubaruSubaruAvailabilityThe 2026 Subaru Outback is set to arrive at dealerships nationwide later this year, with trims including Premium, Limited, Touring, Limited XT, and Touring XT. The Wilderness trim is set to follow in early 2026. Subaru has yet to release pricing for the new 2026 Outback, but we’re expecting a modest bump over its predecessor, starting somewhere a little over $30,000 and nearing $50,000 for the top-line Wilderness trim.More Outback ReadingIn his 20 years as a writer in the commercial, television, and feature world, Derek has worked on a wide array of projects with Emmy- and Oscar-winning directors such as Nicolas Winding Refn, Peter Berg, Morgan Spurlock, Stacy Peralta, Trish Sie, Davis Guggenheim, Lauren Greenfield and David Gelb. As a producer on Top Gear America, Derek is able to combine his love of cars and storytelling in one place. He’s also a freelance writer and onscreen host across a variety of mediums. In the print world, Derek explores the emotional connection that’s at the heart of every great car story. His features can be seen in Car and Driver, Autoweek, The Drive, European Car, Hagerty, and MotorTrend. Derek resides in Los Angeles. When he’s not writing, he is out at the racetrack, going off-roading, or building demolition derby cars with friends.
Source: caranddriver.com
