What is it?
It was 30 years ago that Subaru came up with the brilliant idea of adding rugged styling and raised ground clearance to its Legacy Wagon to create the Subaru Outback. Five years later, the Outback became its own model in the Subaru lineup, and for 2026, this popular crossover gets a significant update as it moves into its seventh generation.

New Look
The Outback has always looked like a raised station wagon with styling shared with other vehicles in the Subaru lineup, but for 2026, it introduces an all-new bold look for the brand with styling that is more SUV than wagon. The vertical front end is squared off with an all-new grille, flanked by slim, swept-back daytime running lights and vertical headlights integrated into the bodywork so they’re almost unnoticed when off. Fog lights at the corners add to the wide stance of the new Outback.

Rear View
With a rear hatch that is more upright than the previous version, the 2026 Outback has more of an SUV look at the rear. The revised bumper features scratch-resistant cladding, while a light bar spans the hatch, connecting the stylish LED taillights. It may look different, but with OUTBACK spelled out across the hatch and SUBARU embossed in the bumper, nobody will mistake it for anything else.

SUV-Like Silhouette
It may be similar in size to the outgoing Outback, but the new version looks much larger, with a flat roof and squared-off corners like a more traditional SUV. Cladding at the base of the doors and around the wheels adds to the rugged look while providing protection from scratches when venturing off pavement. For the first time, Subaru will offer the Outback with 19-inch wheels on higher-level trims.

Wilderness
Subaru introduced the Wilderness a few years ago as a more adventurous version of the Outback, and this upgraded version continues for the 2026 model year. The Wilderness stands out with a unique grille with SUBARU integrated into the design, as well as higher ground clearance and skid plates. Like its predecessor, the 2026 Outback Wilderness features anodized copper exterior accents, unique 17-inch matte black wheels shod with all-terrain Bridgestone Dueler tires, and LED hexagonal fog lights, further differentiating it from the standard Outback.

Cleaner Interior Design
Subaru is ditching its vertical center screen for an all-new 12.1-inch infotainment display, complimented by a new 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster. This results in a cleaner design, and functionality is improved with the separate physical controls for climate functions. A wireless charging pad and dual USB ports are there to keep all the devices charged.

Updated Infotainment
The new infotainment system in the Outback appears easy to use, with a handy left-hand menu bar providing quick access to navigation, media, and communications functions. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard, and Subaru offers a new cloud-based voice interface.

More Comfortable
With the higher roof comes more headroom for front and rear seat passengers, and the seats are redesigned and mounted directly to the chassis to reduce fatigue after extended time in the vehicle. Additional sound-absorbing materials should make the cabin quieter, and Subaru says the more aerodynamic design of the sides and roof rails reduces wind noise by 10 percent.

Wilderness Upgrades
While the Outback Wilderness gets a more rugged look on the outside, inside it coddles its passengers with available Nappa leather upholstery with heated and ventilated front seats. For those who prefer, the Wilderness comes standard with the water-resistant StarTex seat trim.

Cargo Space
The Outback’s new shape also creates more cargo room than its predecessor. The space is wider and taller, providing 34.6 cubic feet of space behind the rear seats. Cargo hooks help to keep items secure, and the liftgate can be used to hang items like a clothesline or lanterns – it can hold up to six pounds.

Innovative Cover
Adding to the Outback’s versatility is a new, configurable cargo cover made from recycled materials. The fabric cover can hide items in the cargo space like a typical tonneau cover, but it can also create a sort of hammock for storing wet or dirty items away from the rest of the vehicle. It can also act as a divider to keep pets off the seats, or it can hang over the bumper to keep it from getting scratched while loading the vehicle. As a bonus, the cover is easily washed.

Under the Hood
The 2026 Subaru Outback comes standard with a revised 2.5-liter 4-cylinder BOXER engine, putting out 180 horsepower and 178 lb-ft of torque – almost the same as the outgoing version. A more powerful 2.4-liter turbocharged engine delivering 260 horsepower and 277 lb-ft of torque is standard on the Wilderness, available on the XT. Both engines team with a Lineartronic continuously variable transmission (CVT) with an 8-speed manual shift mode.

All-wheel drive with X-Mode
As it has been from the beginning, the Outback comes standard with Subaru’s Symmetrical all-wheel drive. For 2026, the AWD system is updated with a faster center differential lockup, which improves traction for better stability. All Outbacks get the latest version of X-Mode for better off-road capability, and the Wilderness gets a dual-mode version with Snow/Dirt and Deep Snow/Mud modes. The standard Outback has 8.7 inches of ground clearance, while the Wilderness is raised to 9.5 inches.

EyeSight Updated
Every 2026 Subaru Outback comes standard with EyeSight, the brand’s advanced driver assist system. The list of features included with the standard EyeSight is extensive, and it includes pre-collision braking, adaptive cruise control, lane sway warning, and front cross traffic braking. Also available is Emergency Stop Assist with Safe Lane Selection – if the driver becomes unresponsive, the system will pull the vehicle over and bring it to a stop, activate the hazard lights, and contact first responders.

Hands-Free
For the first time, Subaru is offering the Outback with a hands-free driving system. On select limited-access highways, the Outback can operate hands-free at speeds up to 85 mph while the driver remains attentive to the road. A pre-curve speed control can also slow the Subaru when it detects an upcoming tight curve.

Availability
The 2026 Subaru Outback will be available in Premium, Limited, Touring, Limited XT, and Touring XT when it arrives this fall. The new Outback Wilderness is expected to arrive early next year. Look for pricing to be released closer to the on-sale date.