2026 Subaru Outback: This Is It
Say goodbye to the wagon. The new Outback is a chunky crossover SUV.
The Subaru Outback as we've known it for 30 years is dead. Well, maybe not entirely dead. If you stare long enough at the profile of the 2026 Subaru Outback, there's a hint of station wagon in its big, bulky body. Then again, there's a hint of station wagon in most crossover SUVs. That's what makes them a crossover.
And now, that wholly describes the new seventh-generation Outback. Spy photos tipped us off to the design changes, and with the camouflage removed we see a plethora of chiseled lines and plastic cladding, all designed to give the former wagon a "new, bolder design," according to Subaru. There's newfound symmetry at the front, with a wide rectangular grille flanked by stacked headlights. The lower fascia—thick with dark cladding—holds driving lamps in more rectangular cutouts.
An All-New Design Inside and Out for the Outback
Moving rearward, the sloping roofline of the old model is all but gone. The new Outback retains an upright appearance with larger windows, culminating at the rear hatch with a steeper rake to the window. The D-pillar no longer has sloping glass. Even the wheel arches have awkward, segmented styling similar to the Forester. In some ways, the Forester almost looks more like a wagon than the Outback does now. Is it an improvement from the previous-gen model? The jury's still out.
The interior definitely looks better, though. The big portrait screen is replaced with a landscape-oriented 12.1-inch screen sitting higher on the dash. The driver gets a fresh 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster, and while they aren't connected, both displays are housed in a single bezel for a clean, symmetrical look. These are standard across all Outback trims, though higher-spec models will enhance the displays with a posh two-tone dash made in part from recycled materials. And button fans rejoice—Subaru adds a bank of tactile controls for climate settings. There's even a big shift stalk in the center console.
The changes aren't just for looks, though. Subaru says the new body creates 34.6 cubic feet of cargo space in the back, two more cubes versus the old model. That's largely due to a 2.0-inch increase in roof height. That also leads to more headroom for occupants, though Subaru doesn't have specific dimensions to share right now. We're told that extra sound deadening is used in the roof and headliner, reducing interior noise. And the seats are now mounted directly to the chassis for better long-distance comfort.
New Looks, Same Subaru Powertrain
Underneath those new body panels and securely bolted seats is a familiar Subaru formula. A 2.5-liter boxer four-cylinder still turns all four wheels, but it's revised and now makes 180 horsepower. That's two ponies less than the old wagon, but there are two more torques, at 178 pound-feet. Subaru doesn't mention any changes in driving dynamics from the minor tweaks; power goes through a CVT with simulated shifts, if you so choose.
A modified version of the WRX's steering system is tuned specifically for the Outback, with better low-speed control. An updated Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive system has faster lockup for the center diff. And for those seeking more power, the XT returns with the same turbocharged 2.4-liter four-pot making 260 hp. Torque is up to 277 lb-ft, seven more than last year. It also uses the CVT with a manual mode, though Subaru says its Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive system is updated with a center diff that locks faster, among other small changes.
Gallery: 2026 Subaru Outback
The new Outback still has 8.7 inches of ground clearance, but you can get factory-installed 19-inch wheels for the first time. As for technology, the company's latest Eyesight driver assist gear is available, including hands-free driving up to 85 mph on approved highways. Apple and Android compatibility are still standard across the line for those who prefer their phones for entertainment and navigation.
Pricing for the 2026 Outback will be announced closer to its on-sale date. That will come in late 2025, launching in Premium, Limited, Touring, Limited XT, Touring XT and Wilderness trims.
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Source: Subaru
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