2026 Subaru Outback

The 2026 model year welcomes aboard a seventh-generation recast of Subaru’s popular two-row all-wheel-drive Outback crossover; a staple in its lineup for three decades. This latest incarnation brings forth a taller, wider, upright stance with updated interior additives, better Intune with driver’s immediate requests. 
A new lineup of trim levels gather together in 2026 with Premium now slotting as the entry choice as a ‘base’ model retires.  Trims continue with Limited, Touring, Limited XT, Touring XT and the ultimate off-roader, Wilderness all built from Subaru’s lighter weight, unibody Global Platform promoting all-wheel drive upgrades a step above many mainstream rivals. 

The first appearance of the Outback designation arrived as a trim offering within Subaru’s Legacy wagon lineup from the 1995 model year until 2000. During its second-generation (2000-2004) Outback arrived as its own model with 7.9-inch of off-road friendly ground clearance. Subaru retired the Legacy sedan in 2025 after three-decades of service, freeing Outback to finally step out of Legacy’s shadow into its own quintessential crossover framework. 

Shoppers get to choose between two engines with very minor modifications from 2025 including a standard, 2.5-liter naturally aspirated version cranking out 180 horsepower and an upgraded turbocharged 2.4-liter variant generating 260 horses available in both XTs and standard in Wilderness. Both mate to smooth operating Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) promoting active torque split. Engines include start/stop technology, temporarily deactivating the engine during prolonged stops to conserve fuel.  When the right foot lifts from the brake pedal, the system snaps back to life. Outback’s start/stop design proves less intrusive with less distraction than many recently tested systems. 

Subaru’s model lineup includes numerous five door crossovers and wagons with extra gripping potential during on or off-road traveling. All Subarus promote variations of Symmetrical all-wheel drive technology with the exception of its quirky BRZ, checking in as a niche small two-door coupe. Subaru takes a cautious, market-driven approach to the emerging electric vehicle revolution.  

Outback remains sans of an EV twin. Subaru introduced the compact Solterra EV crossover (which also features symmetrical all-wheel drive) three years ago while an all-new mid-size Trailseeker EV debuts in 2026. Subaru recently introduced several self-charging gas-electric hybrids, or hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) into the lineup (found in the compact Forester and compact Crosstrek crossovers) but none as of yet within the Outback portfolio.

Subaru’s all-wheel drive bases upon a horizontally opposed, longitudinal-mounted engine with pistons lying flat at 180 degrees positioned low in the underbelly (a ‘Boxer’ design, also known as a ‘Flat 4’) providing superior weight balance and low center of gravity. The straight line, or symmetrical format continues rearward towards the rear differential and tweaks slightly depending upon the transmission utilized (i.e. manual, conventional automatic or CVT type) which sits behind the front axle. 

Think of Outback’s symmetrical all-wheel drive as a ‘proactive’ or permanent design, meaning its always within an active state all the time.  Many other rival designs choose a ‘reactive’ or part-time set up, where the vehicle travels primarily in front-wheel drive until detecting slippage, then shifts into an all-wheel drive format.  During normal driving conditions, the 60/40 front/rear torque split promotes enhanced performance. 

Driver’s may choose the ‘X-mode’ option built into symmetrical all-wheel drive from a 3 o’clock steering wheel push button allowing a differing distributions of torque to the wheels for increased grip in heavy snow or mud. Picture X-Mode as a ‘low-gear’ option on steroids that automatically disengages at speeds above 25 miles per hour. Hill decent control, built into X-Mode, helps vehicle wheels stay in control when descending steep off-road inclines without employing the foot brake at speeds below 12 miles per hour.

Vehicle Dynamics Control (VDC) combines traction control and stability control and also builds into Subaru’s symmetrical all-wheel drive enhancing handling. When sensers detect a loss of traction in a particular wheel, engine output gets cut to that wheel forcing it to slow down and regain traction avoiding a potential skid while keeping Outback on route.   

While the 108.1-inch wheelbase remains unchanged from the previous generation, this 2026 measures two inches taller, an inch longer and inch-and-a-half wider. Previous generations resembled a five-door wagon with jacked-up suspension while this latest incarnation muscles up into a bolder five-door crossover with a larger, vertical front grille rather than a protruding nose with its hood elevated.

Also new for Outback in 2026, a reworked multimedia system center high-resolution, square-shaped touch-sensitive and swappable screen built into the upper center dash now 12.1 inches with the top portion extending slightly above the dash in flat screen fashion with new intuitive interface in all trims.  This replaces the outgoing design with touch-sensitive HVAC controls built into screen’s bottom portion. This system works in tandem with wireless Apple Car Play and Android Auto and separates from the rectangular-shaped, full color 12.3-inch configurable digital instrument panel cluster by a black vertical separator with volume knob atop.

This panel includes several selectable views including “Normal” (or traditional) perspective with two analog-like orbs reimagined with digital animation promoting a right-side circular speedometer with digital readout center stage and left-side tachometer with programmable center window.  Outside temperature and digital time displays within a top window bar. A “calm” mode reverses the information overload effect with basic feedback while a “map-focused” mode includes a navigation feed as the primary screen filler with data points minimized.  All four modes select through the center touch screen by selecting the ‘Display’ icon then choosing Instrument cluster from the home screen.

The entry Premium’s starting price checks in at $34,995. Our Limited XT trim with turbocharged engine arrived with a $44,365 starting price.  No factory or dealer options were added, bringing the bottom line to $45,815 with $1,450 destination charge.  

The 8.7 inches of ground clearance in most trims (Wilderness boasts 9.5 inches) promotes ease of entry while also promoting competent off-road abilities in the upper Midwest. My significant other with mobility issues rarely encounters any entry/exit detours when riding shotgun in a Subaru crossover. Drivers also enjoy good visual commands of the roads ahead. 

Body-colored, straplike door handles come standard across the board as do squared wheel wells. The rear hatch operates with power assistance across the board as well with a wiper stationed at the bottom and swiping up when summoned. 

Interiors include three styles of seating fabric.  Both Limited trims feature leather-trimmed upholstery while the top touring trim offers upgraded Nappa-trimmed upholstery while Premium and Wilderness offer up a basic but easy-clean Star-Tex composite. All trims sans Premium include a heated steering wheel and heated outboard second-row seats.  

The electronic push-button start locates on the dashboard right of the steering column and includes a small rectangular illuminator that glows green to indicate the engine’s activity. As thirsts grow larger in 2026, so too do inline beverage holders in between front buckets large enough to accommodate 32-oz. water bottles. 

Between the front buckets resides a tall-standing mechanical transmission shifter traveling vertically from park down to drive. The electronic parking brake tab resides aft of this shifters along with four additional buttons disengaging the engine start/stop function and traction control. A flat, wireless Smartphone charger resides in a lower center cove beneath HVAC controls along with plug ports supporting both USB Type A and Type C designs.  

User-friendly HVAC controls now sport physical dials and two rows of push buttons within the lower center dash below the center screen and a pair of manually-adjusting vertical air vents for easier, quicker finger response time with minimal visual time away from the road ahead.  Two rows of iconed push buttons (fan speed, blower direction, fan speed, air conditioning, front/rear defrosters) along with a narrow window of illuminated digital visuals get flanked by dials adjusting the dual zone front chamber. 

Second row seatbacks include a 60/40 spilt and fold down manually onto cushions when summoning additional cargo room.  When folded, the backs form a single level floor even with the rest of the cargo plane, promoting easier stow and go with an impressive 80.5 cubic feet of volume.  Rear seats raised offer 34.6 cubic feet. With second row seatbacks prone, three riders may co-exist together for short city travel.

The sizeable 18-gallon tank digests regular, 87-octane fuel for both engines with our Limited XT providing a range of approximately  522 miles and a fuel economy rating of 21 miles gallon city and 29 mpg highway.  Outback’s boasting the naturally-aspirated engine generate slightly better numbers with 25 mpg city and 21 mpg highway. 
In the 2025 calendar year during the next-generation update, Subaru sold 157,716 Outback units, a 6.6 percent decline from the previous 12-month cycle ranking as Subaru’s third best-selling vehicle behind slightly smaller Forester and Crosstrek crossovers.

At a Glance: 2026 Subaru Outback Limited XT
Price as Tested: $45,815
Engine: 2.4-liter turbocharged four cylinder
Horsepower: 260
Wheelbase: 108.1 inches
Overall Length: 191.7 inches
Overall Height: 67.5 inches 
Overall Width: 74.0 inches
Fuel Economy: 21 mpg city/29 mpg highway
Curb Weight: 3,968 pounds
Powertrain Warranty: Five years/60,000 miles
Assembly: Japan