2026 Subaru Outback revealed, looks more like an SUV than ever before

The 2026 Subaru Outback has been revealed at the New York motor show, looking more like an SUV than the high-riding wagon it has always been.

Subaru will manufacture the new Outback in Japan, including the more rugged Wilderness which was previously produced only in the US. The new-generation model won’t be manufactured in the US at all.

“Subaru’s latest global unveilings at the New York International Auto Show provide an exciting glimpse into the brand’s future,” said a Subaru Australia spokesperson.

“We look forward to sharing what these global debuts mean for the Australian market in due course.”

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It’s launching in the US in late 2025, with the more rugged Wilderness following in early 2026.

The new seventh-generation Outback will be offered with a choice of two petrol engines, like the outgoing model, both of which are mated with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) featuring a manual shift mode with eight artificial gears.

All models now also feature Subaru’s Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive system and a faster centre differential lockup than before, while Wilderness models feature new electronically controlled dampers.

The base engine is a naturally aspirated 2.5-litre flat-four with 134kW of power and 241Nm of torque, while a turbocharged 2.4-litre is also available with 194kW and 376Nm.

Only the latter is offered in the Wilderness.

No mention was made of a hybrid powertrain, though it’s likely Subaru will eventually introduce one.

The ‘regular’ Outback has 221mm of ground clearance – the outgoing model has 213mm in Australia – while the Wilderness bumps this up to 241mm.

Off-road angles are as follows:

The styling is boxier than before, with a more upright front fascia and a flatter but 51mm higher roofline. Up front, there’s also a larger grille, which on the Wilderness features big black ‘Subaru’ lettering.

Wilderness models also feature matte black exterior mirrors and cladding, plus a restyled front bumper, hexagonal fog lights, and various anodised copper-finish exterior accents.

19-inch alloy wheels are newly available on some Outback variants, though the Wilderness is offered exclusively with matte-black 17s in Bridgestone Dueler all-terrain tyres.

While it hasn’t released full dimensions, Subaru says there’s more cargo and passenger space than before.

Subaru claims there’s 980L of luggage space, up 57L thanks to a 51mm taller load area. There are tie-down points for gear.

In the cargo bay there’s also a washable tonneau cover made from recycled materials, which can be used as a partition to secure pets or to cover the rear bumper to prevent scratches.

The standard raised roof rails have a 363kg static load capacity and a 100kg dynamic load rating.

The company also claims that for the first time ever on one of its vehicles, it can boast a lateral load capacity rating of up to 100kg from the sides of the crossbars, allowing you to hang a hammock or clothesline.

Inside, all Outback models including the Wilderness feature a 12.1-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, powered by a new processor promising greater responsiveness.

The touchscreen returns to a landscape-oriented format and grows from 11.6 inches, and features a vertically oriented shortcut bar and cloud-based voice recognition.

Ahead of the driver is a new 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster which features various display modes, including a map display as well as a Calm Mode aimed at minimising driver distraction.

Subaru has returned to a traditional climate control array with buttons and knobs, while storage includes larger bottle holders in the doors and “more accessible” cupholders – the latter now located to the side of the shifter.

The X-Mode switch, which allows you to select different terrain modes, has been moved to the steering wheel.

Wilderness models feature exclusive water-resistant StarTex upholstery as well as more anodised copper-finish interior accents.

Available luxury features in certain Outback models, including the Wilderness, include Nappa leather upholstery, ventilated front seats, and a single-pane sunroof.

The company has also employed more sound-absorbing materials in the roof and headliner, and claims to have reduced wind noise by 10 per cent thanks to “aerodynamic elements in the body sides and roof rails”.

Headroom is up, naturally, while there are new “low-fatigue seats mounted directly onto the chassis” which Subaru promises “improve long-distance comfort and reduce head movement on longer drives”.

To that end, Subaru claims lateral sway in the Outback has been reduced by 42 per cent compared with its predecessor.

The Outback uses a version of the WRX’s dual-pinion electronic power steering rack which Subaru claims provides a “more direct and natural steering feel with greater responsiveness”.

It also has the latest generation of Subaru’s EyeSight active safety and driver assist technology, powered by a mix of camera and radar.

Standard safety equipment includes:

• Acceleration Override Assist
• Adaptive cruise control
• Autonomous emergency braking
• Emergency stop assist (brings car to a halt when adaptive cruise is on if, for example, driver falls unconscious)
• Front cross-traffic assist
• Lane centring

In its presentation at the show, Subaru took some swings at the competition.

The company claims the Wilderness is more capable off-road than the Hyundai Santa Fe XRT and Ford Bronco Sport Badlands, and claims 96 per cent of all Outbacks sold in the US over the past 10 years are still on the road today, more than the Toyota RAV4 and Honda CR-V.

The launch of the seventh-generation model coincides with the 30th anniversary of the Outback nameplate.

Last year, Subaru delivered 10,227 Outbacks here, making it the brand’s third best-selling model here behind only the Crosstrek (11,545) and Forester (13,445).

It was also the third best-selling Subaru in the US, a key market for the brand. Last year, just over 70 per cent of all Subarus – or 667,725 vehicles out of 941,758 – were sold in the US market, with the Japanese market (103,522) a distant second.

What are your thoughts on the new Outback’s design? Let us know in the comments!

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