All-New 2026 Subaru Outback

Design, technology and equipment improvements make the 2026 Subaru Outback a pacesetter for the Subaru crossover SUV category.

The 2026 Subaru Outback continues to blaze a trail in the adventure-ready crossover SUV category, providing owners with roomier space inside, more roof capacity, a supremely comfortable ride, and a dramatically improved infotainment and heating and air conditioning interface.

2026 Subaru Outback – Exterior Evolution

Let’s address the most obvious revision first: the appearance. When the 2026 Subaru Outback debuted at the New York International Auto Show in the spring of 2025, there was positive press coverage stating that it had turned from a “tall station wagon” to a full-blown SUV.

Unlike a change for change’s sake, it’s an evolution that makes the Outback even more useful for daily driving as well as for adventures. Up front, the appearance is dramatic. The Outback features a prominent black grille over a heavily cladded bumper cover and air intake, flanked by fog and driving lamps. The standard LED headlamps are reduced to slit openings just under the nearly flat hood.

Side cladding is more prominent than in previous generations, which helps to reduce the appearance of scratches and other damage. The wheel arches are cladded away from the appearance similar to the Subaru WRX. Instead, they’re now boxier and in line with rugged, ready-for-adventure SUVs like the Subaru Wilderness.

The A-pillar that houses the windshield has the same rake as the outgoing Outback, but the B-pillar behind the rear passengers is more upright, offering a larger door opening for rear passengers. Also, the C-pillar is much more upright than the previous generation, which provides additional easy-to-access space in the cargo compartment.

The overall result is that the Outback looks bigger, but it’s not. All exterior dimensions, save one, are nearly the same as the vehicle it replaces. The one dimension that does change is overall height, which has increased by 1.4 inches. While a shade under an inch and a half may not seem like a lot from the outside, it really counts on the interior.

2026 Subaru Outback – Interior Updates

The 1.4-inch increase in overall height transfers directly to the interior. Former Carline Planning Manager Nicole Riedel mentioned that one of the routine complaints about previous Outback generations was that headroom wasn’t particularly generous, especially when the vehicle was equipped with a moonroof.

For instance, the 2025 Outback offers 40.1 inches of headroom for the driver and front passenger but loses an inch when buyers opt for a moonroof (optional in the Premium and Wilderness trims). For 2026, this flips. When the optional moonroof is selected for either the Premium or Wilderness trim, headroom simply matches the headroom for all other 2026 Outback trims at 40.2 inches. But without the moonroof, headroom actually increases even higher than the standard headroom to 41.0 inches for both trims. Rear seat passengers – regardless of trim or moonroof option – are treated to an extra 1.4 inches of headroom.

The exterior design of the C-pillar and Power Rear Gate also add up to an increase in cargo volume, always an Outback selling point. With the seatbacks up, cargo volume for the 2026 model increases to 34.6 cubic feet versus the previous generation’s 32.6 cubic feet. What does 2 cubic feet look like? It’s approximately the inside volume of some of the largest countertop microwave ovens available. And all trim levels are equipped with a new multi-use cargo cover that covers and conceals the entire cargo area, or it can be folded and used like a hammock to store items that might roll around in the cargo area.

Subaru also responded to feedback on the infotainment stack. The previous generation positions the infotainment screen in “portrait mode” and packs a lot of heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC), X-MODE® and other controls onto the screen. The 2026 Outback revises that completely, shifting the screen to “landscape” at the top of the dash and reintroducing buttons for many of the HVAC controls. X-MODE moves out of submenus on the touchscreen to a single button on the steering wheel, making it easier to access when you need it.

2026 Subaru Outback – More Equipment at a Bargain Price

Riedel noted that somewhere around 2% of Outback customers opt for the entry-level trim level in the previous generation. That allows Subaru to advertise that the 2025 Outback is available for under $30,000, but in reality, most customers purchase a higher trim priced above that amount.

For 2026, the trim level starts with Premium. This means that the entry-level Premium MSRP is $34,995,^* an increase of $1,935 over last year’s Outback Premium. However, the Premium layers on about $4,000 worth of additional equipment compared to the 2025 model, including 18-inch aluminum-alloy wheels with a dark gray finish; Hands-Free Power Rear Gate with automatic close and height memory function; standard raised ladder-type roof rails¹ with an 800-pound static load capacity (220 pounds dynamic); and a new removable rear trailer hitch bumper cover.

From there, trim levels progress to the Limited and Touring with a 2.5-liter naturally aspirated SUBARU BOXER® engine, and the Limited XT, Touring XT, plus the upcoming Wilderness (available early in 2026), all featuring a 2.4-liter turbocharged SUBARU BOXER engine.

2026 Subaru Outback – Driving Impressions

All the design and equipment availability would be moot if the 2026 Subaru Outback didn’t provide outstanding driving comfort and dynamics, both on and off the road. The media launch for the Outback was in Sedona, Arizona, which sits at 4,360 feet above sea level. From there, we drove a mix of back roads, two-lane highways, and dirt and rock trails up to Mingus Mountain at 7,818 feet.

We were in the Outback Limited, equipped with the 2.5-liter engine. While it doesn’t offer the 260 hp of the turbocharged engine, its 186 hp provided plenty of power for passing and climbing into the thin air of the Black Hills mountain range. I’ve experienced the 260-hp engine in the 2025 Outback Wilderness, and it also makes passing and climbing completely free of drama.

With the exception of the 2026 Outback Wilderness trim, which offers an exceptional 9.5 inches of ground clearance, all the currently available Outback trims provide 8.7 inches of ground clearance. The journey took me through some rutted trails strewn with softball-sized rocks that only harmlessly touched the undercarriage once.

The Outback features a forward-facing camera, activated by a physical button. The camera proved itself cresting hills on the trail by providing a sky view to us. It was comforting to be able to see that there wasn’t anything hazardous over the top of the ridge.

In the previous generation, both the Base and Premium trims had 17-inch wheels, but for 2026, that steps up for the Premium, Limited, and Touring trims to an 18-inch wheel with 225/60 R18 all-season tires. The 60-series profile offers a tall sidewall, which did excellent work soaking up road irregularities and challenging terrain on the trails. Keep in mind that these tires are truly all-season “touring” style tires that aren’t really suited for significant off-road performance, but they still provided ample grip in the dirt. The Wilderness trim will be equipped with off-road suited 17-inch wheels and 225/65 R17 all-terrain tires as well as a full-size spare tire.

If you’ve long loved the Subaru Outback for its utility, ability to carry a family and all their gear, and its willingness to tackle off-road terrain, you’re going to love the 2026 Outback even more. This is truly the next generation of what Subaru crossover SUVs are capable of.

^* MSRP does not include destination and delivery charges, tax, title, and registration fees. Destination and delivery includes handling and inland freight fees and may vary in some states. Prices, specifications, options, features, and models subject to change without notice. Select colors may be subject to an additional charge. See your retailer for more information.

¹ Roof tents may be used in certain conditions. Contact your retailer for important safety information and requirements.