2026 Subaru Outback: A Comprehensive Review of the Redesigned SUV

The Subaru Outback, a staple of the brand for three decades with over three million units sold, enters its seventh generation with a comprehensive makeover for the 2026 model year. Characterized by a boxy new exterior design and a significantly optimized infotainment system, the 2026 Outback aims to blend SUV capability with the practicality Subaru is known for.

What’s New for 2026

Subaru has discontinued the Base trim level, replacing it with the Premium, which now serves as the entry-level model, offering better overall value. Touring and Touring XT trims are eligible for a software update enabling a hands-off highway driving system. All 2026 Outback models come standard with Subaru’s EyeSight suite of safety features, including haptic steering wheel alerts, automatic emergency steering, lane retain assist, blind-spot and rear cross-traffic warnings, and reverse automatic braking. Emergency Stop Assist is also standard, designed to stop the vehicle if the driver is unresponsive while using adaptive cruise control, activating hazard lights, unlocking doors, and contacting emergency services.

Trim Levels and Pricing

The 2026 Subaru Outback is available in six trim levels:

• Premium: Starting MSRP $36,445. Includes heated seats, black rear badging, a cargo tonneau cover, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, a power rear gate with automatic close, a removable rear trailer hitch bumper cover, and 18-inch aluminum-alloy wheels with a dark gray finish. An optional package adds rain-sensing wipers, cloud-based navigation, a wireless smartphone charger, a heated steering wheel, and a moonroof for $2,270.
• Limited: Starting MSRP $43,165. Adds navigation, a power moonroof, a Harman Kardon stereo, a wireless smartphone charger, heated rear seats and steering wheel, 18-inch aluminum-alloy wheels with a matte black finish, and perforated leather-trimmed upholstery with khaki stitching.
• Touring: Starting MSRP $46,845. Includes ventilated front seats, a surround view monitor, lumbar and thigh support for the driver’s seat, 18-inch black and machine-finish aluminum-alloy wheels, and Java Brown or Slate Black Nappa leather-trimmed perforated upholstery.
• Limited XT: Starting MSRP $45,815. Features a dual exhaust, a surround view monitor, and 19-inch aluminum-alloy wheels with a black finish.
• Touring XT: Starting MSRP $49,445. Includes all features of the Touring trim, plus the more powerful 2.4-liter Boxer turbo engine.
• Wilderness: Starting MSRP $46,445. Offers all-weather floormats, a wireless smartphone charger, 9.5 inches of ground clearance, electronically controlled dampers, all-terrain Bridgestone Dueler tires, anodized copper exterior and interior accents, 17-inch aluminum-alloy wheels with a matte black finish, and ladder-style roof rails with crossbar placement measurement markers. Optional packages add a moonroof, navigation, and a surround-view monitor for $2,045, or those features plus Nappa leather seats with copper stitching, ventilated front seats, and power-adjustable seats for an additional $4,090.

Powertrain and Performance

Two Boxer engines are available. The Premium, Limited, and Touring trims feature a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 180 horsepower and 178 lb-ft of torque. The Limited XT, Touring XT, and Wilderness trims are equipped with a 2.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine delivering 260 horsepower and 277 lb-ft of torque. The turbocharged engine does not require premium fuel.

Fuel Economy (EPA Estimated)

Both engines are paired with a Lineartronic CVT with an eight-speed manual shift mode and Subaru’s Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive. The X-MODE system, enhancing all-wheel-drive performance in challenging conditions, is standard. Wilderness models feature Dual Mode X-MODE with specific settings for snow, dirt, and mud, including hill descent control.

Exterior and Interior Design

The 2026 Outback sports a new, boxy design intended to convey a stronger, more rugged presence. Key exterior changes include redesigned headlights, a wider rear roof pillar, and a rear cargo hatch light bar. Body-color accents and an embossed Subaru logo are standard. The lower front fascia features a textured finish for scratch resistance and aerodynamics, and the roof rails have an 800-lbs static load capacity (220-lbs dynamic).

The interior incorporates sustainable materials, with headliner inserts made from recycled plastic bottles and a focus on reducing the vehicle’s carbon footprint. The infotainment system has been completely redesigned with a 12.1-inch touchscreen, a Snapdragon 8 Automotive Processor, 8GB of memory, and 128GB of storage. It supports wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, HD Radio, Bluetooth connectivity, Google Built-in services, and over-the-air updates. Physical buttons for climate controls are retained.

Warranty

Every 2026 Subaru Outback comes with a three-year/36,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty and a five-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty.

Exterior color options include Crystal Black Silica, Crimson Red Pearl, Geyser Blue, Ice Silver Metallic, Magnetite Gray Metallic, Sapphire Blue Pearl, and Crystal White Pearl. New colors for 2026 are Deep Emerald Green Pearl and River Rock Pearl, available for an additional $395.