Automotive
The Subaru brand isn’t authentic without the Outback being the vehicle with brand lineage that has stood the test of time. I may even remember the old Paul Hogan commercials for the Outback, being a force that connected so many newfound fans of the brand and setting a precedent for such a robust love of the lineup of reasonably priced all-wheel-drive vehicles. For the 2026 model 12 months, the Outback gets a redesign, but one to maintain its strong base appeased with the subtle changes that start with a brand new look that appears more cohesive for being a rugged vehicle ready for adventure and somewhat shrugging off the old lifted-wagon theme. Now, the Outback is more chiseled and boxy in its look and finds more of its place in being a tall-statured vehicle without going full-on SUV. Though the Outback continues to position itself alongside a large swath of SUVs, which isn’t a nasty thing as such segments proceed to grow.
For 2026, the brand new Subaru Outback feels more substantial even in the bottom Premium trim of my test vehicle (Outback Touring shown in images), where such a trim still brings many desirables to the table. With those desirables, there’s quite a bit to understand in and out of the brand new Outback that barely departs from a hole feeling vehicle now feeling more premium with a quieter cabin because of proper sound deadening and even getting double-pane (laminated) front side windows on the bottom trim. Furthermore, there’s recent welcomed equipment (optional on the Premium trim as a part of a $2,270 options package), reminiscent of the brand new landscape-oriented 12.1-inch infotainment touchscreen that’s miles higher than the outgoing portrait-style setup. There’s a newfound simplicity to the controls with a full array of physical buttons for the dual-zone automatic climate control system and dedicated physical buttons for other commonly used features, reminiscent of turning off the beginning/stop function.
The brand new optional-for-the-Premium-trim infotainment system, combined with an updated 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster that supports navigation mapping out of your wirelessly integrated smartphone via Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, all adds to the brand new appeal of the Outback and its newfound tech. The system is far userfriendlier than the outgoing setup and offers up a crisper screen and has a comparatively short learning curve. On the Outback Premium trim, you continue to get these niceties together with a wireless smartphone charging pad, heated front seats, heated steering wheel, power front seats, and artificial leather upholstery accented by cleverly-placed padded fabric trim throughout the cabin. The cargo area, with its theme still being a wagon type, stays vast, with about 34.6 cubic feet of space with the rear seat backs up in place. Fold the 60/40-split rear seatbacks down, and you might have just over 80 cubic feet of space to work with, all accessed by a regular power liftgate with automatic close and height memory function.
There’s little doubt that Subaru took notes from its dedicated fan base and listened. Though in the case of the powertrain, things still don’t necessarily take a leap so far as the brand new design and updated equipment of the brand new Outback. Still, for the bottom trims, the Outback gets the two.5-liter boxer (horizontally opposed) 4-cylinder engine that’s now been tweaked for 180 horsepower and 178 lb-ft of torque. Nevertheless, the engine continues to get mated to a Constantly Variable Transmission (CVT) that also saps a few of the fun and what would have been potential for some needed extra oomph. Those that desire the additional power will likely be comfortable to seek out the turbocharged 2.4-liter boxer 4-cylinder engine returning and made available for the upper trim levels, sporting 260 horsepower and 277 lb-ft of torque.
Still, acceleration shouldn’t be as zippy as I might have hoped in the bottom Outback Premium, hitting 60 mph in about 8.7 seconds. The usual symmetrical all-wheel-drive combined with a middle limited-slip differential continues to prove its value, keeping the Outback surefooted on most surfaces and adding to its off-roading prowess. Ride quality is nice with some noticeable improvements over the outgoing Outback, as there continues to be a welcome balance on the road and on many off-roading trails with its 8.7 inches of ground clearance (9.5 inches on the Wilderness trim).
The one downfall, as I are inclined to unfortunately repeat myself, stays that CVT, with its jerkiness still present and lackluster throttle pull at times. It’s only if you get moving around 35 mph and above that you might have a great range of the CVT, making an adjustment to let the engine get into its sweet power spot closer to redline, that you are feeling confident in acceleration. Nevertheless, initial acceleration appears to be improved comparing it to what I remember. Getting out of the outlet situations appear to be higher and never beholden to a slow-reacting CVT considering the ability of the engine remains to be under 200 horsepower.
Fuel economy stays mostly consistent, matching the EPA estimates in the actual world of 25 mpg city, 31 mpg highway, and 27 mpg combined. The 18-gallon fuel tank full of standard unleaded fuel gives you a highway cruising range of about 558 miles.
On the side of safety, Subaru sticks with the tradition of improving upon its EyeSight safety system, which is now available with hands-free highway driving as much as 85 mph. While I didn’t get the hands-free function on my test vehicle (comes equipped on Touring and Touring XT trims only), the standard EyeSight lane-keeping assist feature works excellently coupled with adaptive cruise control, that are all bundled as standard features with blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, forward-collision warning with automated emergency braking, and a single-angle view backup camera.
Coupled with its recent boxy looks, recent inviting interior space that feels more premium, and a rather reworked base powertrain that isn’t as buzzy-sounding, the brand new Outback is improved in nearly every way, and I welcome it – as I’m sure recent buyers will. Subaru did justice within the redesign of the Outback, now feeling like a correct contender within the vast SUV field where its wagon traits don’t hold it back in anyway. Moreover, the pricing scale stays reasonable, coming slightly below $40K for the brand new Outback within the Premium trim, with my test vehicle landing at $39,110, which incorporates a $2,270 options package, $395 Deep Emerald Green Pearl paint option, and a $1,450 delivery and destination fee.
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Malcolm Hogan is the founder and editor of Automotive Addicts, a trusted voice within the automotive media world for over twenty years. With 20+ years of hands-on experience covering the industry, Malcolm has built a popularity for delivering honest reviews, sharp insights, and in-depth coverage of every thing from recent automotive debuts to high-performance test drives. Captivated with the evolving automotive culture and staying ahead of the curve, Malcolm continues to steer Automotive Addicts as a go-to destination for enthusiasts and industry insiders alike.
This Article First Appeared At www.automotiveaddicts.com
