First Drive: the All-New Seventh-Generation 2026 Subaru Outback is Bolder, Boxier, and Ready for Adventure

Subaru debuted its redesigned Outback at the 2025 New York International Auto Show (NYIAS). The public’s reaction was polarizing. I was invited to Sedona, Arizona, to check it out for myself and test the all-new seventh-generation 2026 Subaru Outback.

The automaker recently debuted other vehicles like the 2026 Forester Wilderness and 2026 Crosstrek Hybrid. Its frenzy of redesigns and launches are creating lots of freshness in its model line.

Will a ground-up design be Subaru’s new silver bullet with buyers, or a hard pass for loyal enthusiasts? I take it to the dirt to find out for myself.

Subaru Outback’s New Design

Nicole Riedel is Subaru’s Carline Planning Manager for Outback. She’d been with Subaru of America for 15 years and has held multiple positions. However, the last five years have been mostly with this 2026 vehicle.

This new Outback comes in Premium, Limited, Touring, Limited XT, Touring XT, and Wilderness (which arrives early 2026) trims. Subaru declined details about a potential Outback Hybrid version, however.

As a major player for this all-new iteration, Nicole researched minor pain points current Subaru owners have and tried to find solutions.

“I was making trips to Japan to work with the team every six weeks for about a year, making sure we got exactly what the US market needed from this car,” Nicole said. Outback has been a Subaru mainstay for 30 years; she wanted to make sure it stayed that way. Nicole even took Japanese engineers to Costco “so they could just see what it’s like to see a mom with a toddler on her hip putting a flat of water in the back cargo area.”

One of her trips included luggage full of water bottles and a 7-Eleven Big Gulp, to test new Outback cupholders. Also, she looked into the best ergonomic position for them.

In addition to addressing those topics, Subaru carpeted the door panel areas where occupants’ water bottles would go to reduce vibration noise and scratching. Same as the Honda Passport Trailsport, the new Outback can now hold multiple 32-ounce Nalgene bottles.

“We wanted to hone in on having that youthful appearance because even some of our older owners are doing crazy adventurous stuff. We wanted to make sure this car felt fun, adventurous, and rugged, and really matched the personality of our owners.”

Focusing on Millennials

Many elements like the single-weave fabric dash and door accents on certain models were design decisions based on Millennial home decor trends.

“Millennials are looking for a ‘comfortable’ environment with soft touch materials, similar to the popular hygge trend,” the automaker told me. “With advancements in fabric technology, cloth no longer means ‘cheap’ but is an intentional design feel to offer a comfortable ‘Third Space’ in their vehicle.”

While the fabric may look funky and fun to some, I wonder how easily it’d clean up after dusty days on the trail if you have the windows rolled down. The fabric treatment is reminiscent of the 1991 right-hand-drive Mitsubishi Pajero 4x4 my husband and I own.

2026 Subaru Outback Exterior Intent

Subaru’s goal was to focus on cargo capacity, drivability, and comfort. The new Outback retains wagon-like dimensions but echoes an SUV with its broad-nosed, boxy style.

The Outback’s length, width, wheelbase, and ground clearance are relatively unchanged. “The styling kind gives you a bit of a trick of the eye that we’ve made it much bigger,” Nicole said. “But the only metric that we’ve really moved on is the height.”

Subaru received a lot of feedback that people loved the Outback and wanted to buy one, but they were too tall.

So that was one metric they improved. Subaru made the 2026 Outback taller, but didn’t compromise the vehicle’s ingress, egress, or ease of entry.

Ladder-style roof rails, only available on the Wilderness trim for the ‘25 model year, is now standard on the new Outback.

Additionally, the 2026 Outback’s side roof rails now has a static-weight capacity of 800 lbs. (up from 700 lbs.), perfect for larger rooftop tents and other gear.

The roof rails also offer a 220-pound lateral load allowance for hammock camping or to mount a hefty awning. The Outback roof rail system features measurement lines, making it easy to install crossbars, roof boxes, and more.

The previous Outback’s silver rear fascia bar is deleted, giving the “appearance of more ground clearance.” The new 2026 Outback bumper also is hitch ready vs. the previous Outback. You don’t have to cut the bumper to install the hitch anymore.

To make the moxy design more aerodynamic, Subaru made a host of tweaks. Those include front-and-rear air outlets, a specifically designed roof spoiler improving high-speed stability, and “shark skin” and “golf ball” textures in certain exterior areas.

Subaru’s goal was to create a clean-line aesthetic. This taller Outback still includes a lot of body cladding but it’s both angular and bold in style yet gestural and feminine with curved elements in some places.

Same Size, Sort Of

The 2026 Subaru Outback surprisingly retains the same wheelbase measurement as the outgoing model, but narrows its width by .2 inches, and decreases its length by the same amount. However, it adds 1.4 inches of height (up to 67.5 inches vs. the previous gen at 66.1 inches, both including roof rails).

This strategic move increases headroom and cargo space and solves two problems. The additional room gives occupants more headroom. It also allows for more cargo space (34.6 cu. ft. vs. 32.6). Subaru also added more hooks for securing cargo. Here’s the dimensional breakdown:

2025 previous-generation Outback:

• Wheelbase: 108.1 in.
• Length: 191.9 in.
• Width: 74.2 in. (without mirrors)
• Height (incl. roof rails) 66.1 in.

2026 all-new Outback:

• Wheelbase: 108.1 in. (same)
• Length: 191.7 in. (-0.2”)
• Width: 74.0 in. (with mirrors: 82.9 in., -0.2”)
• Height (incl. roof rails) 67.5 in. (+1.4”)

Interior Design and Tech Enhancements

The 2026 Subaru Outback’s interior also got a significant design overhaul. We now have physical HVAC buttons!

Outback’s front storage/smartphone charging pocket is larger, more than double what it was previously. Its USB ports are now toward the front so they’re easy to access (vs. stashed in the cubby’s rear area).

Subaru also redesigned the cup holders and added a cord management clip to keep charge cords out of the way. It’s wide and deep.

There is a new multi-use cargo cover boasting several modes to help keep things organized: partition mode, step cover mode, and panic mode.

They’ve also made improvements on sound deadening, modifying things like roof rail design, the AC compressor, and more. Improvements in this department are welcome, especially if you’re an avid off roader.

Outback’s seats are completely redesigned and comfortable with just enough support. They include improved rigidity in the seat back, more ergonomic foam and focused heating, and the elimination seat brackets, reducing vibrations and occupant fatigue. Easy-to-clean StarTex upholstery is used cabin-wide.

Along with lots of safety features, there is a new 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster. It provides customizable views and an adaptive cruise control display, standard on all trims. An all-new 12.1-inch multimedia infotainment system gives better brightness and higher resolution, too. It also reduces glare by as much as 80% compared to the previous gen’s smaller center display.

I didn’t notice much sun reflecting off the screen while driving it in a variety of conditions. But I wish piano black finishes would go away across the board because of glare issues and its easy-scratching and dust/fingerprint-ridden nature.

Thankfully the new Outback keeps this to a minimum. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are also included.

New tech is also here, with features like hands-free drive assist, emergency stop assist with safe lane selection, upgraded DriverFocus Distraction Mitigation System, new advanced EyeSight driver assist technologies, and more. Check each trim level for full tech features, some are available only in top trims.

Driving Dirt with the 2026 Subaru Outback

The 2026 Subaru Outback has a revised 2.5-liter 4-cylinder BOXER engine with Premium, Limited, and Touring models generating 180 horsepower and 178 pound-feet of torque. Higher turbo trims bump up to 260 horsepower and 277 pound-feet of torque.

All trims have an 18-gallon fuel tank. Our Limited XT’s tester has an EPA rating of 21 city, 29 highway, and 24 combined. Non-turbo models are 25 city, 31 highway, and 27 combined.

• 8.7 in. ground clearance (Wilderness: 9.5 in.).
• Approach angle: 18.0 deg. (Wilderness: 20 deg.)
• Departure angle: 21.4 deg., Limited XT/Touring XT: 22.5 deg. (Wilderness: 23.6 deg.)
• Breakover angle: 19.4 deg. (Wilderness: 21.2 deg.)

Driving the all-new 2026 Subaru Outback felt comfortable, capable, and surefooted. Outback’s driving dynamics were refined, and, well, just Subaru. Everything just worked and worked well.

X-Mode Snow/Dirt and hill descent control is now a physical button on the steering wheel vs. the top band on the infotainment screen (thank you!). And, when coupled with Subaru’s symmetrical all-wheel-drive system, the Outback made most trails and hill scrambles relatively easy.

Paddle shifters and an 8-speed manual shifting mode help in this department, giving me more control over tricky terrain. Note: The length of time to manually shift the new Outback varies if you’re in D mode (vs. Manual). It depends on brake/accelerator usage and the slope or grade of the car’s surface.

Sadly, true stick shifts haven’t been available with Outback for about a decade (although our personal 2022 Crosstrek is still a manual transmission).

I covered lots of ground as we left Sedona and made our way up Mingus Mountain to our rendezvous point of 7,800 feet above sea level.

The newly minted Outback made short work of off-camber tracks and didn’t jostle me around much on rocky bits, especially when I preloaded its suspension before them by left-foot braking through those areas. Note: This suspension has the same components as previous MY25 units.

The 2026 Outback didn’t feel much bigger than it looked, and visibility was adequate from all angles. The hood was relatively easy for me to see over, I’m 5’-4” tall. Although the seat was moved upward to its max height to get there.

Other Impressions

Our turbo-powered Deep Emerald Green Pearl Limited XT Outback (also Touring XT) wore new 19” wheels and 255/55R19 Bridgestone all-season tires. 

This is the first time Outback has ridden on rolling stock this large. However, I’d favor a solid all-terrain tire and smaller wheel setup for off-pavement duties instead. Lower trims get 18-inch wheels with Dunlop tires and thicker sidewalls.

The new Outback takes a cue from the smaller Impreza/WRX/Crosstrek and now features dual pinion electric power-assisted steering. This setup provides you more direct steering input, no matter if you’re on the interstate or on the trail. The steering felt balanced and even in all conditions.

If you’re looking for underbody protection, you’ll need to add aftermarket skid plates, like those we used for our transcontinental TransAmerica Trail effort from Oregon manufacturer Primitive Racing (we’re sure they’ll offer them).

The new Outback employs plastic guards, but are changed from the previous generation.

Vibrations and rattles were kept to a minimum while traversing trails. However, a pesky cupholder noise was evident on rocky terrain.

I drove a pre-production unit, and while materials are finalized for each trim level, pre-production models may not reflect the final build quality of production vehicles. I chock it up to that.

Highway endeavors are pleasing, with a comfortable ride and little road noise. There’s enough power when you need it, though I always wish there was more for faster pick up.

There are plenty of storage areas, too, thanks to the redesign.

The Online Consensus

I asked the social media world what they thought of the overall exterior design. Responses were polarized. Some liked it but many didn’t, at least not initially.

Multiple people thought it looked similar in size to the Forester or they said they’re planning to keep their older Subaru longer after seeing the all-new version.

Others are looking forward to seeing it in person or are excited about potentially buying one. Some people thought the vehicle was overdesigned, especially the wheel-well cladding and front-end areas.

Here are some people’s thoughts (some current owners, some not):

• It looks much better. It doesn’t look like an ugly crossover anymore. However, I do miss the old wagon style.
• Dashboard brilliant. Interior very nice. Exterior is way too fussy with overdone details, especially the cladding around the wheels. I welcome the boxy SUV profile.
• They’ve gone away from Subaru’s traditional low hood line, made possible by the boxer engine. Looks way too big.
• I like it. Definitely the end of an era. For the first time, it isn’t a wagon version of the Legacy. I think it is quite practical and if I had to replace my 2023 Accord, it would definitely be on the list. The one thing I don’t like is how the headlights are divorced from the DRLs.
• Nope, too angular for me. The interior is better looking than this exterior.
• Although I will always be a wagon fan, evolution is a fact of life, adapt or disappear. I’m in no rush to replace my beloved 2018 Outback, this isn’t awful.

Love It or Leave It

Like its debut at NYIAS, it seems initial thoughts are either to love it or leave it, at least until the styling might warm up to you.

If the 2026 Outback is your jam and you’re interested in buying one, the MSRP on our green Limited XT is $44,365. Add to that a $395 upcharge for the paint color and $1,450 for destination and delivery (D+D), and you’re looking at $46,210 for this mid-level trim.

They nixed the base model, so the “entry-level” Premium starts at $34,995, Limited at $41,715, Touring at $45,395, Limited XT at $44,365, and Touring XT at $47,995 (for base paint colors, excluding D+D).

Will Subaru’s bold, all-new 2026 Outback redesign be a hit or fall short of their decisive effort for an all-important seventh-generation update? Go big or go home, as the saying goes. And while Subaru hasn’t made the new Outback much larger, it’s definitely gone big on the styling changes. Time will tell whether these big changes equate to big sales.

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