Subaru unveils 2026 Outback: more SUV, less wagon

As carmakers continue to push out new and more innovative designs, Subaru has joined the race with its brand-new 2026 Outback that brings both familiar and novel elements for the model’s fans in what appears to be a hybrid between its station wagon origins and modern SUVs.

Indeed, Subaru revealed its new Outback 2026 model at the New York International Auto Show, and it does look more like a boxy SUV than the high-riding wagon many have gotten used to, judging by the images and the video shared by the company on April 16.

Specifically, the 2026 Subaru Outback has kept the traditional Subaru features, such as the standard all-wheel drive and a flat-four-cylinder engine, but its body now looks more like a two-row mid-size SUV, the familiar sloped roof that gives way to the more raised (by 2 inches), flatter roofline for the sake of more interior storage space and headroom.

Speaking of the interior, Subaru has done major redesigns here as well, making it appear more contemporary with premium-looking materials and a new dual-panel digital instrument bundle, as well as adding a modern infotainment setup with a digital readout and physical climate controls under the central display.

The 12.1-inch infotainment screen runs on a newly developed processor that makes it speedier and more customizable, sporting a quick-access menu bar at the top of the touchscreen for switching between navigation, music, and phone operations, with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as a standard, and a cloud-based voice recognition system for certain speech-controlled functions.

2026 Subaru Outback specifications

Under the hood, the 2026 Outback offers a choice between two four-cylinder engines – a standard 180-hp 2.5-liter or an optional 260-hp turbocharged 2.4-liter available in the upper-level XT trims (Limited XT and Touring XT) and standard in the trail-friendly Wilderness version.

Either way, the engine arrives alongside a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT), a standard all-wheel drive, 8.7 inches of ground clearance, and selectable variable-terrain drive modes. Per Subaru, the new Outback has borrowed its steering components from the rally-adjacent WRX, with special tuning for better low-speed maneuvering and high-speed stability.

Finally, in terms of safety and driver assistance, all Outback 2026 models include Subaru’s state-of-the-art EyeSight suite with forward-collision warning and automated emergency braking, adaptive cruise control with lane-assist, optional blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alerts, and driver-supported highway hands-free driving up to 85 mph.

Meanwhile, the company expects its 2026 Subaru Outback to hit the car salons in late 2025.

Featured image courtesy of Subaru website and 2026 Outback press release.