Even the Subaru Outback high-riding wagon is not safe from the resurgence in boxy SUVs, the new model bringing bold looks and a boost in technology.
The next-generation 2026 Subaru Outback looks more like a conventional SUV than any model before it, with available turbo power and a Wilderness off-road edition.
It is yet to be locked in for Australia – and while the new Outback will be exclusively produced in Japan, it will not be sold in Subaru's home market, and a right-hand-drive version is yet to be confirmed.
Revealed overnight at the New York motor show, the first new Outback in six years adopts a boxier look that moves further from the high-riding wagon look of the past five generations.
There is a new interior that offers larger displays – including digital instruments for the first time – yet more physical buttons, after the outgoing model moved the air conditioning controls onto the touchscreen.
It is due in US Subaru showrooms in late 2025, ahead of the Wilderness off-road flagship's arrival early next year.
Subaru says the new Outback "retains its signature proportions", but squares off its edges, and adds 51mm to the roof height for more interior space.
There are chunkier bumpers, new LED lights front and rear, more prominent Subaru branding, and standard roof rails with 363kg static and 100kg dynamic load ratings, plus a 100kg lateral load rating with crossbars installed.
Exclusive to the Wilderness edition are unique front and rear bumpers, a black grille with 'SUBARU' script, extra body cladding, copper-coloured highlights, hexagonal LED fog lights, and 17-inch wheels with all-terrain tyres.
It claims greater off-road capability, with 20mm more ground clearance (241mm vs 221mm), and off-road angles of 20-degree approach, 21.2-degree breakover, and 22.5-degree departure – up from 18, 19.4, and 21.4 degrees respectively on the regular Outback.
Inside, the Outback debuts a new dashboard design that is likely to spread to other Subaru models – much like today's model debuted the look now seen in every four-door car the company makes.
The 11.6-inch portrait touchscreen is gone, and two new displays are fitted – a 12.1-inch infotainment touchscreen and a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster.
The air-conditioning controls have moved to a bank under the touchscreen, with physical buttons and dials for all functions, rather than a mix of temperature hard-keys, and touch controls for other features.
New software is seen on the touchscreen, with a vertical menu bar along its side, cloud-based satellite navigation, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity.
It bears a resemblance to the layout of Toyota's latest infotainment software, but if they are related – as Toyota owns 20 per cent of Subaru – the Outback's system has been reskinned with unique graphics.
Available features include nappa leather trim, a wireless phone charger, heated and ventilated seats, a sunroof, and a 360-degree camera.
Subaru says the door pockets can fit larger bottles (32 ounces, or 946mL), and the front cupholders can better hold small or large drinks.
There is a new clip for the front passenger to route phone charging cables through from the two USB ports without getting in the driver's way.
Boot space has grown by a claimed 57 litres to 980 litres – likely measured to the roof, behind the rear seats – with a cargo area said to be 51mm taller than before, and at 1100mm, wider than unnamed rivals.
Movable tie-down points in the boot are said to be able to support 3kg each.
Recycled materials have been used in the headlining – created from 12 plastic bottles – and the washable cargo cover, which can also be used as a partition, or a cover for the rear bumper when loading the car.
The Japanese car maker promises more headroom front and rear, new seats claimed to reduce fatigue – with an extendable thigh cushion for the driver – and less tyre roar and wind noise than before.
Power comes from a familiar choice of 2.5-litre non-turbo or 2.4-litre turbo four-cylinder 'boxer' engines, matched with a continuously-variable automatic transmission and all-wheel drive.
Outputs in US models are 134kW/241Nm and 194kW/376Nm respectively, the former down 2kW but up 2Nm, and the latter unchanged for the American market – but up on the 183kW/350Nm the turbo engine currently makes in Australia.
Ground clearance remains 221mm, but there are now 19-inch wheels on flagship models – an Outback first – revised X-Mode off-road drive modes, and a centre differential that's said to lock faster than before.
A new dual-pinion steering rack derived from the WRX sports sedan has also been added, claimed to provide better low-speed handling.
US models are capable of semi-autonomous highway driving at speeds up to 137km/h (85mph) – with the driver's hands off the steering wheel, but eyes on the road – alongside assisted highway lane changes.
Emergency Stop Assist technology – capable of bringing the car to a halt on the side of the road if the driver is detected to be incapacitated – has been introduced, and there are new cameras for the safety systems.
The 2026 Subaru Outback is due in US showrooms later this year.
"Subaru’s latest global unveilings at the New York International Auto Show provide an exciting glimpse into the brand’s future. We look forward to sharing what these global debuts mean for the Australian market in due course. Stay tuned," a Subaru Australia spokesperson said.
Alex Misoyannis has been writing about cars since 2017, when he started his own website, Redline. He contributed for Drive in 2018, before joining CarAdvice in 2019, becoming a regular contributing journalist within the news team in 2020. Cars have played a central role throughout Alex’s life, from flicking through car magazines at a young age, to growing up around performance vehicles in a car-loving family. Highly Commended - Young Writer of the Year 2024 (Under 30) Rising Star Journalist, 2024 Winner Scoop of The Year - 2024 Winner
